Hello, GameChangers! It’s certainly been a cold one this week – plenty of games called off! – but we’re almost through that and into the weekend. Phew.
Here’s our weekly update from FanHub HQ to keep you entertained in the meantime.
Start a Company, But Build a Community…
In this week’s business blog, we covered one of the most important aspects of our brand – the community behind it.
Initially at FanHub, we created an app that would find the cheapest hotels and train tickets for travelling fans. On paper, it was a great idea – and we could save fans an average £5 per trip. But it still didn’t work out.
We underestimated the need to have a community behind that app, one that truly believed in the movement. But two years down the line, with this month’s beta re-release, we think we’ve cracked that.
Now, our approach isn’t just about the app itself – it’s about the people behind it. That’s you, and us, the fans who deserve better recognition for our loyalty.
Over the past months, we’ve put a lot of effort into building our GameChangers community – and it’s really paying off. We’re perhaps divided by our individual loyalties, but united behind the fact that fans deserve better.
You can read the full version of the blog article here.
Albion fans raise £10,000!
Each week, we look to highlight the great work football fans do – and this time we’re down on the South Coast at Brighton and Hove Albion.
16-year-old Seagulls fan Finley – who suffers from a rare condition, Mowat-Wilson syndrome – and his Dad, Paul, both regularly make the 600-mile round trip from North Wales to Brighton to watch their beloved Albion. Fin has become a recognised face within the Albion crowd as a superfan, and is now affectionally known as ‘The Mighty Fin’ – a great name.
And recently, after family friend Neil Avery wrote a song dedicated to the bond the pair share with their Seagulls footballing adventures, the trio have put together a JustGiving fundraiser in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation that has now raised a staggering £10,000.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, for those that don’t know, do amazing work in giving life-changing experiences to children with critical illnesses. For many, it’s an opportunity to escape their difficulties and experience something amazing for the day.
For Fin, his visits to the AMEX are what bring him amazing joy – and through the great work of his fundraiser, he’ll be ensuring many other kids are offered similar opportunities.
The money raised by these Brighton fans will go a huge way to helping many kids have such an experience, and shows the incredible generosity of football fans!
Feature Focus: Fan Feed
One of the app’s main features is the ability to read and listen to the best and most recent fan content through the Fan Feed, whether they be blogs, podcasts, or even – soon to be added! – vlogs.
Its explosion in recent years has shown that fan content is the future of football media, as passionate fans – who have been there every step of the way for their team – will always be the most clued-up, not the national newspapers.
Through the Fan Feed, you can keep up to date with the latest from other fans and their content related to both your club and its division. What’s more, using the Fan Feed and consuming content will boost your FanRating – your individual rating out of 100 – helping you prove that you are the best fan and, in turn, that your club has the best supporters!
Thanks for reading this week’s update, football fans!
It’s been great seeing some of the excitement brewing on Twitter for the app’s release – believe me, we’re very excited ourselves! Stay safe, and keep an eye out for next week’s update.
