Grendel
Well-Known Member
Lots of teams in the division over the term have moved to new stadia. Stoke, Sunderland, Blackpool, Swansea, Derby, Leicester, Reading, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Hull, etc and have seen an increase in crowds and sustained it. The facts I've now presented you with show you that almost uniquely, we haven't during SISU's watch
The facts though are slightly selective. The teams quoted have enjoyed relative periods of success which regardless of ownership and stadium would have led to an increasing attendance. Derby is a club that haven't but the Baseball Ground was sold out every week. Leicester have enjoyed little success but a competitive pricing policy and continued promise of success has maintained attendances above our level. Reading and Hull have enjoyed their best ever league positions in recent times so this will attract extra support. Sustaining that actually I would argue will not happen if these clubs do not continue to achieve success. Both teams are now averaging 18,000 - they are running at 70% capacity.
You mention Middlesborough as an example of a team that have enjoyed large crowds and sustained it. Hardly. They were averaging 28,000 two years ago. This is down now to 17,000 - one of the biggest slumps I can see. This is a club whose owner is larger adored in the town. So all this shows is unless the town has a high enduring support base (Derby, Forest, Sheffield for example) then regardless of ownership and stadium the crowds will peak at the opening of a new venue before returning to prior levels.