Attendances 2018

[ger121]

Early season crowds are usually higher but we will be into May soon and crowds for the top 5 or so seem to have increased and by a fair bit.

It would be interesting to compare these to Irish League current crowds as they are into the last 2 games. I'd say some of ours might be double in some cases.

I get what you are saying but we are into the 2nd series of games in a 10 Team League and they are still holding up. Summer does and will impact crowds but yesterday was a lovely day and attendances were good.

[samhaydenjr]

I reckon 6k plus next week at Turners cross and a capacity crowd at the Brandywell for the visit of Shamrock rovers of 3,700.

Is the second stage of development still going ahead? Because if Derry keep going the way they are, they'll hopefully need a larger capacity on a regular basis. For the first time when you see footage of them playing online, it looks like a proper modern stadium.

[oriel]

Irish Cup final: A record 10,000 tickets sold for showpiece deciderhttps://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43817659

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43817659

I was more interested in the Irish League regular league games as they are into last 2 games, but good to see 10k tickets sold as I don't think they exceeded this figure in recent years. There was an article last year from a NI fans group giving out about the price of the tickets and they compared this to the FAI cup final selling at €10 for most seats.

[nigel-harps1954]

Scarcely 400 in Finn Park

Turns out it was 585.

[outspoken]

Think 435 was given as CCS attendance. Didn’t think there was even 300 there tbh

[Olander]

Think 435 was given as CCS attendance. Didn’t think there was even 300 there tbh
I saw a picture on the Longford Town Instagram during the UCD game and I'm not having a go, but I didn't even think there is 200 in the main stand. Surely there wasn't much more than 100 people on the Section O side of the ground?

https://scontent-dub4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/9e0d034bd90008aa7aa171d4db8c80b3/5B603DD4/t51.2885-15/e35/30856089_1606561722794661_4308781959523336192_n.jp g

Someone said there was scarcely 400 at Finn Park for Finn Harps v Cabinteely also, that's worrying for Harps. It's hard to see how clubs are surviving on those types of gates. After losing against Shelbourne at the weekend, I'd say we will lucky to scrape 800 at Terryland for Cobh Ramblers on Friday.

[outspoken]

I saw a picture on the Longford Town Instagram during the UCD game and I'm not having a go, but I didn't even think there is 200 in the main stand. Surely there wasn't much more than 100 people on the Section O side of the ground?

https://scontent-dub4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/9e0d034bd90008aa7aa171d4db8c80b3/5B603DD4/t51.2885-15/e35/30856089_1606561722794661_4308781959523336192_n.jp g

Someone said there was scarcely 400 at Finn Park for Finn Harps v Cabinteely also, that's worrying for Harps. It's hard to see how clubs are surviving on those types of gates. After losing against Shelbourne at the weekend, I'd say we will lucky to scrape 800 at Terryland for Cobh Ramblers on Friday.

There was more our side than usual because of the good weather but maximum 100 yeah. In the stand photo, that first block with the L in the seating is all kids that were playing at HT. Maximum of 300 I would’ve said

[nigel-harps1954]

Someone said there was scarcely 400 at Finn Park for Finn Harps v Cabinteely also, that's worrying for Harps. It's hard to see how clubs are surviving on those types of gates.

Turned out 535 in Finn Park. In fairness, one of the tougher grounds in the league to judge a crowd.

Still, it was a poor crowd and performances on the pitch will definitely have to pick up to improve attendances.

Saying that, our budget was cut significantly this year and I'd worry more for Galway paying full time wages over Harps paying out under 4k a week.

[Olander]

Saying that, our budget was cut significantly this year and I'd worry more for Galway paying full time wages over Harps paying out under 4k a week.Our budget was almost cut in half and is not far north of the figure you quoted.

[nigel-harps1954]

Our budget was almost cut in half and is not far north of the figure you quoted.

How can full time wages be paid out of that?

[EatYerGreens]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43817659

I was more interested in the Irish League regular league games as they are into last 2 games, but good to see 10k tickets sold as I don't think they exceeded this figure in recent years. There was an article last year from a NI fans group giving out about the price of the tickets and they compared this to the FAI cup final selling at €10 for most seats.

The Irish League is averaging crowds of just over 1,000 this season. About a third of their Premier Division regularly get appalling crowds of just a few hundred : e.g. Carrick, Ards, Warrenpoint, Ballinamallard. That's despite decent away numbers when the bigger clubs visit.

Coleraine's last home game - a big derby fixture against Ballymena Saturday before last, had 2,440 at it, whilst Crusaders-Linfield on the same day had 2,265. That's the two teams vying neck and neck for the title, with a decent number of away fans present at both games.

The LOI is doing significantly better on both crowds and standard of football.

[Olander]

How can full time wages be paid out of that?
Because we're not full time maybe?

It's a crazy myth that Galway United are "full time". We train 3 days a week like most other teams in the First Division with a bit of gym if players can get off college/work. Maybe the only thing that throws people is that we train in the mornings, but most of our players go to school or college in NUIG/GMIT or go to work straight after training then. Our budget is not far off 4k and would be relative to a few other teams in the division.

[ToberonaTornado]

There is an attendance thread on the Irish League supporters forum(you need to be reg'd to view though iirc?>>> http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com/attendances.php

Average attendances after 18 matches(last update) were -

Ards 506
Ballinamallard 452
Ballymena 1216
Carrick Rangers 412
Cliftonville 1339
Coleraine 1702
Crusaders 1484
Dungannon 421
Glenavon 1286
Glentoran 1704
Linfield 2287
Warrenpoint 270

[EatYerGreens]

There is an attendance thread on the Irish League supporters forum(you need to be reg'd to view though iirc?>>> http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com/attendances.php

Average attendances after 18 matches(last update) were -

Ballinamallard 506
Ballymena 1216
Carrick Rangers 412
Cliftonville 1339
Coleraine 1702
Crusaders 1484
Dungannon 421
Glenavon 1286
Glentoran 1704
Linfield 2287
Warrenpoint 270

The first one is wrong there.

It's Ards (missing on your list) who are averaging 506 this season.

Ballinamallard are averaging 452.

[ToberonaTornado]

The first one is wrong there.

It's Ards (missing on your list) who are averaging 506 this season.

Ballinamallard are averaging 452.

Typing to fast and fat fingers a bad mix. Cheers & corrected the op above.

[Terry]

Nothing, of course. It doesn't really make a difference. That's my whole point. Galway are a basket case of a club with no training facilities dogged by infighting with local clubs; what do they bring to the league? (Exaggerated for effect, Galway fans!) Harps just kick the ****e out of players; what do they bring?

I know you are exaggerating, but i just taught I would point out that the club are now in talks to finally developing a training facility ! You wouldn't know this seeing as the Mervue United people mysteriously dissappeared within hours of the news becoming public knowledge.

http://galwayunitedfc.net/topic/4469-galway-united-friends-co-op-egm-27318/

[nr637]

I would have guessed approximately only 100 at the start of the Cobh Ramblers 1 v Drogheda 5 match on Saturday night. A lot of kids running around, but actual people in the stand seats or on the open terrace was very sparse. It was 4-0 at half time and I counted about 20 people still watching the game in the 2nd half.

[outspoken]

I would have guessed approximately only 100 at the start of the Cobh Ramblers 1 v Drogheda 5 match on Saturday night. A lot of kids running around, but actual people in the stand seats or on the open terrace was very sparse. It was 4-0 at half time and I counted about 20 people still watching the game in the 2nd half.

Was the same when I was down there last year. Not sure how the club keeps going

[bluemovie]

I would have guessed approximately only 100 at the start of the Cobh Ramblers 1 v Drogheda 5 match on Saturday night. A lot of kids running around, but actual people in the stand seats or on the open terrace was very sparse. It was 4-0 at half time and I counted about 20 people still watching the game in the 2nd half.

And a bus of 30 Drogheda fans turned away by the local sheriff. This league!

[thebronze14]

And a bus of 30 Drogheda fans turned away by the local sheriff. This league!
It's the #greatestleagueintheworld you know

[Nesta99]

And a bus of 30 Drogheda fans turned away by the local sheriff. This league!

Was it a serious comment someone made that it was Drogheda who contacted Cobh about not letting that bus group in to the game?

[nigel-harps1954]

Was it a serious comment someone made that it was Drogheda who contacted Cobh about not letting that bus group in to the game?

Yep. They were almost there too. Wonderful communication from Drogheda to their fans.

[Mr A]

23% of the crowd turned away. Must be a record!

[EatYerGreens]

Yep. They were almost there too. Wonderful communication from Drogheda to their fans.

What was the issue with them ? Schooligans on a day out ?

[nigel-harps1954]

What was the issue with them ? Schooligans on a day out ?

Won't claim to know the whole story, but it's something to do with the playoff in 2016 where there was crowd trouble in Cobh. Local schooligans from Cobh clashed with Drogheda fans outside the ground that day.

What I'm led to believe is, there's some sort of boycott ongoing at Drogheda, or some fans banned, or something along those lines. Club believed these were the ones traveling down to Cobh on the bus and rang ahead and informed Cobh Gardaí. Apparently though, those on the bus weren't involved in this playoff fracas in 2016 and the whole thing ended up a total sh!tshow for Drogheda.

[nigel-harps1954]

Week 9 Update: (Missing official figures from the last two Limerick home games and Pat's vs Waterford. Not even going to bother listing the First Div missing games)

PREMIER DIVISION

Bohs - 2,153 (2,006; 1,627; 1,724; 1,395; 1,597; 1,496; 1,488; 1,835)
Bray - 728 (966; 957; 769; 718; 891; 965; 1,121; 952)
Cork - 4,562 (4,559; 2,533; 3,263; 3,777; 1,965; 2,786; 2,128 FD; 1,693 FD)
Derry - 2,740 (1,517; 1,563; 1,124; 1,106; 1,446; 1,460; 2,135; 1,965 FD)
Dundalk - 2,803 (2,674; 2,738; 3,158; 2,534; 1,997; 949; 1,355; 1,877)
Limerick - 1,198 (1,610; 1,131 FD; 1,206; 757; 1,649; 734 FD; 569 FD; 598 FD)
Pat's - 1,706 (1,504; 1,088; 1,321; 1,386; 1,687; 1,474; 1,346; 1,756)
Rovers - 3,131 (2,809; 2,041; 2,890; 2,269; 2,763; 3,127; 3,779; 3,794)
Sligo - 2,099 (1,717; 1,750; 1,750; 1,959; 2,342; 3,007; 2,103; 1,807)
Waterford - 2,561 (1,550 FD; 314 FD; 460 FD; 470 FD; 478 FD; 453 FD; 466 FD; 619 FD)

FIRST DIVISION

Athlone - 109 (154; 156; 314; 653 PD; 754; 271; 200; 354)
Cabinteely - 300 (346; 352; 610)
Cobh - 235 (358; 403; 366; 223; 439; 2008 - 1,122 PD; 681; 368)
Drogheda - 464 (850 PD; 583; 813 PD; 1,064 PD; 817 PD; 977 PD; 811 PD; 859 PD)
Galway - 957 (1,376 PD; 1,169 PD; 1,290 PD; 975)
Harps - 751 (1,202 PD; 1,216 PD; 784; 449; 479; 429; 433; 644)
Longford - 517 (342; 488 PD; 803 PD; 567; 379; 365; 315; 230)
Shels - 703 (496; 554; 596; 713; 1,114 PD; 1,187 PD; 781; 737)
UCD - 326 (236; 297; 216; 397 PD; 487 PD; 506 PD; 558 PD; 610 PD)
Wexford - 223(338; 585 PD; 553; 331; 227; 302; 216; 343)


PREMIER AVERAGE: 2,356 (1,902; 1,476; 1,681; 1,502; 1,566; 1,630; 1,547; 1,512)
FIRST DIVISION AVERAGE: 458 (477; 476; 486; 495; 391; 372; 578; 682)

OVERALL AVERAGE: 1,452 (1,387; 1,117; 1,249; 1,160; 1,140; 1,125; 1,110; 1,095)


OVERALL PREMIER ATTENDANCE: 128,361 (376,627; 292,204; 332,805; 297,334)
OVERALL FIRST ATTENDANCE: 18,330 (53,461; 52,807; 54,474; 55,408)

OVERALL COMBINED ATTENDANCE: 146,691 (430,088; 345,011; 387,279; 352,742)

[Ezeikial]

Yep. They were almost there too. Wonderful communication from Drogheda to their fans.

Is that based on a social media post from a randomer who claims he was on the bus and someone told him that the club made a phone call? Or is it from something more reliable?

[Lim till i die]

Limerick sligo around 650

Limerick dundalk around 550

[EatYerGreens]

Limerick sligo around 650

Limerick dundalk around 550

Seems to have been a major drop in attendances at Limerick ? What's the reason for that ?

[Lim till i die]

Don want to spoil the great Irish novel I've been writing about it.

Suffice to say the reasons are many and varied.

A lot of the absolute crap that's going on would probably be forgiven if the team ever looked like winning/scoring a goal mind.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Seems to have been a major drop in attendances at Limerick ? What's the reason for that ?

Not to spoil LTID's novel, but bad football, bad results. I've only been in a position to go to one home game, earlier in the season against Bray, and that had a bigger crowd, but you could tell they were already getting a bit annoyed at what was on offer.

[Martinho II]

I saw it in written press that only 306 attended rovers v town league cup tie last night!

[nigel-harps1954]

Is that based on a social media post from a randomer who claims he was on the bus and someone told him that the club made a phone call? Or is it from something more reliable?

On account from a couple of different people. Some were saying just outside Cobh, others saying stopped on the motorway. I just went with an 'almost there' as a compromise.

[Ezeikial]

On account from a couple of different people. Some were saying just outside Cobh, others saying stopped on the motorway. I just went with an 'almost there' as a compromise.

I wasn't querying where the bus was stopped, but if there is anything more reliable about the allegation that the Drogheda board made a "phone call", other than social media posts from people who say they were on the bus.

[outspoken]

I saw it in written press that only 306 attended rovers v town league cup tie last night!

Sounds about right. Why the surprise?

[brendy_éire]

Sounds about right. Why the surprise?

Their average attendance this season is 3,131. That's quare drop, even if is the LC.

[placid casual]

The league cup is a chance for reserve's to play, so less interest from Rovers. Throw in the fact that Rovers were playing Longford, and its obvious that the game was about as enticing as a dose of the clap.
Cobh for the cup!!

[EatYerGreens]

The league cup is a chance for reserve's to play, so less interest from Rovers. Throw in the fact that Rovers were playing Longford, and its obvious that the game was about as enticing as a dose of the clap.
Cobh for the cup!!

I'd recommend the team visit the Sexual Health clinic anyway, as they were royally fcuked by Longford :D

[sbgawa]

I was at the match it was a funny atmosphere, people were almost taking pride in our masochisim coming out to watch a second string instead of watching the Liverpool match....especially as all the goals were going in in the Champions league.
Cant remember how many were at the Mochtas match id put it on a par with that.
the current run wouldn't help but I couldn't see many more bothering either way.
I was disappointed to go out

[Ezeikial]

On account from a couple of different people. Some were saying just outside Cobh, others saying stopped on the motorway. I just went with an 'almost there' as a compromise.


I wasn't querying where the bus was stopped, but if there is anything more reliable about the allegation that the Drogheda board made a "phone call", other than social media posts from people who say they were on the bus.

Nigel - any update on why you are suggesting that the Drogheda club board are responsible for this?

[nigel-harps1954]

Nigel - any update on why you are suggesting that the Drogheda club board are responsible for this?

My first post on the matter stated "what I'm led to believe".

I can only go with information I see elsewhere, since of course I wasn't on that bus myself.

You can only take someone at face value Ezeikial. If someone is happy to clarify otherwise, that's fine. Do you have information that would suggest it wasn't the doing of Drogheda as has been suggested by numerous people?

[Charlie Darwin]

My first post on the matter stated "what I'm led to believe".

I can only go with information I see elsewhere, since of course I wasn't on that bus myself.

You can only take someone at face value Ezeikial. If someone is happy to clarify otherwise, that's fine. Do you have information that would suggest it wasn't the doing of Drogheda as has been suggested by numerous people?
Well we can rule out Stephen Bradley anyway because Ezekial would have told us by now.

[sbgawa]

:) have you considered the possibility that Ezekial is in fact Stephen Bradley (DUN DUN DUN) but with a masochistic streak for self harm....

A sort of a Darth Vadar "I am your Father" moment on Foot.ie

[oriel]

Quick excel job inserting the 10 LOI and 12 IL top division clubs into a mega league table of 22. Interesting to note LOI accounts for top 5 and 8 of the best 10 crowds.


1 Cork 4,898
2 Rovers 3,325
3 Derry 2,740
4 Dundalk 2,739
5 Waterford 2,668
6 Linfield 2,287
7 Sligo 2,203
8 Bohs 2,131
9 Pats 1,706 Avg = 1,704 (from combined fig)
10 Glentoran 1,704 Avg = 1,704 (from combined fig)
11 Coleraine 1,702 Avg = 1,704 (from combined fig)
12 Crusaders 1,484
13 Cliftonville 1,339
14 Glenavon 1,286
15 Limerick 1,281
16 Ballymena 1,216
17 Bray 728
18 Ards 506
19 B'Mllard 452
20 Dungannon 421
21 Carrick 412
22 W'point 270

[nigel-harps1954]

6,672 in Turners Cross. Another superb crowd there.

[nigel-harps1954]

2,173 Waterford vs Sligo

[nigel-harps1954]

168 counted at UCD v Wexford

[NeverFeltBetter]

Think they said 480 or so for Bray/Limerick. Away fans made all the noise.

[disgruntled]

6,672 in Turners Cross. Another superb crowd there.

Place was jointed.
We reckoned there was more than what was called out.
Every foot of space was filled.

[Candystripe]

3,700 three deep in block J and K standing at the Brandywell at the rovers game. Loads standing either side of the Mark Farren stand stand.