DAVID CUFFLEY Norwich City have pulled off a notable double at the 2007 Football League Awards, incorporating FourFourTwo's Top 50 Football League Players. The Canaries received the best club marketing campaign award, sponsored by CSI Sports, and the best community initiative award, sponsored by the Football Foundation, at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, last night.
DAVID CUFFLEY
Norwich City have pulled off a notable double at the 2007 Football League Awards, incorporating FourFourTwo's Top 50 Football League Players.
The Canaries received the best club marketing campaign award, sponsored by CSI Sports, and the best community initiative award, sponsored by the Football Foundation, at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, last night.
The marketing award was for their Soccer PM! campaign, encouraging supporters and their families to attend Norwich City reserve games. The brand has also been extended to make discounted children's tickets available for first team games, stage roadshow tours and away days to provide discounted away travel for under-16s.
Craig Smith, editor of Marketing Magazine, a judge on the category, said: “Norwich City's Soccer PM! was well integrated, well thought through with a clear line from objective through execution to results.”
Will Hoy, customer services representative, said: “We're absolutely delighted to receive this recognition. We try to do the best we can and give something back to the under-16 supporters.”
The community initiative award was for City's Ability Counts initiative, which has been designed to improve the matchday experience for disabled supporters, and to encourage people with disabilities to take part in playing the game through specially designed coaching sessions, grand prix leagues, soccer centres, community groups and festivals.
Dennis Leman, deputy chief community officer at Football in the Community, a judge on the category, said Norwich had an “outstanding disability programme that reaches relatively high numbers of disabled participants and also embraces quality provision for disabled supporters.”
City's disability officer, Darren Lovell, said: “It's extremely pleasing for Norwich City and the club's Football in the Community scheme to get this award. It reflects well on the club and it's one of the highlights of our season.
“Our Ability Counts programme, which is in the third year of a four-year programme, has this year involved over 2,500 children and adults with physical and learning disabilities and the scheme is proving a great success.”
Top spot in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players went to West Bromwich Albion midfielder, Jason Koumas, followed by Dave Nugent, of Preston North End, and Gareth Bale, of Southampton. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found in the April issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now.
Captions (pics in foto station)
Awards 1
Will Hoy, brand marketing manager for Norwich City and Peter Baitey, customer services representative, receive the Football league marketing award from Chris Guiness, chief executive officer of CSI Sports.
Awards 2
Darran Lovell, disabled officer, and Lindsay Flatt, disabled supporter co-ordinator for Norwich City, receive the Football League community award from Paul Phorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation.
Awards 3
Darran Lovell, disabled officer, and Lindsay Flatt, disabled supporter co-ordinator for Norwich City, with their Football League community award.
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