On Thursday night Dale Supporters Trust were represented by Scott Goulding (membership officer) & Ian Wright (logistics officer), at the prestigious Football Business Awards held at City Central HAC London, after being shortlisted in the ‘Best Club & Supporters Group Relationship’ category.
The Football Business Awards were established to recognise both the business units within the clubs responsible for commercial success and off-pitch activity and professional services and businesses dedicated to supporting clubs and the game itself.
The 2018 event presented by tv sports presenters Ed Chamberlain & Hayley McQueen, has gone from strength to strength with over 450 applauding the triumphs of this year’s winners. This was actually the first year, that the trust’s governing body Supporters Direct were invited to present the supporters group award.
Dale Trust were sat alongside six other Supporter Trusts/Groups – Cambridge United, Fulham, Portsmouth, Southend United and West Bromwich Albion, and their respective Club’s whom were recognised for their tremendous work together over the last year.
Claiming the inaugural ‘Club & Supporters Group Relationship of the Year’ award were Fulham, with Portsmouth second and West Brom third, however to be nominated was an achievement in itself and was a reflection of the good work that has gone on. The entry by Fulham FC and Fulham Supporters Trust showed a genuine commitment from both sides to work together and it was overwhelming evidence in this facet that secured the award.
Football giants such as Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United and Barcelona were amongst the award winners on the night, alongside outsiders such as Kew Park Rangers.
Also in attendance was former England & Arsenal defender Tony Adams, who received a special award for his work with Sporting Chance. And It was an emotional end to the evening as a lifetime contribution to the business of football was presented in memory of the Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
It wasn’t to be for us this year, but there’s always next!
