Millwall Football Club has been named Nickelodeon Family Club of the Year at the annual EFL Awards in London on Sunday evening.
The Lions collected the prestigious award for the first time in the club’s history.
A complete overhaul of the club’s strategy in attracting new young supporters and families to The Den began in the summer of 2013 when the new Zampa’s Family Stand was opened in The Dockers Upper.
For the first time it provided a dedicated area for families, equipped with games consoles, confectionary stalls, a mock dugout as well as face painters, regular drawing competitions and so much more.
Events inside Zampa’s Family Stand have improved year on year since then, as have activities on matchdays and non-matchdays elsewhere.
Pre-match Sports and Family Fun Zones have continued to be popular and away from The Den consistent improvements to the club’s player appearance schedule have paid dividends.
Chief executive Steve Kavanagh, who collected the trophy alongside marketing manager Samantha Catchpole and junior supporter and partnerships co-ordinator Nena Gibson, told millwallfc.co.uk: “It is a fantastic achievement to win this award and everyone associated with Millwall should be very proud.
“When I first arrived at this club it was very quickly apparent just how much thought and hard work went into fan engagement and making the matchday experience as good as it could possibly be for young supporters and their families.
“This club perhaps has to work harder than any other and it’s very pleasing for Millwall to have been recognised with what is a very distinguished award.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to all members of staff who have contributed along the way and of course to the supporters, without whom this isn’t possible.
“But it’s important that the club doesn’t rest on its laurels. This should provide a platform for even bigger and better things for years to come.”
The EFL Awards also saw Blackburn Rovers pick up the award for Championship Family Club of the Year whilst Stevenage took the prize for League Two.
Visit the EFL website for more information about the awards
