As Steven Schumacher and his team make a solid start to their EFL Championship campaign, the Argyle Fans’ Trust has been working with the Club to measure the Pilgrims’ progress off the pitch, too.
After a COVID-related interval, hundreds of the Green Army responded to this year’s Annual Supporters’ Survey, providing their input on more than 80 questions, including some brand-new queries requested by the Club to test opinions on Argyle TV and Evergreen.
Responding to the results, which show marked improvements in almost every area of the Club’s operations, Jamie Yabsley (Head of Marketing & Communications at PAFC) said:
“Firstly, I’d like to thank the Argyle Fans’ Trust for working with the Club on the annual supporters’ survey.
“It’s great for the Club to be involved as we can help influence some of the key bits of feedback we are looking for.
“Having seen the results – it gives us a great sense of achievement and is further evidence of the success we are seeing off the pitch as well as on the pitch.
“However, the work doesn’t stop here – we will strive for continuous improvement, but it’s great to see all areas moving in the right direction.”
Analysing the findings, it’s clear that the Club is listening closely to the Green Army and responding with new initiatives and improvements to the match-day experience.
That’s shown by the kudos given to the marketing team for their work (93% positive, up 18%) and the communications team (89% positive, up 12%).
In particular, the Club’s use of social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) gets the thumbs up from the Green Army (75% positive, up 16%).
There’s good news for the stewarding team, too, with more than 62% saying they’re satisfied with the hi-viz helpers, up 18% since the last survey, and the first time that a majority of respondents are happy with their contribution.
Argyle TV gets good marks for quality and value for money (88% of respondents have used the service, with only 8% dissatisfied with it).
Evergreen has generated much debate since the membership scheme was launched last year.
About a third of respondents stated they had joined the scheme, mainly at the Premium level. Additional questions on Evergreen will follow in the future.
Also commenting on the survey, Virginia Pike (Chair of the Argyle Fans’ Trust) said:
“The Argyle Fans’ Trust thanks all fans who completed the Annual Supporters’ Survey.
“We are delighted to engage with PAFC on behalf of supporters in jointly producing the survey, and it has been gratifying to see that previous surveys have been recognised as a tool to improve the fan experience.
“The Club should be commended for striving to keep raising standards, and the Argyle Fans’ Trust will be on hand to assist whenever it is called for”.
97% of respondents say they’re “optimistic about the future of the Club“, while more than a quarter of all respondents went to more matches last season than in previous years.
Top marks for Argyle.
87% of respondents were male, 79% were aged 40 or more, 76% were married or living with a partner, with 25% having children at home.
