The Football League unveils The Changing Room online panel

Set to launch in January 2013, the online resource aims to offer fans the chance to share their opinions through discussion groups, forums and surveys on a number of topics affecting The Football League, its member clubs and the fans.

Up to 15,000 Football League fans will be recruited throughout December via an initial invitation process using The Football League’s and specific clubs’ databases. This will be followed by a profiling questionnaire to ensure fans from each of the 72 member clubs are represented within the community. Supporters who do not make it into the panel initially will be placed on a waiting list and invited to join if and when spaces become available.

Feedback from the panel will be reviewed by senior management at The Football League and used to inform its strategies moving forward. The Changing Room will also offer The Football League’s partners insight into important trends and opinions amongst fans and help them tailor their offerings to the needs of supporters. As well as offering fans the chance to communicate directly with each other and The Football League, The Changing Room will offer regular surveys on current issues and competitions to win match tickets and club vouchers.

Richard Heaselgrave, chief commercial officer at The Football League, said: “Fans are at the very heart of football, which is why we are always looking into effective ways of hearing their collective voice. The introduction of The Changing Room offers supporters the chance to have their say on topics affecting them, their club and The Football League as a whole. This gives them the opportunity to help shape how we approach important issues within The Football League, and the feedback we receive will be invaluable.”

Mike Stevens, managing director of Vision Critical Europe, added: “The Changing Room is a bold and innovative way to engage fans, and we’re proud to be associated with it.”