Newport County AFC has been ranked fourth for fan engagement across the top four tiers of English football.
The Exiles are one of four Sky Bet League Two clubs that have made the top four in the Fan Engagement Index 2019/20 after Exeter City claimed top spot, while Carlisle United and Cambridge United were ranked second and third respectively.
The index scores clubs from the Premier League to Sky Bet League Two on their relationship with supporters. It places each club in a league table with scores comprising of three areas: dialogue (how clubs communicate with supporters), governance (how fans help with the club's governance) and transparency (a club's open approach to supporter meetings).
County have moved up nine places in the table after being ranked 13th in the index for the 2018/19 season.
The owner of Think Fan Engagement, Kevin Rye, said: "The Index provides a steer as to how the game might prevent things like the ill-fated Super League proposals from seeing the light of day again, and ensuring clubs are better run more generally. It’s all too easy to say we might want something like a ‘German 50%+1’ model as a solution. What the index does is actually shine a light on the values, structures and cultures that might actually deliver a fan-centred future in English football.
"As we emerge from Covid, the voice of fans is going to be critical. Some clubs understand this, as you can see from the results. But many haven’t paid enough attention, preferring to focus on pushing out content, social media bantz or PR gimmicks."
The full table for 2019/2020, including biggest risers and fallers, can be accessed at fanengagement.net and the full report can be accessed via fanengagement.net/fan-engagement-hub