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Orchid's fantasy league drives footfall

16th June 2008, 12:06pm

The Orchid Group's inaugural Fantasy Football competition has proven to be a massive hit with customers throughout the country, significantly driving footfall, helping to create a sense of community and providing a great talking point in pubs.

With a jackpot prize of £2,500, the Group's Fantasy Football League was free to enter and allowed football fans the chance to assemble their ideal dream team from players in the Premier League using a set budget of £55m.

Points were awarded according to how well players perform in actual matches and the team with the most points winning the top prize.

As further incentive, team of the season at each pub was also awarded with a £50 food & drink voucher and monthly prizes were given to players top of the pub league.

Marketing Manager Adam Bowers says: "There's no doubting the passion for the game in the UK and the chance to pick your own team of stars to compete against your friends in the community is proving a real hit in the local pub."

"Our Fantasy Football League has been a huge success. It has not only increased footfall considerably since its launch but has cemented customer loyalty and created a tremendous buzz about the place."

One of the main advantages of running this type of Fantasy Football competition is that customers taking part are compelled to go into their local pub at least once a week to check on their scores and their position within the league table.

At The Cricketers in Grimsby, South Humberside, which had this season's winner, Stuart Isherwood, manager of 'Isherwood Forest', the competition has captured the imagination of customers and staff alike, creating an increased sense of community spirit.

Pub Manager, Barry Edmands, comments: "The Fantasy Football League has really brought everyone together, with customers as well as staff getting involved in the competition. In fact, the overall winner of the contest only just pipped our Head Chef, Jason Hockney at the post!"

"It has created a huge source of conversation with people interacting who might never have spoken before the league launched. Even customers who are not taking part are keen to keep up-to-date with the contest and rooting for their local teams to win. There's been lots of friendly banter between competing teams and much in-depth discussion about the best way to fine-tune teams when the transfer windows open!"

Orchid's Operations Director, Jerry Robinson says: "Pub Managers are pivotal to the success of any promotion or initiative and our managers have really taken the ball and run with it! We are delighted the Orchid Fantasy Football League has proved to be so successful and are looking forward with relish to all the twists, turns and drama of the upcoming football season!"

Orchid has over 110 pubs with sky sports, and fantasy league is one of the ways the Company is helping to maximize the benefit of Sky & live sports in pubs.

Related Articles:

31 Mar 2010 - The Orchid group installs 3D televisions in pubs
08 Sep 2009 - Orchid customers dig deep for 'Home and Away Appeal'
10 Jul 2009 - Orchid takes part in 'Home & Away' campaign
14 May 2009 - Orchid pubs support assistance dog charity

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