EFL chief speaks out after new Portsmouth announcement
Portsmouth have made strides on and off the pitch this season.
Pompey enjoyed a successful return to the Championship this season, with John Mousinho’s side securing their survival by finishing 16th.
Fratton Park undoubtedly played a crucial role in Portsmouth securing their Championship status for another season after they returned to the second tier of English football for the first time in 12 years by securing promotion in the 2023-24 season.
On the pitch, Portsmouth boasted an excellent home record that was the eighth best in the division.
However, Fratton Park has also gained plaudits from the EFL for another reason.
Portsmouth receive EFL award
The club have been credited with a Family Excellence Silver Award for the 2024/25 campaign.
The award is distributed for providing an excellent matchday experience for families. The scheme awards clubs with either gold, silver, or bronze status.
To earn the award, clubs receive visits on two occasions throughout the season from assessors. They then evaluate the matchday experience for families from the moment they purchase tickets until they eventually leave the stadium after the game.
Speaking about the award in quotes reported by Portsmouth’s official website (21 May), EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch said: “We are incredibly proud of the effort all our clubs put in to ensure the matchday experience is a welcoming and enjoyable one for all families.
“To see more clubs than ever before receive Family Excellence recognition is testament to the unforgettable day out our clubs work hard to deliver for families up and down the country.
“The scheme is designed to support clubs and we have seen it help them to expand their ever-growing fanbases and attract the next generation of supporters.”
More reasons to celebrate for Pompey
Championship survival was the ultimate goal for Portsmouth before a ball was kicked this season, and it is something that was comfortably achieved in the end.
Some supporters may feel that awards such as the Family Excellence Silver Award hold little significance in the grand scheme of things.
However, ensuring your stadium is a place suitable for families helps breed the next generation of Pompey supporters that will be filling up Fratton Park for years to come.
Too often at Championship level, we see big, historic clubs struggle to attract large attendances.
This can lead to some fan bases becoming disillusioned with their club, particularly when they have been stuck in the same tier of English football for multiple years.
Portsmouth fans know all too well the pain of being stuck in the lower divisions of the EFL and it should be viewed with pride that the club are being recognised for its matchday work.
If Pompey want to propel their way up the Championship and hopefully back into the Premier League eventually, then a thriving Fratton Park will be a big reason for their success.