Why are fans not following their team in recent seasons? Spurs not taking their allocation to Old T last season, and the Etihad two seasons running for a top 4 playoff fixture (2009/10 and 2010/11). Taking just half their allocation to St James's this season. Newly promoted QPR not taking their allocation for a first Premiership game at Old T for 15 years. This weekend's Norwich v QPR game has been on general sale since Saturday; and QPR still have 800 tickets for sale out of a 2400 allocation. Fortunately we are standing strong: 4500 to Wigan for a televised, early Sunday kick off in the middle of the summer hols. KTBFFH
Seriously though Spurs fanbase is not near as big as they think it is. I would expect Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and United to sell out every away accept televised Northern midweeks in case of the former (I believe Liverpool and United were only ones not completely sold out last year. We have a hundred or so v Sunderland too but that was school holidays). Liverpool and United should sell out every away because of the glory hunters they have up and down the country. Travel costs make it difficult, these days the travel is twice as much as the ticket
Arsenal don't have the same number of gloryhunters as the other two and their fanbase is more local and traditional. They should still sell out though as should we
My order for best away followings would be: United Pool/Arsenal Chelsea City Spurs Worst: Wigan Fulham QPR
I'd place West Ham and Newcastle above Spurs personally. Those 2 would never fail to sell out a full allocation at OT no matter when the game is played Best United Pool Arsenal Chelsea Newcastle West Ham City Everton Norwich
QPR don't take their full allocation up at home either As for the yids they're too busy bitching on the Chelsea board to go to away matches.
I'm sure economics must be playing a part! Not just the price of tickets, but the travelling as well ! Getting from South to North and back again is not cheap by road or rail and some people now have to be selective about what games they go to! This time of the year there's lots still on holiday as well!
Agree. Plus leeds too Celtic rangers United Pool Arsenal Chelsea leeds Newcastle West Ham City Everton Sunderland Norwich Cardiff Swansea [/QUOTE]
Surely this has less to do with fan bases and more to do with a piss poor economy (borrowing up 9 billion on this time last year, oh because the corporate tax is weak this month or in plain language the mates of the government get away scot free not paying any and if made to these English stalwarts threaten to up sticks and leave taking their businesses with them (oh wait they've done that already to avoid tax.).) and the fact that due to player wages, clubs squeeze every last penny out of us. Price of petrol? I do believe it was the magnificent Maggie who sold our North Sea oil to her mates for a fraction of it's worth. You can't mention fans attendances without talking money otherwise it's a facile debate.
