I see the fairest way to measure best away following as like vs like ââ¬â ie How many fans we take compared to how many fans each corresponding club bring to us. This method rather than looking at total numbers evens out geographic considerations. In all 23 cases we brought more fans to the away match than they in turn brought to priestfield. This unquestionably gives us the best away support in the division, and (relitively speaking the league?) I doubt that ,across all divisions, there is another team that had a net higher figure of away fans against every other team in their division. So question. Do we have the best away support or on a cynical note does pricing and standard of the temporary stand, and joys of Gillingham itself stop opposing fans making the trip in numbers?
I think we have the best away support - would a Brian Moore type stand at another club stop Gills fans travelling in numbers? I don't think so.
not sure about average. but that would relflect location and as this division is largely northern, a centrally based northern club would have an advantage. By comparing like v like, you get a balanced view as by definition the distance needed to travel is the same. would be interested in the average figures too though if anyone has them. Also why is our away support so good? ( our home support would just be about 6th or 7th in league 2?) Port vales home crowd is impressive considering they share a town with premiership stoke.
Yeah that and the amount of home fans they get makes me think Bradford might have the highest average. Doubt they'll be taking many away fans when they get relegated to the Conference in the near future.
Just out of interest, where are the figures available? At the risk of boring the board about Accrington, (I wasn't the only one there, honest) poor facilities didn't put off a strong Gills support there - open terracing! But it was behind the goal, and I still think you get a better atmosphere with terracing. So I'm beginning to argue against myself here.... although at least it didn't rain Well it sort of rained goals, but I think you know what I mean I'll get me coat
Don't know if any of you have seen this before... http://www.thefootballforum.net/ind...o-away-support-thread-20102011/page__st__1420
Yes we did take a good number to Accrington but there was an offer in The Sun for that game for discount tickets. I don't know if that helped but it is a possibility. I went because of that offer for tickets and to see what the stadium looks like in the daylight (was one of the fans who made the tuesday night fa cup trip). I think our average away support would be up near the top, which is fantastic considering that awful run we had of not winning away.
Strewth I live about 15 miles away and didn't get to that one. Although without checking my records I don't know if I was in the area at that time as I used to work away some weeks. Another good reason why we (you!!) have got the best away support - can't really count myself in.
