What is the obsession with "missing" fans??

Who is missing? Nobody is missing as far as I see. We had a false high (which was obviously always temporary) for a few years due to on the field success and promises of future glory, but people are acting as if we have always had them come rain or shine and we are this massive club that is used to such a figure through the gate.

For my money, the reality is the total opposite. We are a small to medium sized club that comes from a largely apathetic City when it comes to football, with the majority of our support coming from immediate surrounding areas. People have just convinced themselves we are a big club deserving of such high attendances and are now naturally dissapointed, and I think its stopping them enjoying this season and giving all support to Slade and the team.

I have been supporting since the early 80's in Len Ashurst's first spell and apart from a short period, we have always been poorly supported. Below is our average attendances from each year.

1983 - 7036
1984 - 7067
1985 - 4363
1986 - 3061
1987 - 2826
1988 - 4390
1989 - 4385
1990 - 3642
1991 - 2946
1992 - 6191
1993 - 8560
1994 - 6072
1995 - 4543
1996 - 3420
1997 - 3594
1998 - 3610
1999 - 7131
2000 - 6895
2001 - 7962
2002 - 12,523
2003 - 13,050
2004 - 15,569
2005 - 12,976
2006 - 11,720
2007 - 15,223
2008 - 13,939
2009 - 18,000
2010 - 20,717
2011 - 23,194
2012 - 22,100
2013 - 22,999
2014 - 27,430 (Premier League)
2015 - 21,124 (Premier League hopeful of survival ST purchases)
2016 - 14,573

So our attendances have only been high in the period from 2009-2015 (and 2 of those seasons were PL ticket sales). For decades prior to that we averaged way way way below and our top attendances were similar to what we are seeing these days. So we have just returned to the pre 2009 days when we have rid ourselves of people just wanting to see Prem football. They have seen it now and are no longer interested.

Enough attendance talk and get behind the boys, in what is turning out to be a superb season!!

And the reason for the apathy 1 season in the top flight in the last 50years last top ten finish 10th 1954!(38000av attendance)last major trophy 1927.

And the reason for the apathy 1 season in the top flight in the last 50years last top ten finish 10th 1954!(38000av attendance)last major trophy 1927.

Yes I certainly agree with that. We are not traditionally a big club, nor a successful one. We do not have the right to demand the attendances some are talking about. The club hasn't earned them, It's ridiculous quite frankly. For where we are as a club, our attendances are about right. People seem to have selective memory when it comes to attendances. We are at our normal attendance figure again for the level we are at, the last few glory chasing years was not normality, it was abnormally high - due in no small part to your point you made, that people in our area hadnt experienced it for 50 years... Well they have now, so attendances are back to normal, stop wishing them back because they are probably busy 10 pin bowling or whatever they did before. They are not fans.

Time to support the boys and concentrate on the people who want to be there.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

Somehow this forum has to have a talking point to generate hits, so there's a negative spin added to it

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

I agree we do have missing fans, because we have grown as a club. Not sure why people look back at pre 2009. By the same token it's become an obsession on here and is getting very tedious. Do people not appreciate what's happened at the club over the last few years, that takes time to heal but it will heal. We are slowly seeing a change both on and off the pitch of late and no doubt about it will see better crowds next year as a result.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

With regards the stand, I disagree it's built it's an asset and while it hasn't helped us last few years it's not going anywhere.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

With regards the stand, I disagree it's built it's an asset and while it hasn't helped us last few years it's not going anywhere.

Great asset standing there vacant.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

They are not fans though are they, lets be fair... And besides, we all know where they are. If they were fans then they WOULD be here now. They were here with the hope they would get to see Premier League football in the city for the first time. Now they have seen it, they are no longer interested. So that isnt "missing" as such, they won't be coming back. They have seen what they wanted to.

If we get promoted we will no doubt get the day trippers again. Until then, if anybody thinks this club will be, or even should be, pulling in 20k attendances then they are nuts. This is our fanbase and this is where we are. The constant rabble of where these non existant fans are is depressing, they were barely here for 5 years out of the last 30 ffs, we coped before hand so im sure we can now.

Last edited by EalingBluebird on Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

They are not fans though, lets be fair, and besides, we all know where they are. If they were fans then they WOULD be here now. They were here with the hope they would get to see Premier League football in the city for the first time. Now they have seen it, they are no longer interested. So that isnt "missing" as such, they won't be coming back. They have seen what they wanted to.

If we get promoted we will no doubt get the day trippers again. Until then, if anybody thinks this club will be, or even should be, pulling in 20k attendances then they are nuts. This is our fanbase and this is where we are.

I'd say we average closer to 10k than 15k, we should be pulling in more than that. Playing in stadium that is only a third full is hardly inspiring, we might have to move to the arms park.

I'd say we average closer to 10k than 15k, we should be pulling in more than that. Playing in stadium that is only a third full is hardly inspiring, we might have to move to the arms park.

Im not sure why you think se should be. As ive shown, that has been our attendance figure for the vast majority of the last 30-40 years, the premier league isnt the promised land anymore, we have been there and done it. The stadium expansion was always going to be a bit of an white elephant should we be relegated, which was always likely. But I think increasing the sale value of the club was more important than sensible practicality at the time.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

With regards the stand, I disagree it's built it's an asset and while it hasn't helped us last few years it's not going anywhere.

Great asset standing there vacant.

Any asset that doesn't depreciate can stand until it's needed, ideal world w established in prem then had it but hey ho we got it now.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

With regards the stand, I disagree it's built it's an asset and while it hasn't helped us last few years it's not going anywhere.

Great asset standing there vacant.

Any asset that doesn't depreciate can stand until it's needed, ideal world w established in prem then had it but hey ho we got it now.

Well according to Ealing ayatollah our ceiling is 15k a game so what was the point of adding it, it looks shit and will never be used. We would even struggle to sell out in the prem now.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

With regards the stand, I disagree it's built it's an asset and while it hasn't helped us last few years it's not going anywhere.

Great asset standing there vacant.

Any asset that doesn't depreciate can stand until it's needed, ideal world w established in prem then had it but hey ho we got it now.

Well according to Ealing ayatollah our ceiling is 15k a game so what was the point of adding it, it looks shit and will never be used. We would even struggle to sell out in the prem now.

I didn't say it was our ceiling, I said that is our regular fanbase at this level. Any more through the gate and it usually coincides with some sort of glory hunting. Get promoted and I am sure we will get 20,000+ again. But to expect us to get that now is just fanciful. People are kidding themselves.

I quite like the smaller crowds.

Great view from my seat - no 7 foot gorilla in front of me restricting my view.
Small queues for a half time cup of tea.
No queuing three deep in the bogs for a halftime piss.
Easy to get out of the ground at the final whistle.
Roads nice and quiet on the drive home.

Stadium full of proper fans who support the team properly.

If they don't want to come, f**k'em.

It's their loss.

I quite like the smaller crowds.

Great view from my seat - no 7 foot gorilla in front of me restricting my view.
Small queues for a half time cup of tea.
No queuing three deep in the bogs for a halftime piss.
Easy to get out of the ground at the final whistle.
Roads nice and quiet on the drive home.

Stadium full of proper fans who support the team properly.

If they don't want to come, f**k'em.

It's their loss.

Spot on fella

I quite like the smaller crowds.

Great view from my seat - no 7 foot gorilla in front of me restricting my view.
Small queues for a half time cup of tea.
No queuing three deep in the bogs for a halftime piss.
Easy to get out of the ground at the final whistle.
Roads nice and quiet on the drive home.

Stadium full of proper fans who support the team properly.

If they don't want to come, f**k'em.

It's their loss.

Spot on fella

Agreed!

They might be missing but they're certainly not fans.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

A lot of sense there 48. I know it's his club but it would be great if the fans were asked to give an opinion on the new tier proposal before it happened. Can't see many fans wanting it built tbh

I quite like the smaller crowds.

Great view from my seat - no 7 foot gorilla in front of me restricting my view.
Small queues for a half time cup of tea.
No queuing three deep in the bogs for a halftime piss.
Easy to get out of the ground at the final whistle.
Roads nice and quiet on the drive home.

Stadium full of proper fans who support the team properly.

If they don't want to come, f**k'em.

It's their loss.

Exactly how I feel mate great answer

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

A lot of sense there 48. I know it's his club but it would be great if the fans were asked to give an opinion on the new tier proposal before it happened. Can't see many fans wanting it built tbh

What we miss in this debate is that it is a great asset for Wales games too, which currently will sell the stadium's 33,000 capacity.

And when we do get back to the Premier League, it will sell out then too.

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

A lot of sense there 48. I know it's his club but it would be great if the fans were asked to give an opinion on the new tier proposal before it happened. Can't see many fans wanting it built tbh

What we miss in this debate is that it is a great asset for Wales games too, which currently will sell the stadium's 33,000 capacity.

And when we do get back to the Premier League, it will sell out then too.

I seem to recall that was one of reasons the new stand was built, as well as being an international venue for other football and non-related events!

We've already had the fantastic UEFA Super Cup Final (which I attended and thoroughly enjoyed) and there are others in the pipeline, apparently

Tan stated it was never ALL about Cardiff City FC itself and that we had to start creating better revenue streams and the additional stand was just one of those

To me, it's a positive and impressive addition to the ground (even when empty) and its 'worth' showed when an additional 5000+ bandwagon jumpers were able to get tickets for the last couple of Wales FC games and it wasn't moved to the Millennium Stadium!

At the end of the day, it was Tan's money that built it and he can't take it with him when he goes, so win/win for Cardiff City FC long-term and there will be other events (including football) where 5000+ people will be grateful it is there!

Since 2010 we've averaged more than 20k, so yes we do have missing fans. Since the new stadium was built our attendances have been good and that's what I am basing my need to get missing fans back. We should never have built that new stand, I was always against it and was shot down here time and time again with the line "we need to grow".

Lets be honest 14k in a 27k seater isn't as bad as 14k in 33k seater with a big f**k off empty stand looming over everyone.

A lot of sense there 48. I know it's his club but it would be great if the fans were asked to give an opinion on the new tier proposal before it happened. Can't see many fans wanting it built tbh

What we miss in this debate is that it is a great asset for Wales games too, which currently will sell the stadium's 33,000 capacity.

And when we do get back to the Premier League, it will sell out then too.

I seem to recall that was one of reasons the new stand was built, as well as being an international venue for other football and non-related events!

We've already had the fantastic UEFA Super Cup Final (which I attended and thoroughly enjoyed) and there are others in the pipeline, apparently

Tan stated it was never ALL about Cardiff City FC itself and that we had to start creating better revenue streams and the additional stand was just one of those

To me, it's a positive and impressive addition to the ground (even when empty) and its 'worth' showed when an additional 5000+ bandwagon jumpers were able to get tickets for the last couple of Wales FC games and it wasn't moved to the Millennium Stadium!

At the end of the day, it was Tan's money that built it and he can't take it with him when he goes, so win/win for Cardiff City FC long-term and there will be other events (including football) where 5000+ people will be grateful it is there!

I take the points on board regarding to income streams (as of now, all non CCFC) being profitable to 'the club' (Tan). My opinion is though when not in use, it looks awful. I never really was into Lego as a kid, preferred scalectrix

They might be missing but they're certainly not fans.

Exactly post Ian, fans continue to Support their team/club through the good and bad times, don't just stop when the glory days stop

I stopped going to the ccs during the " glory days ". Does that mean that I'm not a fan?

I stopped going to the ccs during the " glory days ". Does that mean that I'm not a fan?

Jamie, u stopped due to the despicable rebrand and that I totally respect

You know what we are on about,they will be back as soon as it looks like Prem football again,those are the ones we are on about and then have a cheek to say to the diehard fans move on etc

I stopped going to the ccs during the " glory days ". Does that mean that I'm not a fan?

Yes, I respect your decision but as Annis says "support the team, not the regime".

I stopped going to the ccs during the " glory days ". Does that mean that I'm not a fan?

Yes, I respect your decision but as Annis says "support the team, not the regime".

I agree, it's what I would call an ex fan like others I know

Ok so this post has nothing to do with me. Think maybe mods there is a gremlin and one poster is showing as another?

I admit I may occasionally have a beer to many and forget a post but not an entire thread that I started and besides which i'm a Eddie May boy not Ashurst and i'd never be arsed with that much research around attendances

Actually having just made my last post I see that my user name is ealing_ayatollah and someone else has started posting as Ealing Ayatollah which is either a remarkable coincidence or someone needs to get more imaginative with their selection of user name!