English Football Crowds continue to drop

Too much television coverage, soaring season ticket prices, and boring tactics are all contributing to the decline of spectators at English Football over the first two months of the season.

The English Premier League in its 12th year, is for the first time, is seeing the number of fans at games dwindle at an alarming rate.

Just two weeks ago, Blackburn played host to Newcastle at Ewood Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Last year just under 30,000 fans piled into the illustrious stadium, however this year there was only 20,725 fans in attendance.

Nine of the 17 clubs that featured in last years Premier League season, have seen their spectator numbers drop, in some cases rapidly.

But isn’t just the Premier League where the problem lies.

Leeds United, one of the greatest supported clubs in the land, are now witnessing their once fortress Elland Road being half-filled every home game.

Part of the problem lies with outspoken chairman Ken Bates, who hiked season ticket prices up more than 40% in some cases.

Many diehard supporters have been put off by the high prices says lifelong Leeds supporter Ian Paley of Cheshire, “The ticket price increase is certainly paramount in this, especially families in the East Stand and students over 21 whose ticket prices have risen very sharply”.

But rising season ticket prices, are only part of the reason that Elland Road is half-full each week, according to Paley.

“Some fans have used the ticket price increase as a reason not to attend, but the real reason is that they don't want to pay to watch this standard of football anymore.”

The amount of games screened live on television, also has something to do with the crippling level of attendance.

Up to five games a week are shown live on British television, and fans are opting to save them £40 for a seat, and sit in the comfort of their own home and watch the game.

Chelsea, the biggest club in the world at the moment, have also been suffering from the decline in crowd numbers.

Despite their billions of dollars in the bank, the reigning title holders decided to charge £45 for the cheapest ticket in the house, even for children.

As a result only 29,000 turned up for the first game of their Champions League season, against Anderlecht.

Chelsea’s commencement to the new season has highlighted the lack of competitiveness in English Football at the moment – the Blues with seven games, seven wins, and just one goal conceded.

Only a handful of clubs have realistic ambitions for silverware, whilst the remainder of sides aim to achieve survival each season.

As a result, a growing number of matches see sides pack their midfield, and in conclusion this makes for a lack of goals, and fewer thrill for spectators.

Standing at Football is another thing, which if re-introduced could see a rise in attendances.

After disasters such as Hillsborough, standing was outlawed.

Terraces, seem to generate a much better atmosphere, which make the game more exciting.

Venues such as Cardiff’s Ninian Park, still have a terrace area – and if patrolled correctly, we may see a revival of standing at football.

In Australia’s professional football league, safe standing is allowed, and the terraces make for a much better atmosphere, says Patrick Drew of Melbourne.

“Standing is used very successfully at football in Australia and its no co-incidence that the terraces are full and the stands are empty.

People like to gather in the terrace, and make a cauldron of noise, and during the game the atmosphere is electric”.

The FA (Football Association of England) is undergoing an investigation in November, in response to the dwindling crowd numbers, and without a doubt – increased season ticket prices, and lack of competitiveness will be at the top of the list.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!