FA WANT HELP TO BOOST BIG DAY
THE Football Association want to encourage fans to watch both games at next year’s Non-League finals day – and have asked fans how it can be improved.
The inaugural occasion has largely been seen as a success as a collective crowd of 46,781 clicked through Wembley’s turnstiles for the FA Vase and Trophy showdowns.
Hereford brought more than 20,000 to the arch, but after seeing their side lose 4-1 to Morpeth Town most left before FC Halifax’s triumph over Grimsby Town.
Still, the FA were pleased with how the pilot went – the first time two football matches have been staged at the national stadium back-to-back – and hope to make next year even better.
FA Operations Director Julie Harrington said: “It was the first time that we had brought grassroots football’s two showpiece finals together as a Wembley double header so we knew we were entering unchartered territory.
“But innovation is something we are always ready to embrace. Our ambition was to create a unique form of fan engagement which generated a positive environment across both games. And I believe we did it.
“We wanted to make the event accessible and actively encouraged making it a family day out – with children’s tickets priced at £1 and various family discounts on offer.
“And this is just the start.We would like more fans to stay for both games and we are looking at how we could encourage this.We will be asking supporter groups and Non-League teams for feedback on how we improve.
“But clearly the appetite is there. BT Sport aired both games live in a marathon broadcast and the viewing figures were very encouraging.”
As well as hailing Wembley staff for the quick turnaround from the FA Cup final the previous day, Harrington also paid tribute to the four finalists’ fans.
“All four clubs to take part were able to enter into the spirit of the occasion, which was so well demonstrated by the guard of honour that players of defeated Hereford formed for Morpeth as they went up to the Royal Box collect the Vase.”