Doncaster Rovers Football Club has taken another giant step in further cementing its relationships with the club’s supporters.
In response to the Football League’s directive that all clubs must appoint a Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO), DRFC has surpassed this by appointing two fans to work jointly in the role of SLO in being the official channel of communication between the fans and the club shareholders/management.
SLOs have been extremely effective over a number of years at many clubs throughout Europe, and UEFA’s recommendation to the Football League that all clubs playing in England should make provision for such a role has been welcomed by the FSF (Football Supporters’ Federation).
Kevin Miles (Chief Executive, FSF): “ FSF believes that the role of SLO is a vital one, and a real step forward in communicating with fans. Clubs and fans alike can benefit hugely from the work of an effective and proactive Supporter Liaison Officer”.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club has given great consideration to the process of appointing to this position, and is now pleased to announce that successful candidates Lee Croft and Mark Hughesman will shortly take up their roles as SLOs for Rovers. Lee and Mark join the club in official voluntary positions to provide even greater means of communication between fans and management at the club. Both Lee and Mark have been ardent Rovers fans for many years, and bring to the table excellent qualities and skills which complement each other. The club is delighted to welcome them on board, and will assist them in all their work on behalf of the supporters and the club. The effectiveness of their work will become the benchmark of the SLO role in general for other clubs to emulate.
Gavin Baldwin (Chief Executive DRFC): “This is an important appointment as part of our ‘In Rovers We Trust” fan engagement project. We feel this give the fans and the club a conduit to enhance communications and allow a better understanding of what fans want. UEFA have identified Doncaster Rovers decision to appoint fans to the post as best practice across Europe. Rovers are one of the few clubs that have appointed fans to the post rather than club staff.”