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[size=3]Turnout at Cross a worry for City[/size]
By Liam Mackey
CORK CITY are worried they could lose their reputation as the best-supported club in the country.
Adding to the disappointment at their failure to qualify for the Setanta Cup final was the poor attendance at Turner’s Cross for Monday night’s clash with Portadown.
“It was disappointing to see the ground one-third empty for what was effectively a cup semi-final,” said chairman Brian Lennox.
“You’re trying to make progress, to hold on to players and it’s frustrating for everyone.”
In his programme notes for the game, Lennox had expressed concern about a decline in attendances.
“What should be of concern to all of us are the falling attendances at our last three home games,” he wrote.
“If this trend is to continue, we will lose our label as the best-supported club in the league.”
The chairman also announced he will publish the attendance figures for home games.
“Don’t blame me if you are disappointed with these figures,” he wrote.
“You could not be as disappointed as I am.”
Capacity at Turner’s Cross is 6,700 and, with an average gate of 3,000, full houses are rare - last season City managed it three times, twice in Europe and for the final home game of the season.
“A lot of people have goodwill towards the club,” Lennox said, “but what we need to do is get them to go the extra mile by actually coming along to games.”
While City’s defeat means Shelbourne are the eircom League club in the running for the Setanta Cup first prize of €150,000 - and are guaranteed €80,000 as runners-up - Lennox says Cork’s disappointment is tempered by the knowledge that they hadn’t factored the potential cash bonanza into their budget for the year.
“Some other clubs might do it that way but we’re more realistic,” he said.
[from examiner.ie]
Originally Posted by patsh
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