Given the fact that we have Spanish, French and German players I thought I'd check how our average (12,526) compares with major leagues in Western Europe. It is in fact higher than six Spanish top division clubs and three in France. It is also north of every side in Italy's Serie B (and three in Serie A) and superior to every side bar one in the French second tier and better than eight clubs in Bundesliga 2. Next season with proper away followings we can expect to see that improved.
Would be great to have an average of 14k next season, with a view to building on that season on season - of course that will be dictated by matters on and off the field. Always interesting to look at how ours and other clubs crowds fluctuate over the years. Take Reading for example. Went from very small crowds at Elm Park to over 20k at the new stadium, and are steadily shrinking back downwards as the sugar daddy has sold up and left. Similar story at Wigan.
Think we will be closer to around 15k average next season. But attendance isn't the be all of success.. Ask Sunderland and Pompey.
Yup. Several smaller clubs that have 'grown' in that way. Seems everyone wants a part of it when the money is flying about, but not many have the stomach for going backwards towards where they started, like Wigan, Hull, Reading, Blackburn and Bolton. You can't really point the finger at Bournemouth and Brentford fans, because they don't have room for glory fans at the moment, but both clubs could easily start to go the other way. Only takes one bad season.
