The Role of the SLO (Supporter Liaison Officer) Part 2

Since the start of the season I have attended two EFL backed meetings. The first at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium was an equality conference. I went with Andy Beattie . The second was an SLO (Supporters Liaison Officer) meeting at the Madejski Stadium, Reading. The equality meeting was opened by David Ruebain providing the Premier League overview and a Cultural workshop.

In the afternoon there were 5 workshops of 20 minutes each. I attended the Sports Chaplaincy, Level Playing Fields and Kick it Out presentations as I wanted to find out about particular issues. I was not able to get to the Muslim Chaplains in Sport and League Managers Association presentations. Andy covered these two.

The second meeting in Reading was aimed at SLOs in particular.  It started with a presentation by Andy Pomfret representing the EFL and this discussed Supporter Engagement, Family Excellence & the Away Fan Experience. All areas I am already  involved  with. The club have been awarded the Family Excellence award for the past two seasons.

Throughout the season each club is visited by 'secret' supporters' who come and mark the club on Family Excellence and the Away Fan Experience. This meeting is where you learn what other clubs are doing and is a place to ask questions and discuss issues.

We also then had a Matchday Safety & Security Update by Bob Eastwood who gave instances of some of the current key issues and also some that are being targeted.

In the afternoon we discussed the Supporters ' Survey that the EFL is looking at running shortly, the Checkatrade Trophy and the EFL Charity Partner this season, MIND.

Following on from these meetings there has been a Stewards Training Event take place at the Abbey. This is the second one since the season began and included a Counter Terrorism Awareness briefing and a stadium evacuation taking place.

Click here to take the Being a Steward quiz

Read part 1 by clicking here

Click here tosee the SLO page

Dave M-Jones