Our roundup of Football League clubs given Family Excellence awards this yearI used to watch Gillingham play with my dad and brother as a child in the late 70s/early 80s and remember the thrill of having my name read out on my birthday and hearing them play my favourite song – Don’t Stand So Close To Me by the Police. There was a sense that children were begrudgingly tolerated in this adult world – the language was salty, the food was saltier still and there were no separate family areas to speak of, but it was great fun if a bit edgy (even though to avoid the “crowds” we always left the ground five minutes before the end of the game and heard the seemingly inevitable roar from outside the stadium when the Gills scored).How times have changed. A record-breaking 44 football teams have been awarded Family Excellence awards by the English Football League this year – 61% of clubs. Two mystery shopper-style family visits were made to each club – one as a home fan and another as an away fan and the whole experience was considered alongside family pricing structures, the quality of the club’s website, catering and other factors. Related: My son, the football fan Continue readingreadfullarticle
