It is very easy to just see a football club for its well-paid footballers and stressed managers and coaches, and consequently very easy to forget that behind this curtain of wealth and tournaments there is a well-oiled machine keeping every club going. On 7th November Chelsea FC hosted the second annual Football Business Awards. This was not a night for celebrating the highest goal scorer, or the club with the most trophies; this was an opportunity to reward clubs that have excelled off the pitch.
Behind the playing, there is success in the business aspect of football, the positive impact of football in the community and the importance of having businesses behind the game. This year a judging panel of CEOs from the most respected football clubs in the country were gathered to reward various clubs on their business activities. The categories covered everything from the best marketing campaign, to the best use of technology and the best CEO.
Throughout the evening were awards commending social media and marketing in football. Fans can assume that the running of social media in football clubs is done on instinct, but as we well know behind the Twitter and Facebook page is a well-planned social media strategy.
With that in mind the winner of the Best Use of Social Media in Football went to Opta. Similarly the Best UK Club Marketing Campaign, which was sponsored by our sister company Sports Revolution went to Aston Villa Football Club and their campaign ‘the Missing 15’ with Antony Marcou presenting the award.
The beauty of the evening is that people, clubs and businesses get celebrated for their outstanding achievements in football that would otherwise go unrecognised. So, with that in mind, we may have quietly attended the awards this year, but next year we’ll be hoping for some nominations!
