Survey sees fans vote for the top 20 changes they would most love to see in English football

A new survey sees as many as 2,000 fans vote for the top 20 changes they would most love to see in English football.

It found that 54% of the respondents believe their experience on away days could be enhanced, with many fans taking issue with inconvenient kick-off times. One in four fans indicated that prioritising better scheduling is essential. This would potentially increase attendance and improve the overall fan experience.

There’s a strong desire for clubs to offer more support for fans traveling to away games, which could include subsidised or organised transport, or even unique travel experiences like the helicopter ride which was recently done for Salford City fans (more on that further down the article).

67% of participants reported feeling increasingly regarded as an ‘afterthought’ by football authorities, with with trouble tracking down tickets also contributing to the challenges faced by even the most dedicated supporters in attending matches.

This research was commissioned by the UK shot brand Fireball, which arranged a helicopter trip for four Salford fans to attend their recent match against Newport County, with co-owner of Salford, Paul Scholes, accompanying the supporters as they made the 400-mile round trip to South Wales.

Incredible that Salford’s entire away support came via helicopter on Tuesday! https://t.co/WtXAwy7MHF

— Diesel (@diesel_y2j) October 4, 2024

Scholes said: “We wanted to show fans that we massively value their support both home and away, and want to make the game day experience as fun and exhilarating for them as possible.

“We’re already known for offering subsidised away travel, something which this research shows football fans clearly care about.”

The introduction or expansion of safe standing terraces in stadiums has been a recurring demand with fans feeling this could lead to a better atmosphere.

There’s considerable debate around VAR (Video Assistant Referee), with many fans suggesting it should be banned or at least improved. Allowing managers to challenge decisions, similar to other sports, has also been floated as an idea to potentially rectify on-field decisions more effectively.

There is suggestions of improvement when it comes to fan engagement and atmosphere, by creating ultra sections, tifos for big games, and overall improvements in pre and post-game environments to enhance the atmosphere.

They also want to see better facilities like toilets, less crowded areas, and more food and drink options.

Fans are concerned about the rising cost of attending matches, suggesting that ticket prices should be more accessible, especially for away games. There’s also a call for less restriction on bringing food into stadiums, addressing concerns over high food prices inside venues.

Top 20 changes football fans would like to see in the game

– Introduce a salary cap for all teams.
– Greater travel support from clubs in getting to away games.
– Bring back/increase the number of safe standing terraces in stadiums.
– Better scheduling of away games.
– Banning VAR.
– Allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions.
– Ban foreign ownership of clubs.
– Letting fans drink alcohol at their seats in stadium.
– Half time cheerleader shows.
– Create an All-Star game with the league’s best players.
– Digital billboards showing funny football memes and live tweets mid-game.
– Getting rid of offsides so there are more goals.
– The chance for regular people in the crowd to get brought onto the pitch.
– Superbowl-style half time musical performances.
– Post-match fireworks.
– Letting fans decide substitutions by live-voting.
– Introduce pre-game penalty shootouts to break potential ties.
– Increase goal sizes to encourage more goals.
– Introduce multi-ball for the last 10 minutes of the game.
– Fancy-dress themed matches.

Lorenzo Farronato, a spokesperson for Fireball Whisky, said: “Our research has shown that the match-going experience isn’t always a party, especially for away games that often involve long journeys, late nights and high costs.

“We think game day – as well as all other experiences shared amongst friends – should be fun and that fans should always come first.

“Football is a dynamic and evolving sport, and fans are always seeking ways to make the game even more exciting.

“We brought the heat to midweek for Salford fans, we’ll continue to infuse more fun and mischief into the moments they share with us.”

Here’s the social media reaction as a survey sees fans vote for the rule changes they would most love to see…

Mark Dean: Get rid of VAR it wasn’t needed and isn’t wanted. I would much rather the ref makes an honest mistake from his one look at an incident than VAR making simple mistakes after a 5 minute review. Football is a in the moment game and VAR ruins that.

Bold John: The game would be better without the constant involvement of agents, prolonged transfer speculation, prolonged speculation about the fate of managers, speculation about punishments for rule breaches (just impose the punishment at the start of the season), lawyers, idiotic media pundits, and publicity hungry celebrities. Televised football should be scheduled with much longer notice to and much greater consideration of paying supporters.

Ian Today-Hatton: It’s quicker to say what I like about modern day football at the top levels…… nothing. Lower level sadly though is getting all play out from the back and diving. One major plus point for non league is no VAR, ok referees might get it wrong, but, it’s better than having to wait for someone in an office 200 miles away to check whether a toenail or nasal hair was offside or not.

Jamie Bassnett: Playing out from the extreme back line and putting yourself immediately under pressure.

John Eccles: VAR – kick off times that are as inconvenient as possible for away fans- keepers falling to ground wasting time – taking it t’corner- 30 second injury rule- liner keeping flag down when it’s blatant offside- feigning head injury to get game stopped- oh and if y’ know y’know… MArsden Rhodes Middleton! bit of cardboard with “can I have your shirt “ should be a life ban

Paul Robert Tighe-Dyer: I actually think there’s too much of it. Oddly. Sometimes there’s a match on sky/bt etc every night. I actually preferred just Sunday tv games maybe odd one midweek. It’s OTT

Phil Hayes: When I hear that the pampered, prima Donna premiership players are tired. Non league players have day jobs and play for the love of the game. If anyone should be tired it’s them.

Morgan Armstrong: Players literally screaming when throwing themselves to the ground to win free kicks and get the opposition player booked/sent off.

David Hunter: Simple …. VAR. It has ruined the game.

Chris Savage: What annoys me with modern football is when ever there is a corner either side result to holding around the waist etc pulling shirts the referee should point to the penalty spot straight away perhaps they wouldn’t do it again

James Spencer: It feels like now clubs “buy” the trophies rather than earn them. Pretty much rich clubs always in the title race.

Do you agree with the outcome of this survey, which sees fans vote for the top 20 changes they would most love to see in English football? Let us know via our socials!