I've seen what these owners have done in the U.S with the 49ers. New stadium, increased turnover, success on the field. Who knows? Maybe they can bring that to us. I'm hoping they get the chance to build the club and take things to the next level.
Sorry Emu saw this and well couldn't resist Figures are based on Championship attendances only from the 2001/2002 season to date less the 2 seasons where attendances were disrupted due to COVID. In total 61 different clubs have played in the Championship during those 21 seasons. During that time our lowest ever average attendance was 21,571 when Bates put us into administration and we were relegated to League One (Edit sorry got this wrong. We actually averaged 41 more spectators the season we went down to league one. The lowest average attendance was in the 2012/13 season when Warnock was in charge for most of it). 34 of the other 60 clubs have had a lower highest ever attendance, than our lowest ever season average attendance. 3 clubs have managed to have a lowest attendance for any one match in excess of 30k, these being Newcastle (who got over 43k), Villa and Man City. West Ham, Sunderland, Derby and Leicester are the only other clubs who's lowest ever attendance in the Championship is higher than ours. Only 15 clubs have a higher overall average attendance in the Championship than our lowest ever attendance. For the 13 seasons that we have competed in the Championship, we have an average attendance of 26,632. Newcastle, Villa, Man City, Sunderland and West Ham are the only clubs who have an a higher average attendance than ourselves during the period that they have played in the Championship. Of those clubs, Sunderland have spent the longest in the Championship, this being 6 seasons, compared to our 13. 44 clubs highest average attendance in any one season is lower than our average attendances over all our Championship seasons Our highest average attendance is 35,833, being this season. The playoff season the average attendance was 34,033(Edit put winning season initially by mistake). Only 3 of those other 60 clubs have had a higher overall attendance than ourselves, these being Newcastle with over 51k, Sunderland with over 41k and Villa with over 36k. Man City, West Ham and Leicester are the only other clubs to have had an attendance over 30K in any one season. In those 21 seasons Bournemouth, Brentford and Luton have spent less time in the Championship between them, in total 12 season collectively, in comparison to our own 13 seasons. The highest average attendance of those 3 added together is 30,944, so those 3 clubs between them have at best during a season attracted 4,000 less fans than we have this season. During their 11 seasons in the Championship, Crystal Palace highest average attendance was approx. 1,200 lower, than our lowest average attendance. In the 12 seasons they have been in the Premier league there highest average attendance has been approx, 25,500, which is around 1,000 less than our average attendance in the Championship. Thus whilst Parachute payments and good attendances help financially towards achieving success (plus ignoring FFP or PSR or whatever they are calling it these days), having a well run club is probably more important to being able to sustain that success over the medium to long term.
If you'd humour me. What is our average Championship attendance when finishing top 6? out of the play off places? When finishing bottom half?
Spot on Eire. Maybe its an age thing, but I'm not bothered if we get to the Premier or not. Var has killed the game, politics and money has ruined the game. Ive seen enough **** matches over the years, but it was still a thrill to walk into the stadium even if it was a 0.0 v Swindon in the old 2nd division or a 1.0 defeat in the Milk cup on a wet midweek. Off subject a bit, but what an old firm match that was yesterday.
Agree with every word Shaks incl the old firm. Maybe us overseas supporters appreciate the Elland road experience more
no problem Emu We have finished top six (including this season so far) 3 times. Highest average attendance is this season at 35833, lowest was the 2005/2006 season when we finished 5th with 22,355 and average for all 3 seasons is 30,740. Our promotion season is not included as this was affected by COVID For 7 - 12 positions we have achieved that twice, 2010/11 season average was 27,299 and 2016/2017 average attendance was 27,698 so overall average is 27,499. For finishing between 13 and 24 our highest average attendance for a season was in 2017/2018 at 31,521 and the lowest was 21,572 in 2012/13 when we finished 13th. The year we got relegated after finishing 24th was 21,613. Average attendance the 8 seasons we finished in the bottom half of the table was 24,876. Also just for comparative purposes, the -15 season in league one 26,546, which was higher than 7 of our championship averages. The league one play off year the average attendance was 23,639 and the league one promotion season was 24,818. Our title winning season of 1991/92 the average was 29,493. We had the 5th highest average attendance that season, beaten by Scum, Liverpool, Arsenal and Sheff Wed. The season after when we finished 17th in the newly formed Premier League, we had the 4th highest average attendance at 29,228 behind Scum, Liverpool and Villa. In the 1993/94 season, our average attendance was 34,495 bettered only by Scum and Liverpool. The 2003/04 season when we went down, our average attendance was 36,666, which was still the 8th highest in the EPL that season, 40 higher than Villa who finished 6th.
Probably not worth including the Bates years. Most hated owner ever and fans stayed away in their thousands because of him eg top deck of east stand closed by him
Of course I get your point but that cuts both ways. It wasn’t much fun for the last two years being bullied by the teams with the money. Without having carried out any sort of poll I’d hazard a guess your average Coventry, Norwich, WBA or Ipswich fan ( none of whom are the cash bullies) would say they are having much more fun than Joe Burnley or Fred Blades fan (and, highly likely Luton). They have likely traipsed round the country getting battered most weeks and know what is coming. If we aren’t good enough after 46 (or even 49) games c’est la vie, we go again and support the new line up, that’s the way it is. Good owners, manager, coaches and scouts should mean there is fun to be had. I would say, even pre Ridsdale and certainly after, our ownership has bordered on criminal. That’s why I get a bit perplexed with the flak Rads gets, he made us competitive again, hired a very expensive but brilliant coach and achieved promotion. No short memory here bud
Had rads sold up after promotion or even after the first year in pl he’d be held in high esteem. He stayed too long, hadn’t the required resources and gave complete control of club to an idiot. The big hope many had on here and elsewhere was that the crop of u21’s would develop into world beaters magically. It’s not that easy done. But it’s great that for firsts time in decades we’re spending all the time discussing football and not finances or owners When I look at that we should be among that bunch. No question but two seasons of cockups ensured we’re miles back again
I’d say about 50/50 between the two. Missing my trios big time now. Galway whites over for the Blackburn and Southampton games. I was booked for both
Was having a little dig at my mate Shako,the Leeds hotels are that good,some don't bother going the game
Can’t say I disagree with you with the benefit of hindsight mate but who wouldn’t have been tempted to hang on in his position? He was quids in either way and real gold was in touching distance. I know we’ll never agree on it which is fine but I’d have Rads back in a heartbeat over Ridsdale, McKenzie, Bates, Cellino bla bla bla
It was the excellence of Bielsa and our first season back why Radz overstayed and I don’t blame him either. Season two (end of) when we stayed up by the skin of our teeth, that’s when Radz should have cashed in but we’ll never know the reasons why, maybe the 49ers were not ready. Maybe he just enjoyed being the owner and actually loved the club/project/achievement
