THE Shrimps enjoyed another outstanding evening at the prestigious national Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards.
The awards were organised by Stadium Experience and recognised the efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every football and rugby stadium across the UK and Ireland.
Eighty football and rugby clubs were nominated for awards, with 21 different stadium venues scooping at least one of 33 gongs (across 11 categories).
Morecambe won the coveted Matchday Hospitality Award for the Small Stadium category and won silver in the overall Hospitality Award where they are up against all clubs in the country - a magnificent achievement.
To mark that the Shrimps won the Bronze award in the Operations team of the year which recognises the often unseen behind-the-scenes teams that make stadium events run so smoothly. Judges looked for teams which go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the very best service to customers.
The sell-out event, sponsored by Carlsberg UK, was held in the new main stand at Anfield, home to Liverpool Football Club.
Director, Rod Taylor, praised the club's hospitality team for their "superb'' efforts.
He said: "Once again the team at the Globe Arena has been recognised by the country's leading awards.
"We have to put this into context as the club are up against the biggest clubs in the country and have once again shown just what a fantastic service they provide for the club.
"We also have to remember too that staff from the hospitality team were also affected by the club’s financial problems this year. They were paid late on occasions but despite that they showed great professionalism and loyalty which was remarkable.
“We are delighted to be honoured in this way and we cannot praise the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes at the club enough for this superb achievement.''
The full list of 2017 award winners includes:
Media Choice Award – Sponsored by Conference News
The Media Choice Award category is voted for by visiting local and national media. This audience voted for a warm welcome, friendly service and top class food.
WINNER – Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
SILVER – Watford Football Club
BRONZE – Manchester City Football Club
Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award – Sponsored by HGEM
The Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award category was judged by HGEM in a mystery shopper style sales call.
WINNER – Aberdeen Football Club
SILVER – Reading Football Club
BRONZE – Southampton Football Club
The Above & Beyond Award 2017 – Sponsored by Stadium Experience (Additional Awards)
WINNER – Manchester City Football Club
WINNER – Manchester United Football Club
Best Sales or Marketing Initiative Award – Sponsored by The CHS Group
The Best Sales or Marketing Initiative Award category highlights the very best sales and marketing ideas created and introduced within any stadium team. Judges specifically looked for brave new ideas which have led to increased support for stadium activities.
WINNER – Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
SILVER – Reading Football Club
SILVER – Southampton Football Club
BRONZE – Chelsea Football Club
*New* Shining Star Award – Sponsored by Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events
New for 2017, the Shining Star Award category aims to recognise those individuals who are simply outstanding at what they do, and continuously shine. This may be someone at the start of their career, making great strides in their roles, or someone in a more senior role leading the way in excellence.
WINNER – India Harris – Wigan Athletic Football Club
SILVER – Lorna Butler – Liverpool Football Club
BRONZE – Danny Clarke – Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Operations Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Tom Hewer Catering
The Operations Team of the Year Award recognises the often unseen behind-the-scenes teams that make stadium events run so smoothly. Judges looked for teams which go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the very best service to customers.
WINNER – Liverpool Football Club
SILVER – Chelsea Football Club
BRONZE – Morecambe Football Club
Chef Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Hotelympia
The Chef Team of the Year Award is judged as part of the live kitchen event at Hotelympia, NEC in Birmingham. Chefs teams had one hour to prepare, cook and present a three-course menu suitable for their Club Chairman to entertain the Head of the FA or RFU to dinner.
WINNER – Everton Football Club
SILVER – Worcester Warriors Rugby Club
BRONZE – Hampden Park Stadium
Directors Choice Award – Sponsored by FC Business
The Directors Choice Award category is voted for by Directors at each club. They nominated the club where they had the best away experience when travelling with their team. They are specifically asked to consider the welcome, service and catering.
WINNER – Newcastle United Football Club
SILVER – Norwich City Football Club
BRONZE – Bradford City Football Club
Matchday Hospitality Award – Sponsored by Verteda
Visited by professional Salon Culinaire chef judges who experience the whole hospitality offering at clubs this season, judged using strict criteria.
Matchday Hospitality Award – Small Stadium (up to 1000 hospitality seats)
WINNER – Morecambe Football Club
SILVER – Heart of Midlothian Football Club
BRONZE – Dundee United Football Club
Matchday Hospitality Award – Medium Stadium (1001 – 2000 hospitality seats)
WINNER – Bolton Wanderers Football Club
SILVER – Southampton Football Club
BRONZE – Middlesbrough Football Club
Matchday Hospitality Award – Large Stadium (2001+ hospitality seats)
WINNER – Hampden Park Stadium
SILVER – Manchester City Football Club
BRONZE – Liverpool Football Club
The Big One – Overall Matchday Hospitality Award
This award pitches all sized clubs against all, to announce the overall winning UK stadium.
WINNER – Hampden Park Stadium
SILVER – Morecambe Football Club
BRONZE – Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Stadium Experience Chair Person Collette Salmon, commented: “Once again our members and Stadia across the UK and Ireland show true greatness in their field.
"Our people are always looking for innovative new ways to better the service and hospitality on offer, and it is a pleasure to recognise all those who work so hard all year round to make their venues the very best they can be.''