Football Business Awards 2012

On Thursday the 8th of November 2012, Chelsea FC played host to the inaugural Football Business Awards.

The evening was a delight and the venue was sumptuous and full of class. There were drinks and networking prior to the event in a lovely bar overlooking the immaculately kept pitch and goal posts. Then we were called into the lovely presentation area below the stadium where all the action was to take place.

Finding my seat amoungst the long, but impressive names of football, such as; Karen Brady, Bruce Buck, John Hollins, etc, it was most certainly humbling being in the presence of so many footballing icons. I was working for the London Football Association, networking and supporting the event at a local level; as The FA were supporting it on a national level. My seat was next to members of Sunderland Association Football Club, Martin Worrow (Supreme Engraving & Awards UK), Teamer and Zenit St. Petersburg FC. So, a very eclectic mix of people, which was enlightening. I must admit the conversation around the table was on a wide variety of topics.

"The Football Business Awards 2012 dinner was immensely enjoyable.  Besides giving us a forum to mix and converse with our colleagues, we were able to give due recognition to those in our industry who are at the top of their game." Bruce Buck, Chairman, Chelsea FC

The Evening was compaired by Sky Sports Presenter, Vicky Gommersall (left) and Comedian Ian Moore (right). Ian provided light entertainment prior to the awards, making the atmosphere very light-hearted and jovial, whilst Vicky, came on later in the evening to help announce and present the awards to the winners.

It was really nice seeing companies being rewarded for their Business initatives, and more specifically, their Marketing activities. A personal pleasure was seeing The FA win the award for Best Use of Social Media in Football, done for their efforts with the Women's Super League's social media activity - very deserved.

Above: FA representative collecting the Award for the 'Best Use of Social
Media in Football'.

The judges commented on their win by saying: "This was a very cost effective yet very impactful use of social media to tackle a very important challenge for the development of the women’s game which was sustainable over the whole season."

It was a night of celebrating the work of footballing companies who have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to make the most effective Marketing Campaigns, Sponsorships and Brand Awareness to help their clubs grow.

Well done to all of the award winners (listed below) and here's to the Football Business Awards 2013 - watch this space...

WINNERS...

• Best Club Marketing Campaign in the UK - Winner: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
• Best Business Serving Football (up to £2m Turnover) - Winner: STATSPORTS TECHNOLOGIES
• Highly Commended: PIGLETS PANTRY
• Best Use of Social Media in Football - Winner: THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
• Highly Commended: ARSENAL MEDIA GROUP
• Best Match Day Catering - Winner: AZURE part of ELIOR UK
• Best/Most Innovative Use of Technology by Clubs - Winner: MANCHESTER CITY FC
• Highly Commended: FC Internazionale Milano
• Best/Most Innovative Use of Technology (Football Business) - Winner: TEAMER
• Best Club Community Scheme - Winner: EVERTON IN THE COMMMUNITY
• Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme - Winner: STANDARD CHARTERED BANK "SEEING IS BELIEVING"
• Venue Team of The Year - Winner: THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
• Best Club Marketing Campaign Overseas - Winner: CORITIBA FOOT BALL CLUB
• Best Business Serving Football (Over £2m Turnover) - Winner: CONTINENTAL TYRE GROUP
• Best Professional Service Business Serving Football - Winner: REDBOXDESIGN GROUP
• Best Retail/Merchandise Initative - Winner: ASTON VILLA FC
• Club Sponsorship/Partnership of the Year - Winner: MANCHESTER CITY/EA SPORTS (Circle Agency)
• Sponsorship/Partnership of the Year (Football Business) - Winner: BARCLAYS Spaces for Sport & FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
• fcbusiness Magazine Football CEO of the Year Award - Winner: KAREN BRADY

For more information on the awards - CLICK HERE, and for more information on any of the award winners - CLICK HERE.