There's a lot of talk (elsewhere) about poor crowds this season.  So lets get some FACTS in the way of a good argument...

 

Average attendances at Pittodrie (the only ones I could lay my hands on):

 

2002-03: 11,775

2003-04: 10,389

2004-05: 13,577

2005-06: 12,727

2006-07: 12,475

2007-08 (to 2nd January): 12,408

 

So crowds are much the same as they have been for the last three years, not the huge drop in numbers that some moaners would have us believe.  And crowds are better now than they were in the era immediately before JC arrived.

 

In saying that, we should be aspiring to an average of 15,000.  So what is the real reason for crowds being poor?

 

For some it may be the lack of entertainment on display (but we've got great home form this season), while others it will be the rising costs of football, or other commitments.

My view is that its probably a combination of the above.  Football in general is seeing falling crowds, and complaints about the lack of atmosphere and entertainment across the whole of Britain (good article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7168641.stm).

 

I think that rather than blame the football on display at Pittodrie for the (alleged) falling crowds, Pittodrie is just going the same way as a lot of other grounds across the country.  The rising costs are the main reason for the poor attendances IMHO.

 

Given we're on the brink of (hopefully) having the best season for 20 years, its the stay away fans that are missing out.

 

 

Do I pass as under 18?

 

Pass or act?   

 

 

(sorry)

Pass or act?   

 

 

(sorry)

 

Have a boo!

piss poor facilities, coupled with poor atmosphere and lets call it mediocre entertainment , it's no wonder a small number of fans have drifted away.

 

however the way some are talking you'd think before jimmy came on board we were having sell outs and Jimmy has chased half of them away personally.

 

in the grand scheme of things for AFC to get 12-13k for a home game is pretty good - but I can see no reason why we don't get 15k on average, i guess some stay aways just won't take to Jimmy and his style of football despite decent results

If the universities are not being enticed to come to games, there is something missing...

Why should they? Never see anyone promoting things around Glasgow Uni - you'd think Partick in particular would given there are student halls on their doorstep. Yes it might be a good opportunity but at the end of the day half of the people there probably support Rangers anyway and are unlikely to add 1000 onto the attendance at every game.

That's exactly why.  Toronto Argonauts (american football) promote at Ryerson Polytechnic University, York University, & University of Toronto.  All 3 schools try to outdo each other with game functions. Added about 2000 in attendance to every game.

If the universities are not being enticed to come to games, there is something missing...

 

...students, i'd imagine. 

Why should they? Never see anyone promoting things around Glasgow Uni - you'd think Partick in particular would given there are student halls on their doorstep. Yes it might be a good opportunity but at the end of the day half of the people there probably support Rangers anyway and are unlikely to add 1000 onto the attendance at every game.

 

I thought Thistle did do that? Their student village is at the end of my street and i see loads of them going to the match when Thistle are at home.

Why should they? Never see anyone promoting things around Glasgow Uni - you'd think Partick in particular would given there are student halls on their doorstep. Yes it might be a good opportunity but at the end of the day half of the people there probably support Rangers anyway and are unlikely to add 1000 onto the attendance at every game.

 

Partick Thistle managed to fall from the SPL to Division 2 in the space of a few seasons though. 

My point being that 'What Would Partick Thistle Do?' should hardly be one of the first things afc think about when forming marketing policy.

I thought Thistle did do that? Their student village is at the end of my street and i see loads of them going to the match when Thistle are at home.

 

Nope, zero promotion whatsoever. The only time I've been to a Thistle game off my own back (couple of seasons ago) they didn't even do student prices that season.

Partick Thistle managed to fall from the SPL to Division 2 in the space of a few seasons though. 

My point being that 'What Would Partick Thistle Do?' should hardly be one of the first things afc think about when forming marketing policy.

 

Good point Nellie. But more importantly, what would Brian Boitano do?

He'd make a plan and he'd follow through...