West Ham beat fellow Premier League finalists Chelsea in the competition for ‘Best Marketing of a Football Club’ at the Football Business Awards yesterday. The awards, hosted at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium, are open to clubs from all across Britain, and recognise the work that is done off the pitch by each football club, ranging from their community engagement to their use of online technology.
The ‘Best Marketing of a Football Club’ award, recognised the fact that West Ham have faced a huge challenge in the past year ensuring that the move to the Club’s new Stadium is a success, planning a fitting farewell to the Boleyn Ground, and continuing to expand West Ham’s global reach.
Pictured left to right picking up the award last night is graphics designer Neil Felton, Sophie Bradley, Communications manager, Sir Trevor Brooking, Marketing and Communications Director, Tara Warren, Marketing manager,Dan Huson and friend of Claret and Hugh, Paul Stringer, West Ham’s Press and Media manager.
Tara Warren said she was proud of her team and their achievement: “We are delighted to have won the ‘Best Marketing of a Football Club’ award, it’s a wonderful recognition for the team.
“I find it easy to talk every day about just how great West Ham United is because I truly believe in the vision of our Joint-Chairmen and Vice-Chairman and the exciting direction this great club is heading in under their stewardship.
“I would like to thank them and Karren in particular for allowing creativity and innovation to flourish at the Club.
“Success in our activity off the pitch is crucial as it produces the revenue that is required to generate success on it.
“Our Board re-invest every penny we generate back into the playing squad and into keeping ticket prices as low as possible for our fans. And we are now reaping the benefits of that strategy, turning two consecutive annual profits and boasting arguably the best playing squad in recent memory thanks to their prudent investments.
“We run a tight ship and do not utilise external marketing agencies, preferring instead to focus on employing the best people and investing in their development.
“What gives us the most satisfaction from our work is that we get to serve the West Ham United fans, who are the best in the country and provide a constant source of inspiration
“We now have an incredible two years coming up, but the most exciting thing of all is that the best is yet to come.”
In an amusing twist the awards were hosted by BBC football pundit, Mark Lawrenson, and chief football reporter for BT Sport, Ray Stubbs.
I feel sick.
Marketing in football is B######t, the only way to market a football club is by buying good players and winning games, like this season.
I’ve never met a football fan who after seeing an advert thought
“I might go football”
Best way the club coukd save money is sack everyone in marketing spend that money on players, then the fans will come.
Lovely, all well and good but i would rather win a trophy on a football pitch, it’s been a long time..