West Ham’s supporter engagement during the COVID pandemic has been recognised with a Silver Award at the 2021 Sports Business Awards.
Staged at The Oval in London, the Hammers took Silver in the Best Fan Engagement Programme During COVID-19 category, while Harlequins Rugby Union were awarded Bronze and Everton Gold.
Whilst coronavirus has changed the way we live and work in so many ways, West Ham’s focus has been to support our fans during this uniquely challenging and unprecedented time.
The Club’s Supporter Services and Marketing & Communications team has delivered a fan-centric strategy since the start of the pandemic. Digital activation, user-generated digital activations and personalised contact from Club staff has been at the forefront of adapting our fan initiatives.
This was part of an effort to connect directly with our fans, create a community feel across the Club’s channels and remind fans that they were not alone whilst supporting from home.
The Club has engaged, supported and championed our supporters from across the Claret and Blue fanbase across a whole host of initiatives.
From the Hammers at Home daily activities for supporters of all ages during the Spring 2020 lockdown, to highlighting the work done by our Hammers Heroes in the community, delivering a Virtual Open Training Session and making phone calls to Season Ticket Holders over 70 and Accessible Supporters – with David Moyes and Declan Rice among those to check in with fans – alongside many more programmes our work with supporters was at the forefront during a difficult time for everyone.
Whether that has been vulnerable people, our elderly Season Ticket Holders, young, local or international Hammers fans, the Club has made every effort to reach out and offer support.