Liverpool FC is celebrating passing five million Twitter followers by offering fans a chance to become the club’s new ‘Number 5’ – for one match only.
Jurgen Klopp’s squad is currently without a No 5 (a shirt previously worn by club legends like Steve Staunton and Mark Wright), so it has launched the #1In5Million fan engagement and social media expansion competition.
The winning supporter will be listed in the match day programme as the team’s ‘No 5’, have their personalised shirt (complete with Twitter handle) hung up in the home dressing room and have their name read out over the stadium PA system with the rest of the team.
The club will also give the winner a VIP matchday experience that includes two tickets, plus accommodation and travel to and from the stadium.
Daniel Agger, the last holder of the Anfield outfit’s No 5 shirt played a lead role in promoting the initiative by fronting a Twitter-led video call for entry.
#LFC’s last No.5 @DanielAgger has a message for you… #1in5million pic.twitter.com/XurSeQ2sCQ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 16, 2015
To stand a chance to become Liverpool’s latest No 5, supporters were invited via Twitter posts and video clips to enter the #1in5million competition (before Friday, 20 November) by following @LFC and using the campaign hashtag #1in5million to Tweet about why they deserve the special prize.
We reached five million followers on Twitter yesterday. Who wants to be our No.5 for an #LFC home game? #1in5million
https://t.co/TSu5blsqHG
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 17, 2015
For full details on our #1in5million competition and terms and conditions, visit https://t.co/vbEGqYr3r9 pic.twitter.com/lbCLQz3lNP
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 16, 2015
There was an avalanche of varied fan entries.
We’ve had some great entries so far. Now we want to see videos showing why you deserve to be our No.5! #1in5million pic.twitter.com/bQwn0dTt5H
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 17, 2015
All the entrants were whittled down to a top five by the club, before club legend (and former No 5) Ronnie Wheelan selected the two finalists.
Former #LFC No.5 Ronnie Whelan picks his top two #1in5million entries. Well done, @gus_schofield03 & @dylandacosta!
https://t.co/PJXPIaXLZM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2015
All of Liverpool’s Twitter followers will then vote to determine who will win the honour of being the team’s new No 5.
Remember to have your say on who should win our #1in5million competition. Vote for Gus or Dylan on our poll! #LFC pic.twitter.com/K7WvJY1jqy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 23, 2015
‘Our fans are incredible. Wherever they are around the world, they are passionate, loyal and full of pride. ‘We want to thank them for their support with the opportunity to win an extraordinary, money-can’t-buy prize,’ comments Liverpool chief media officer Matthew Baxter.
‘We have found that social media brings our Liverpool family closer together – wherever people are in the world, they can chat about the club that is a major part of their lives. By using Twitter for a competition like this we give fans, wherever they live, a chance to share their passion for their club and potentially win the prize of a lifetime.’
Comment
This is a clever, compelling tactical way to exploit the missing squad number and engage fans and encourage them to share and spread their club commitment and squad support.
Interestingly, recent months have seen several sports teams roll out some genuinely innovative tactical angles on bringing a supporter into the team itself.
For example, one of our favourites from the last few weeks was an NBA cause initiative that saw the Chicago Bulls sign up 13-year-old supporter Parker Stevens on a one-day contract via ‘Make-A-Wish’.
Links
Liverpool #1In5Million:
Liverpool FC Twitter:
Liverpool FC Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC/
Liverpool FC Website:
Liverpool FC YouTube:
