Football League Consulting With Fans

The Football League is giving fans throughout the country the opportunity to help shape the future of professional football with the launch of a major new supporter consultation.

The Football League Supporters Survey 2008 lets fans have their say on a range of important football issues, from the use of goal-line technology and quotas for home-grown players to refereeing standards and kick-off times.

Supporters will also be asked their views on the club they support. This will include issues surrounding the matchday experience such as ticket prices, food & drink and stewarding, as well as wider issues such as whether fans feel valued by their club and the importance they place on Community and Youth Development programmes.

In launching The Football League Supporters Survey 2008 Lord Mawhinney, Chairman of The Football League, said:

'The views of football supporters are very important to The League and its clubs. This survey is an opportunity for fans to help guide us, as we move forward.

'The last survey we conducted, on this scale, was completed by more than 43,000 supporters. It provided an important barometer of supporter opinion and made a positive contribution to The League`s decision making process.

'In particular, supporters` views were influential as we developed our new Agents` regulations, which prohibited the previously common practice which allowed agents to represent a player and a club in the same transfer deal. They were also a factor in the decision to introduce a smoke-free policy at all League matches from the beginning of this season.

'I very much hope that supporters will to take this opportunity to make a difference, once again.'

In total, more than 500,000 outbound e-mails will be sent to registered supporters, asking them to contribute their views. Additionally, all other supporters will be able to participate on-line, via The Football League website: www.football-league.co.uk .

By completing the survey, which is being run in conjunction with sports research specialists SportsWise, supporters will also give themselves the opportunity to win tickets for this season`s Coca-Cola Football League Play-Off Finals at the new Wembley Stadium, with five pairs of tickets up for grabs.

The results of The Football League Supporters` Survey will be published in the New Year.