2011 attendances

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Irish Times had 1,294 in Richmond and 1,450 in Oriel

[Invincible]

So everybody at Pats-Bray would almost fit in the first half of the Main Stand. Funny

[superjohnny]

Irish Times had 1,294 in Richmond and 1,450 in Oriel

id have said 1400 at richmond alright, god their home crowds are awful

[oriel]

Irish Times had 1,294 in Richmond and 1,450 in Oriel

DFC.com also reported 1,450, sounds spot on to me, an awful cold and wet night, Galway had about 10 over (didnt even open the away section), we've had Linfield at home already, but still a bit disappointing for our first home league game. I would expect a vastly improved crowd for Bohs on Friday.

[monkey9]

Irish Times had 1,294 in Richmond and 1,450 in Oriel

I'd say there was more than that at Richmond Park. Probably between 16 and 18 hundred!

[monkey9]

About 600 or so Shams fans id say and the rest Rovers fans.

Do you think yous will keep up that attendance for the season or was it just first home match, still buzzing from cup final syndrome? What was the average attendence last season?

[Rasputin]

Do you think yous will keep up that attendance for the season or was it just first home match, still buzzing from cup final syndrome? What was the average attendence last season?
Cant see us keeping that at all.
First game of the season, against the title favourites, season after a cup final win against the beaten opposition.
After a few weeks it should eventually even out at the regular 2000 a game or so which is what we were getting last season.
Now if we had beaten shams I could see us getting alot more back.

[PartySaint]

Irish Times had 1,294 in Richmond and 1,450 in Oriel

Yeah id defo say more than that at Richmond, If you stuck everyone in the main stand it would have been almost full and I think that holds just under 2,000, If we have of been playing a team with more than 20 away fans if would have been an ok attendance

[pineapple stu]

Reckoned about 550 at UCD-Derry on Friday.

[Terry]

was at least 80 cork on the sullivan park side, and from the road you couldnt possibly see the only place people could take cover in which was in front of the clubhouse.

infact from the road its nigh all most impossible to see anything other than the lights


I could very easily see the entire pitch actually, myself and my daughter watched about 10-15 minutes of the second half from the main road over by covidien before the weather got the better of us. I thought a high wall was to be built around the grounds before they could play there?

[geezer]

eye sight is a lot better than mine so, There are 2 playgrounds between the pitch and the road, also the goals nearest the covidian facility must be 150 metres from the road. Yes people can see in but so what, a few signs mounted on the inside of the green grilled fencing would ensure you would have to squat, uncomfortable for 90 minutes im sure. Im sure they wont be too bothered either way if a few choose to watch from outside for all they would loose it would be a harmless activity. It would be like GUFC building a wall to prevent a few students looking in at Utd games from the houses at the back of the carpark in Terryland. It would be overkill to build berlin wall type structures just to stop a few rubberneckers from time to time.They seem pretty good , relaxed at working the crowd who come in and having tea and coffee available. Overall I was impressed, well drilled stewards, good match programme,they need seats but they will come, over 3 or 5 years im sure. It couldnt handle a cup match against shamrock rovers or a bigger club id say. Its enough to keep GUFC fans of which im one on our toes thats for sure

[El-Pietro]

impressed by what geezer? an open field?

[bluemovie]

I might have missed attendance figures for the two Blues games so far, but I'd hazard a guess at 500 at Waterford v Athlone and 200 at Monaghan v Waterford.

[bullit]

and 200 at Monaghan v Waterford.

WOWZA,the "R" Factor is certaintly proving a major draw at Gortakeegan :rolleyes:

[geezer]

impressed by what geezer? an open field?

Id say you are being fair on the spectators facilities but you have to give them credit for the pitch, its a lot more than any old field, there wasnt one puddle on it despite the rain all day and through the game. Condescending remarks from so called "big clubs" is to under estimate just what these types of clubs have in terms of infrastructure and built on good foundations,
and you clearly choose to turn a blind eye to the astroturf, clubhouse, gymnasium facilities. Most clubs in the premier dont have them facilities maybe its time we learned

[El-Pietro]

Id say you are being fair on the spectators facilities but you have to give them credit for the pitch, its a lot more than any old field, there wasnt one puddle on it despite the rain all day and through the game. Condescending remarks from so called "big clubs" is to under estimate just what these types of clubs have in terms of infrastructure and built on good foundations,
and you clearly choose to turn a blind eye to the astroturf, clubhouse, gymnasium facilities. Most clubs in the premier dont have them facilities maybe its time we learned


ive given them great credit for the fantastic training set ups they have, both Galway clubs. the pitch held up remarkably well given the weather, and I'm delighted for Mervue getting to play at their home ground. I actually said that I'm quite jealous of both clubs and wish we had something similar, and hope that some day in the not too distant future we will work towards that. I'm sure the astro turf etc brings in good revenue for both clubs.

But Fahys field and Drom are not football stadia, and its another black mark against the licensing system that they are allowed play their league games there.

I appreciate that we have to be flexible if we want to bring more clubs into the league, but I won't be going back to either ground anytime soon and I know that many Cork City fans feel the same.

Maybe I'm being overly harsh, I certainly wasn't this harsh after my trip to Salthill last summer, but thats because of the weather. Standing in the rain and snow for two hours was not fun.

I will say Fahys field is better than Salthill in a number of ways:

their pitch was in much better nick for our visit, Salthill had clearly let the grass grow because Cork City were coming to town, all the junior pitches were nicely trimmed

the area surrounding the field at Mervue was tarmac I think. It would have been much worse on Friday had it been grassy like at Drom

Finally, its far easier to get to. Salthill will likely struggle to build any sort of fanbase out there in the back of beyonds. Mervue is in a built up area and I can see them making headway and putting decent crowds together.

[geezer]

Will let thread get back to business now. Just think its a pity the cities of Cork & Limerick couldnt have 2 clubs similiar biting at the heels and keeping everyone competitive and not have all the league clubs outside dublin having their teams training in the phoenix park

[El-Pietro]

sure don't we have Cobh. Lovely league club they could be, with better spectator facilities and crowds than the Galway clubs.

I don't get your phoenix park comment, Are you talking about the Leinster clubs? City train out in Bishopstown. Which by the way is a better stadium than Drom and Fahys field

[stann]

I might have missed attendance figures for the two Blues games so far, but I'd hazard a guess at 500 at Waterford v Athlone and 200 at Monaghan v Waterford.
Not bad BM. There was no official figure in the press box, but the club are going with 535 for the Athlone game.

Geezer the Blues train in Waterford too, at the RSC and the new Carriganore complex. I presume you do mean Leinster clubs.

[cornflakes]

Or Ulster club Monaghan

[Yard of Pace]

Thought this was an interesting story. Anything like this ever been tried here? Got to be a lot of football loving foreigners in Ireland that could be reached out to. For instance there's a load of Brazilians in Dublin because its easy to get a visa for Ireland. Anyway, just a thought.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/14/ken-loach-bath-city-polish-fans

[PartySaint]

When Brian Kerr was involved with Pats a few years back there was an effort made to get a few foreigners down to games, We have a few African lads at games for awhile, brought a drum with them and had some interesting beats going, We also have a polish section on our website

[frenchman]

it's always good to try to widen your fanbase but we should be careful too. monaghan had an African day and also some form of international football blitz thingy a few years ago. the problem is that (touched on in the text) if you start giving different prices to different people it starts getting ugly. students and OAPs are given special prices because we presume it a difficult period of their lives and money-wise not great but giving a polish lad a 75% reduction BECAUSE HE'S POLISH is utter madness. we should try to mix with different communities in daily life and over time it will rub off on the local football team.......... I'm waiting to see the first chinese or Polish football club apply to join the league...will probably be looked down on by celtic fans...bloody cheek trying to set up a club in a foreign country in order to help with their identity!!!!!!

[peadar1987]

it's always good to try to widen your fanbase but we should be careful too. monaghan had an African day and also some form of international football blitz thingy a few years ago. the problem is that (touched on in the text) if you start giving different prices to different people it starts getting ugly. students and OAPs are given special prices because we presume it a difficult period of their lives and money-wise not great but giving a polish lad a 75% reduction BECAUSE HE'S POLISH is utter madness. we should try to mix with different communities in daily life and over time it will rub off on the local football team.......... I'm waiting to see the first chinese or Polish football club apply to join the league...will probably be looked down on by celtic fans...bloody cheek trying to set up a club in a foreign country in order to help with their identity!!!!!!


Agreed, but there are other ways of encouraging people to attend than financial. Have a special Polish programme printed, serve Polish food at the ground, and fly a Polish flag. Maybe even invite a famous Polish international to be a guest of honour at the game, if any would be available and up for it.

[thischarmingman]

When Brian Kerr was involved with Pats a few years back there was an effort made to get a few foreigners down to games


it's always good to try to widen your fanbase but we should be careful too. monaghan had an African day and...

When I had gotten this far into that post, my first thought was, "Oh no..."

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sVCa_xzR3jI/SpW9eXREjpI/AAAAAAAAAR0/uCzTzXyAfs4/s320/nick-griffin%5B1%5D.jpg

[frenchman]

just my point ........ in a world where we are trying to divide peoples it think the Polish indentity card thing is a bit risky.peader1987's approach is a lot softer could be looked into by clubs but I'd even be wary of the aftermath of that. to be honest i think the recession will do the league a favour (in any case a great start for the first two weeks.)for the photo competition here goes:-

http://www.denistouret.net/constit/sarkozy-president.jpg
NOW BACK TO FOOTBALL

[Candystripe]

Derry City V Sligo Att 4,097

[pineapple stu]

Updates after week 2 so -

PREMIER DIVISION
Bohs - 1,911 (2010 - 1,835; 2009 - 2,366; 2008 - 1,993; 2007 - 1,924; 2006 - 1,463; 2005 - 1,976)
Bray - 2,500 (952; 1,169; 1,106; 1,200; 1,027; 1,550)
Derry - 4,097 (1,965 FD; 2,436; 3,363; 2,614; 3,229; 2,698)
Drogheda - 750 (859; 1,106; 1,631; 1,919; 1,751; 1,682)
Dundalk - 1,450 (1,877; 2,371; 1,459 FD; 1,406 FD; 1,078 FD; 474 FD)
Galway - 1,512 (869; 1,076; 1,393; 2,199; 1,148 FD; 566 FD)
Pat's - 1,294 (1,756; 1,631; 1,795; 1,910; 1,342; 1,599)
Rovers - 5,263 (3,794; 3,611; 1,468; 1,715; 1,089 FD; 1,539)
Sligo - 4,200 (1,807; 1,756; 1,960; 1,448; 1,806; 1,794 FD)
UCD - 550 (610; 272 FD; 546; 663; 546; 653; 306 FD)

FIRST DIVISION
Athlone - --- (354; 462; 387; 670; 421; 316)
Cork - 2,102 (1,693; 2,681 PD; 3,142 PD; 2,897 PD; 2,941 PD; 3,644 PD)
Harps - 504 (644; 480; 1,607 PD; 1,164; 428; 1,347 PD; 1,106)
Limerick - 468 (598; 429; 517; 670; 364; 669)
Longford - 880 (230; 260; 406; 885 PD; 681 PD; 1,004 PD)
Mervue - 407 (123; 166)
Monaghan - 320 (410; 183; 177; 292; 204; 183)
Salthill Devon - 280 (122)
Shels - --- (737; 972; 986; 888; 1,690 PD; 1,949 PD)
Waterford - 535 (619; 434; 670; 1,181 PD; 915 PD; 1,513 PD)
Wexford - 400 (343; 494; 767; 810)

Premier Division average - 2,353 (1,512; 2,010; 1,746; 1,687; 1,535; 1,759)
First Division average - 655 (682; 417; 641; 722; 570; 520)

Overall average - 1,549 (1,095; 1,175; 1,221; 1,235; 1,070; 1,195)

I think I still have the week-by-week figures somewhere as well; I'll try dig them out for comparison later.

[Magicme]

Ours was closer to 300 actually as half the stand was full and a few down near the door so actually would say about 320.

[bluemovie]

Really? I was going to revise my estimate downwards having seen the piece on MNS. My estimates tend to be conservative though. Whenever a stand looks "half full" it's usually only a third full.

[John83]

There was a little squabble earlier about early season crowds, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to check how week 2 in 2008, 2009 and 2010 compared with the final averages.

2008 (http://foot.ie/threads/85021-2008-attendances?p=900088#post900088)
Premier average: 2,529 (final: 1746 - down 31%)
Overall average: 1812 (final: 1221 - down 33%)

2009 (http://foot.ie/threads/113280-2009-attendances?p=1125447&viewfull=1#post1125447)
Premier average: 2,634 (final: 2010 - down 24%)
Overall average: 1,521 (final: 1175 - down 23%)

2010 (http://foot.ie/threads/132489-2010-attendances?p=1335522&viewfull=1#post1335522)
Premier average: 2,038 (final: 1512 - down 33%)
Overall average: 1074 (final: 1095 - up 2%)

Currently, the Premier average is 2353. A typical decline of 25-33% would see that drop to 1550-1800 or so, probably up on last year, but then Derry are back in place of Fingal, so it should be up anyway.

[Magicme]

Really? I was going to revise my estimate downwards having seen the piece on MNS. My estimates tend to be conservative though. Whenever a stand looks "half full" it's usually only a third full.

Yeah the MNS piece showed the stand before people came out from the bar and also after people had legged it. The bar was packed at half time and the stand was still half full.

[Paddyfield]

1,014 was the official attendance at Terryland Park for Galway United V UCD.

[Dunny]

Dundalk V Bohs: 2,200(DFC.com estimate)

[DaveyPats]

I'd say about 4800 in Tallaght. Great crowd but nowhere near a sell out.

[Dunny]

I'd say about 4800 in Tallaght. Great crowd but nowhere near a sell out.

5913 Official

[Jofspring]

2,164 was announced at Turners tonight.

[DaveyPats]

5913 Official

Never that many at it. Lots on the rovers forum would agree with me too. Lots of empty seats tonight.

[avvenalaf]

Never that many at it. Lots on the rovers forum would agree with me too. Lots of empty seats tonight.

I think season ticket holders are included whether they show up or not.

[HulaHoop]

Never that many at it. Lots on the rovers forum would agree with me too. Lots of empty seats tonight.


Would have estimated around 5600 myself but 5913 seems to be the official electronically counted figure. As for empty seats apart from the buffer zone beside the away section there wasn't many. The rest of the main stand was pretty much full and the middle of the east stand was well overcrowded - all the aisles and walkways were full up and lots standing down at the front aswell.

[HulaHoop]

I think season ticket holders are included whether they show up or not.

They're not no. Theres an electronic counter in the control room that displays the attendance figure which is calculated from counting the number of times the stiles turn I think (can't remember the exact details)

[dfx-]

Never that many at it. Lots on the rovers forum would agree with me too. Lots of empty seats tonight.

Lots of seats and lots of people standing in front of the East Stand. I guessed minimum 5,600 before finding out the official figure

[MeathDrog]

Would estimate 900 at Drogs V Derry with about 150 Derry fans.

[Green&whitearmy]

I'd say about 1100 max at the bray sligo match, with around 200 or so sligo fans.. i stand for correction on it though, so people feel free to question this.

[OneForTheFuture]

Shels v Wexford 812 - official

[Dodge]

the middle of the east stand was well overcrowded - all the aisles and walkways were full up and lots standing down at the front aswell.

Should be docked points for muliple health and safety violations ;)

Great crowd alright

[Paddyfield]

I counted 47 at Salthill v Athlone tonight which is astonishing because there were more cars in the car park than people at the game. One guy kept moving so that figure could easily be 46 or 48.

There were probably more people in the Clubhouse talking about the rugby match than there were watching the game on the rain sodden pitch.

About 20 die hards from Athlone.

[Acornvilla]

extratime says about 250 at the town game, a lad i know at the game estimates 400, so I can say for certain there was 1 person at the game

[OneForTheFuture]

I counted 47 at Salthill v Athlone tonight which is astonishing because there were more cars in the car park than people at the game. One guy kept moving so that figure could easily be 46 or 48.

There were probably more people in the Clubhouse talking about the rugby match than there were watching the game on the rain sodden pitch.

About 20 die hards from Athlone.

Oooh the fcuker :D

Must have worms!

[MMVIII]

I'd say about 1100 max at the bray sligo match, with around 200 or so sligo fans.. i stand for correction on it though, so people feel free to question this.

Not a hope was there that much IMO. I'd say around 800 max with around 250 Rovers fans.