Where does your club rank in the new fan engagement table?

Where does your club rank in new fan engagement table? In this article we find out just that for the 2019/2020 campaign.

Fan engagement consultant Kevin Rye, who compiled the index, said the results for the Premier League ‘big six’ showed they were “failing fans to some extent” but admitted “you did not need to look at the table for that” and “a lot of clubs aren’t exactly covering themselves in glory”.

All of those clubs except Tottenham, have apologised or showed regret for their part in the Super League. Chelsea announced earlier this week that three supporter advisors will attend board meetings “to ensure general supporter sentiment is considered” while Liverpool have met one of its supporters’ groups to discuss changes to its structure.

It all comes in advance of a government-led fan review, which will consider supporter involvement and ownership models.

“Clubs have become detached from fans and despite people saying this for a long time, clubs carry on as if there isn’t a problem,” Rye told BBC Sport.

“We have now seen a very sensible first step by Chelsea and there are models of dealing with this beyond saying that every club needs to have fan ownership. It’s a culture and an attitude.

“Premier League clubs that do fan engagement well are Norwich [a Premier League club in 2019-20], Everton and Leicester and the reasons for that is their leadership; the people at the top and who run departments all understand what the fan is and how it is different from a customer. They make sure that attitude goes across the whole club.”

Exeter, who are hoping of getting a League Two playoff place on the final day of the season, have been a supporter-owned club for 20 years, having been left in £4.5m debt by previous owners.

Chairman of their supporters’ trust and board member Nick Hawker says that the club is run “for the benefit of supporters and community” and “huge good will comes out of that”.

He adds that the fact supporters donate £100,000 to the running of the club each year, and almost double that over the last year, is proof of what it means to them. He explains how there is a club trust agreement which has a list of matters where fans have the final say, including Exeter City’s name, its playing colours and whether to sell the club or move stadium.

With debt affecting many clubs, he says fan ownership can play a part in running clubs more responsibly and sustainably. Surely that’s how every club should be run right?!

Chairman of Exeter supporters’ trust and board member Nick Hawker says that the club is run “for the benefit of supporters and community” and “huge good will comes out of that”.

“Listening to what fans want could solve a lot of football’s problems,” he tells BBC Sport. “Who owns the club? Nobody really. Most clubs in the United Kingdom were born in the late 1800s or early 1900s often through churches or working men’s clubs and they are so deeply-rooted in the community.

“We don’t own Exeter City, it’s in our safe-keeping. That’s what some Premier League owners have to understand.”

Rye added: “If fans were truly integrated into the ‘big six’ clubs would they have come to the same decision about the European Super League?

“It’s not like buying or owning a shop, if you buy a football club and don’t like the fact fans like to have a say and be integrated into the club, why are you owning a football club?

“Clubs are specific institutions.”

Where does your club rank in the new fan engagement table?

1) Exeter City – The ratings saw Exeter score 195 overall, comprised of 60 on dialogue, 80 on governance and 55 on transparency.

2) Carlisle United – The ratings saw Carlisle score 175 overall, comprised of 75 on dialogue, 65 on governance and 35 on transparency.

3) Cambridge United – The ratings saw Cambridge score 175 overall, comprised of 65 on dialogue, 65 on governance and 45 on transparency.

4) Newport County – The ratings saw Newport score 170 overall, comprised of 50 on dialogue, 80 on governance and 40 on transparency.

5) AFC Wimbledon – The ratings saw AFC Wimbledon score 170 overall, comprised of 45 on dialogue, 65 on governance and 60 on transparency.

6) Lincoln City – The ratings saw Lincoln score 165 overall, comprised of 75 on dialogue, 50 on governance and 40 on transparency.

7) Doncaster Rovers – The ratings saw Doncaster score 160 overall, comprised of 65 on dialogue, 65 on governance and 30 on transparency.

8) Reading – The ratings saw Reading score 150 overall, comprised of 80 on dialogue, 15 on governance and 55 on transparency.

9) Portsmouth – The ratings saw Portsmouth score 140 overall, comprised of 75 on dialogue, 45 on governance and 20 on transparency.

10) Norwich City – The ratings saw Norwich score 140 overall, comprised of 60 on dialogue, 45 on governance and 35 on transparency.

11) Leicester City – The ratings saw Leicester score 130 overall, comprised of 75 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 20 on transparency.

12) Grimsby Town – The ratings saw Grimsby score 130 overall, comprised of 60 on dialogue, 65 on governance and 5 on transparency.

13) Everton – The ratings saw Everton score 120 overall, comprised of 65 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 30 on transparency.

14) Tranmere Rovers – The ratings saw Tranmere score 120 overall, comprised of 60 on dialogue, 45 on governance and 15 on transparency.

15) Wycombe Wanderers – The ratings saw Wycombe score 120 overall, comprised of 45 on dialogue, 55 on governance and 20 on transparency.

16) Accrington Stanley – The ratings saw Accrington score 115 overall, comprised of 65 on dialogue, 30 on governance and 20 on transparency.

17) Luton Town – The ratings saw Luton score 110 overall, comprised of 75 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

18) Bristol Rovers – The ratings saw Bristol Rovers score 110 overall, comprised of 60 on dialogue, 30 on governance and 20 on transparency.

19) Oldham Athletic – The ratings saw Oldham Athletic score 110 overall, comprised of 45 on dialogue, 50 on governance and 15 on transparency.

20) Rochdale – The ratings saw Rochdale score 110 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 35 on transparency.

21) Millwall – The ratings saw Millwall score 110 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 40 on transparency.

22) Plymouth Argyle – The ratings saw Plymouth score 105 overall, comprised of 55 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 30 on transparency.

23) Crawley Town – The ratings saw Crawley score 105 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 30 on governance and 35 on transparency.

24) Shrewsbury Town – The ratings saw Shrewsbury score 105 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 35 on transparency.

25) Walsall – The ratings saw Walsall score 100 overall, comprised of 55 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 20 on transparency.

26) Fulham – The ratings saw Fulham score 100 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 45 on governance and 20 on transparency.

27) Brentford – The ratings saw Brentford score 95 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 40 on governance and 15 on transparency.

28) Swansea City – The ratings saw Swansea score 95 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 40 on governance and 15 on transparency.

29) Derby County – The ratings saw Derby score 90 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 30 on transparency.

30) Sunderland – The ratings saw Sunderland score 90 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

31) Crewe Alexandra – The ratings saw Crewe score 90 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 50 on governance and 0 on transparency.

32) Southampton – The ratings saw Southampton score 90 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 35 on transparency.

33) Stoke City – The ratings saw Stoke score 90 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 35 on transparency.

34) Wigan Athletic – The ratings saw Wigan score 90 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 35 on transparency.

35) Rotherham United – The ratings saw Rotherham score 85 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 20 on transparency.

36) Wolverhampton Wanderers – The ratings saw Wolves score 85 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

37) Brighton & Hove Albion – The ratings saw Brighton score 85 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 20 on transparency.

38) Leyton Orient – The ratings saw Leyton Orient score 85 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 20 on transparency.

39) Morecambe – The ratings saw Morecambe score 80 overall, comprised of 45 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 15 on transparency.

40) Barnsley – The ratings saw Barnsley score 80 overall, comprised of 45 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

41) Blackburn Rovers – The ratings saw Blackburn score 80 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 30 on transparency.

42) Queens Park Rangers – The ratings saw QPR score 80 overall, comprised of 25 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 35 on transparency.

43) Bradford City – The ratings saw Bradford score 80 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 40 on transparency.

44) Aston Villa – The ratings saw Aston Villa score 75 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 15 on transparency.

45) Southend United – The ratings saw Southend score 75 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 15 on transparency.

46) Manchester City – The ratings saw Man City score 75 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 15 on transparency.

47) Arsenal – The ratings saw Arsenal score 75 overall, comprised of 25 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

48) Milton Keynes Dons – The ratings saw MK Dons score 70 overall, comprised of 50 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 0 on transparency.

49) West Ham United – The ratings saw the Hammers score 70 overall, comprised of 40 on dialogue, 15 on governance and 15 on transparency.

50) Peterborough United – The ratings saw Peterborough score 70 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

51) Northampton Town – The ratings saw Northampton score 70 overall, comprised of 25 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 20 on transparency.

52) Huddersfield Town – The ratings saw Huddersfield score 70 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

53) Stevenage – The ratings saw Stevenage score 70 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 20 on transparency.

54) Bristol City– The ratings saw Bristol City score 65 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

55) Ipswich Town – The ratings saw Ipswich score 65 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

56) Birmingham City – The ratings saw Birmingham score 65 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

57) Blackpool – The ratings saw Blackpool score 65 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

58) Hull City – The ratings saw Hull score 65 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

59) Manchester United – The ratings saw Man Utd score 65 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

60) Sheffield United – The ratings saw the Blades score 65 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 15 on transparency.

61) Cheltenham Town – The ratings saw Cheltenham score 65 overall, comprised of 10 on dialogue, 50 on governance and 5 on transparency.

62) Tottenham Hotspur – The ratings saw Spurs score 60 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 15 on governance and 15 on transparency.

63) Forest Green Rovers – The ratings saw Forest Green score 60 overall, comprised of 25 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 15 on transparency.

64) Liverpool – The ratings saw Liverpool score 60 overall, comprised of 25 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

65) Fleetwood Town – The ratings saw Fleetwood score 60 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 20 on transparency.

66) Middlesbrough – The ratings saw Middlesbrough score 60 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 20 on transparency.

67) Nottingham Forest – The ratings saw Forest score 55 overall, comprised of 45 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 0 on transparency.

68) Coventry City – The ratings saw Coventry score 55 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 15 on transparency.

69) West Bromwich Albion – The ratings saw West Brom score 55 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 15 on transparency.

70) Scunthorpe United – The ratings saw Scunthorpe score 55 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 20 on transparency.

71) Charlton Athletic – The ratings saw Charlton score 55 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 15 on transparency.

72) Burton Albion – The ratings saw Burton score 55 overall, comprised of 10 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 20 on transparency.

73) AFC Bournemouth – The ratings saw Bournemouth score 45 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 0 on transparency.

74) Colchester United – The ratings saw Colchester score 45 overall, comprised of 35 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 0 on transparency.

75) Crystal Palace – The ratings saw Crystal Palace score 45 overall, comprised of 30 on dialogue, 0 on governance and 15 on transparency.

76) Newcastle United – The ratings saw Newcastle score 45 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 15 on transparency.

77) Watford – The ratings saw Watford score 40 overall, comprised of 25 on dialogue, 15 on governance and 0 on transparency.

78) Chelsea – The ratings saw Chelsea score 40 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 5 on governance and 15 on transparency.

79) Oxford United – The ratings saw Oxford score 40 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 5 on transparency.

80) Burnley – The ratings saw Burnley score 40 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 0 on transparency.

81) Cardiff City – The ratings saw Cardiff score 40 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 0 on transparency.

82) Mansfield Town – The ratings saw Mansfield score 40 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 0 on transparency.

83) Preston North End – The ratings saw Preston score 40 overall, comprised of 10 on dialogue, 25 on governance and 5 on transparency.

84) Port Vale – The ratings saw Port Vale score 40 overall, comprised of 5 on dialogue, 35 on governance and 0 on transparency.

85) Leeds United – The ratings saw Leeds score 35 overall, comprised of 15 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 0 on transparency.

86) Gillingham – The ratings saw Gillingham score 35 overall, comprised of 10 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 5 on transparency.

87) Salford City – The ratings saw Salford score 35 overall, comprised of 10 on dialogue, 20 on governance and 5 on transparency.

88) Bolton Wanderers – The ratings saw Bolton score 20 overall, comprised of 20 on dialogue, 0 on governance and 0 on transparency.

89) Sheffield Wednesday – The ratings saw Sheffield Wednesday score 20 overall, comprised of 10 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 0 transparency.

90) Macclesfield Town – The ratings saw Macclesfield, before rising from the dead, score 10 overall, comprised of 0 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 0 on transparency.

91) Swindon Town – The ratings saw Swindon score 10 overall, comprised of 0 on dialogue, 10 on governance and 0 on transparency.

Where does your club rank in the new fan engagement table? Let us know your thoughts on our socials!