The Football League has launched a new campaign, for the 2008/09 season, aimed at encouraging even more families to attend matches at Victoria Park.
The 'Enjoy the Match' campaign aims to ensure parents can take their children to matches in a family friendly environment. It will focus on removing abusive language and aggressive behaviour from family areas.
Hartlepool United will proactively steward family areas and display prominent signage discouraging anti-social behaviour. Additionally, a PA announcement, voiced by local children, will be played before each match to encourage positive support.
In the run-up to the new season Hartlepool's manager and players have underlined their support by signing a pledge board which will be displayed in the family area of the ground. We encourage supporters to show their support for the campaign by signing the online pledge at www.enjoythematch.co.uk.
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson said "This is a great initiative for the supporters and we're very pleased to be involved. 'Enjoy the Match' will help to provide a positive family atmosphere at The Vic which will hopefully keep young fans coming through the gates.
"Every Club up and down the country is looking to increase the amount of young supporters they attract and this new venture is another way that we can all do that."
The Football League is supporting the campaign with a range of club guidance & resources, matchday programme ads, viral video and a promotional campaign.
Enjoy the Match has been introduced following a 'mystery shopper' exercise staged at all 72 League grounds last season. This exercise revealed that swearing formed a key negative impression on families at 46% of the 144 games assessed.
In launching 'Enjoy the Match' Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said:
"Young supporters will be the lifeblood of our clubs in years to come. It is therefore vitally important that we encourage more parents to bring their children into our grounds by creating a vibrant, family friendly atmosphere at all matches."
