" CARDIFF CITY ATTENDANCE TODAY "

Cardiff City attendance v Fulham: Only 15,429 turn up to watch opening day draw

8 AUGUST 2015

BY GARETH ROGERS

With Wales playing rugby against Ireland in Cardiff and a midday kick-off, hopes were never high for a sell-out but Cardiff City's crowd of 15,

Cardiff City fans voted with their feet on the opening day of the Championship season as only 15,429 turned up for the 1-1 draw against Fulham.

After averaging 21,050 during last season's disappointing Championship return, the Bluebirds have struggled to sell season tickets this summer as a general apathy has coincided with the end of the generous five-year price freeze offered as part of the 'Golden Ticket' scheme by Peter Ridsdale in December 2009.

The Bluebirds are understood to have sold around 10,000 season tickets this year, compared to more than 16,000 last season.

In the Premier League season there were 22,500 season tickets sold and 18,500 in the year they won the Championship title.

A lunchtime kick-off and a rugby international in Cardiff always meant Russell Slade's team were not expecting to play in front of a sell-out crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium but today's figure was more than 4,000 below last season's lowest league gate of 19,711.

But during some games last season, attendance announcements were ridiculed as all season ticket holders were counted in the final figure, whether they went to the match or not.

Fulham brought nearly 1,000 fans down the M4, so the South Wales sun only managed to attract 4,500 floating fans for the season opener, which historically draws a good gate.

Last season's average crowd was the eighth highest in the Championship but if crowds continue to be this low, Cardiff can be expect to be much lower in the attendance table this season.

Get use to it. This is the crowd of a club of this level and city size. Even then it's a bit high.

Last seasons crowds were artificially high due to people buying ST's while we were still in the Prem and were hoping for survival.

Previous years were bulked up by promotion, play-off pushes and a new stadium.

Taking away success, all clubs will have crowds relevant to their location. We'd be smaller than Bristol City if there wasn't a Bristol Rovers.

I predicted 15K before the game and I cannot see the crowds getting any better. Unfortunately I think that the club's lack of transfer activity has not caught the imagination of the 'missing fans'.

There are probably some fans who are disgruntled at the lack of quality coming into the squad and given a chance would not have renewed their season tickets.

Crowds will only improve if we are doing well, we will have around 15k for the first month or so I think

Slades dire football last season is costing club.

Success breeds success.

Until a manager comes in and we play exciting football crowds will get worse.

Slades dire football last season is costing club.

Success breeds success.

Until a manager comes in and we play exciting football crowds will get worse.

About the same that was actually turning up last season tho. Why have an event like rugby on at the same time, ridiculous.

15000 Loyal supporters well done, doesn't matter who owns the club or manages the club loyal supporters keep the club going and has done and will always will well done who stay loyal to Cardiff City FC

Get use to it. This is the crowd of a club of this level and city size. Even then it's a bit high.

Last seasons crowds were artificially high due to people buying ST's while we were still in the Prem and were hoping for survival.

Previous years were bulked up by promotion, play-off pushes and a new stadium.

Taking away success, all clubs will have crowds relevant to their location. We'd be smaller than Bristol City if there wasn't a Bristol Rovers.

I agree, but truth is its the prices

15000 Loyal supporters well done, doesn't matter who owns the club or manages the club loyal supporters keep the club going and has done and will always will well done who stay loyal to Cardiff City FC

Exactly

Slades dire football last season is costing club.

Success breeds success.

Until a manager comes in and we play exciting football crowds will get worse.

Malkys dire football didn't stop people turning up