Yahoo Sports Brentford publishes 2024/25 fan engagement plan
Brentford has published its fan engagement plan for the 2024/25 season.
The plan describes the approach to fan engagement and our priorities for the season, in line with the Premier League’s Fan Engagement Standard guidelines.
The 2023/24 season saw a number of positive steps taken to grow and reward the relationship with our fans, and our achievements were published in our fan engagement report in July this year.
We saw that our efforts are appreciated by our fans after we increased our score in the Premier League’s matchday fan experience survey from 80.7 (out of 100) in the 2022/23 season to 83.1 in 2023/24, surpassing the Premier League average of 69.5. Brentford also ranked highest of all Premier League teams in Think Fan Engagement’s Fan Engagement Index for the 2023/24 season.
Despite this, we want to improve further. Delivering excellent fan engagement is fundamental to living our club values of togetherness, respectful and progressive.
Brentford fans’ voices are invaluable in guiding the direction of the club. We remain the only club in the Premier League with a fans’ representative on the main Brentford FC board of directors, a position held by Stuart Hatcher, chair of Bees United.
The club has evolved its approach to fan engagement, adding a new underlying focus on fan communication to the existing areas of fan consultation and involvement, fan experience, fan behaviour and fan support.
Our fan communication work will focus on how we can maintain a sense of pride and trust in being a Brentford fan, delivering clear information on ticketing, stadium and matchday issues and policies, and awareness of our fan engagement activities. We will continually review our communications channels for improvements and to make sure information is accessible to all.
The plan also includes a detailed explanation of what fans can expect from Brentford’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) in the coming season.
The FAB is currently made up of eight representatives from the club’s two main official supporters’ groups: Brentford Independent Association of Supporters (BIAS) and Bees United, including a co-chair from each group. This season the FAB will also look at including new representatives from other fan groups, to bring in additional expertise and help ensure that our wider fanbase is represented.
In line with the Premier League Fan Engagement Standard, the FAB will meet a minimum of twice a year, with the aim to meet four times per season. Details on the topics that may be addressed at FAB meetings are included in the plan.
Brentford fan and community relations director, Sally Stephens, added: “We’re very proud of what we achieved last season thanks in no small part to the contributions made by fans working with us on our FAB, in working groups and anyone who’s taken the time to respond to surveys throughout the season.
“But there’s still work to do. We want to continue to ensure our fans are the heart of everything we do. I’m looking forward to building on our success with another season of positive, purposeful collaboration with Bees supporters.
“Thank you to all our fans for your ongoing support for our fan engagement activity, whether on matchday, online or at other club events. We look forward to sharing more information about fan engagement opportunities throughout the season.”
“We’re very proud of what we achieved last season thanks in no small part to the contributions made by fans... but there’s still work to do. We want to continue to ensure our fans are the heart of everything we do'
Responding to the fan engagement plan, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said: “At Brentford FC, togetherness is one of our greatest strengths. The bond between our players, directors, staff and fans defines us. Every cheer, every chant, it all matters - when we’re all on top form together, we can achieve anything as a club!
“Success comes from togetherness. Engaging and involving our fans is essential to building the support that will drive us to achieve great things. It has given us some top, top days and nights in recent years. I want every fan to know that they play their part at Brentford."
