Following our last supporter survey, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback.

Your insight plays a crucial role in shaping the matchday experience at Blundell Park, and we are committed to listening, responding, and delivering improvements in the areas that matter most to our fans.

Here are some of the key topics raised and the steps we have taken in response:

Countdown to Kick-Off

To help build anticipation ahead of matches and create a shared sense of excitement around the stadium, we have introduced a music playlist and countdown-to-kick-off video on the big screen. This feature is designed to generate a collective energy and focus supporter attention in the moments leading up to kick-off and as the teams emerge. A full speaker replacement has also been completed in the Ramsden’s Upper stand to improve the sound quality in the area.

Flags in the Pontoon

A range of flags have been installed at the back of the Pontoon to celebrate the heritage, culture, and identity of Grimsby Town Football Club. Nationality flags have also been introduced to recognise our overseas supporters and international players, reinforcing the diverse and inclusive nature of the Mariners community.

Matchday Programme Accessibility

We are making it easier than ever for supporters to purchase a matchday programme. Card payment will soon be available through our programme sellers, providing a quicker and more convenient option on matchdays.

To improve visibility around the stadium, sellers will also be wearing flags, making them easier to identify before kick-off and helping supporters locate a seller quickly to avoid missing out on their copy.

Sensory room 

A sensory room designed to provide a comfortable and inclusive environment for supporters who may need a break from the matchday atmosphere is available at Blundell Park.

Located between the Pontoon and Main Stand, this dedicated space offers a quieter setting with sensory materials and accessible features to support fans with additional needs.

The room includes:

– Sensory equipment to create a calming environment

– A comfortable seating area with a couch and TV

– Step amendments and a disabled access ramp for easy entry

Supporters wishing to use the Sensory and Quiet Room are encouraged to contact our Disability Liaison Officer Jane Stephenson on janestephenson@gtfc.co.uk.

Inside Matchday

Following feedback from supporters, including through Fans’ Forums, it was clear that fans wanted more behind-the-scenes access to matchdays and training sessions. Supporters expressed a desire to feel closer to the action, see more of what happens beyond the 90 minutes, and gain greater insight into the work that goes on throughout the week.

Due to limited media resource following the departure of our previous videographer, delivering this consistently wasn’t previously possible. However, with the appointment of our Communications Manager, we have been able to restructure our output, allowing our Media Officer to be pitch side at every game to capture exclusive and insightful content.

This has led to the relaunch of our Inside Matchday series – offering supporters a closer look at the build-up, tunnel moments, warm-ups, key match highlights and post-match scenes that bring the full matchday experience to life.

We have also recently appointed a student Matchday Videographer to further elevate this content. Their role supports not only Inside Matchday, but also enhances our real-time matchday social media output and contributes to exclusive Mariners TV features such as Life on Loan.

This investment ensures we can provide more consistent, engaging and behind-the-scenes access, directly responding to supporter feedback and strengthening the connection between fans and the club.

Half-Time & Family-Focused Activities

Our half-time offering has been enhanced with a penalty shoot-out competition featuring club mascot, the Mighty Mariner. The activity provides additional entertainment, particularly for younger supporters, and helps maintain engagement during the interval. We are currently exploring a range of new half-time activations, so supporters can look forward to fresh challenges, interactive games, and exciting prizes throughout the season.

Face Paint

GTFC staff and volunteers are now equipped with black and white face paint sticks, available to any supporter wanting to proudly display the club’s colours. This simple but effective addition encourages fan participation and helps strengthen the sense of unity in the stands. Staff operating the flag bearers, mascots and ball retrievers all have face paint sticks so please do enquire if you’d like to get involved.

Fan Gallery

To help build on the sense of community instilled at Blundell Park, we have launched Fan Galleries on our website. Photos taken on matchday by our fan experience photographer will be uploaded to a designated web page, making it easier for our supporters to access photographs of priceless memories captured at Blundell Park.

Matchday Birthday Parties

As part of our continued commitment to family engagement, we have successfully trialled matchday birthday party experiences for junior supporters.

The package includes a guided stadium tour, a dedicated party space with food, the opportunity to meet first-team players and Mighty Mariner, watching the match together, and on-pitch half-time activities.

This initiative is designed to create lasting memories, strengthen early connections with the club, and deliver a truly unique matchday experience for families.

To enquire about our birthday parties, please contact alice@gtfc.co.uk.

Tifo/surfer banner

The Club has supported the Mariners Trust to operate a Tifo and a surfer banner at matches this season. We’ll continue to support them in this fan driven area of match day activation.

The Fan Zone

The fan zone is currently operated by the Mariners Trust and continues to grow as a welcoming social space for supporters of all ages. Most recently, we collaborated with the Trust to host an EFL Panini Sticker Swap Shop, encouraging interaction between fans while giving younger Mariners a dedicated activity to enjoy on matchdays.

We will continue to introduce new joint-initiatives to ensure the fan zone remains inclusive, vibrant, and enjoyable for everyone visiting Blundell Park.

Design a Flag Competition

To further engage our young Mariners, Junior Trust members were invited to design their own GTFC-themed flag for display in the Pontoon. The Mariners Trust board selected the winning entries, and both designs are now being produced as full-sized flags for supporters to enjoy on matchdays.

All entrants received a club shop gift card in recognition of their creativity and fantastic support.

We remain fully committed to listening to supporter feedback and continuously enhancing the matchday experience at Blundell Park.

Your voice matters, and we encourage fans to keep sharing their thoughts via our matchday survey, and via the Mariners Trust as we work together to create the best possible environment for players and supporters alike.

UTM