Kings Langley FC have been named as “hosting the best away day experience in non-league” as the club were crowned the inaugural winners of the Football Supporter Federation’s Away Day Experience of the Year award.
The award from the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) is an extension of the FSF’s Away Fans Matter Campaign, which encourages clubs to make travelling supporters more welcome.
The winners at each level were:
Step 1 – Tranmere Rovers FC
Step 2 – Bognor Regis Town FC
Step 3 – Kings Langley FC
Step 4 – Bamber Bridge FC
Recognising that facilities and resources vary at the different levels of the game, the FSF sought nominations at each of Steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the National League System for consideration. A judging panel decided the winning club at each level. These individual winners went forward for consideration for a national winner and Kings Langley FC were the unanimous choice of the judges as overall winners.
Kings Langley were up against some much bigger clubs but were clear winners in a tightly contested competition. Club chairman Jeremy Wilkins was delighted to receive the award and thanked supporters for nominating his club.
He said: “I am absolutely buzzing. We are only a small club and always try to make everybody feel welcome.”
On hearing that numerous Hereford FC fans nominated Kings Langley, Jeremy added: “Our first game of the season was against Hereford FC and a large number of supporters were expected, so we decided to push the boat out and really make sure that Hereford fans were made to feel welcome.”
Kings Langley director Darren Eliot and supporter Scott Robbins were presented with the club’s award at the National Game Awards held this week at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium.
FSF national game officer Andy Walsh said: “The FSF believes that away fans are vital to the health of the game and that all clubs should welcome visiting supporters.
“Kings Langley FC were praised by visiting supporters for how welcoming the club is, with supporters of more than one club saying how friendly everyone at Kings Langley was. On behalf of all football fans we want to acknowledge and thank the club for going the extra mile.”
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