" Is it Really that Bad ?"

The Cardiff City attendance debate: Will the crowds return if Russell Slade's Bluebirds keep winning?

22 OCT 2015

BY CHRIS WATHAN

In the wake of the Cardiff City Stadium's lowest ever league attendance for the win against Boro we look at how things can improve




Cardiff City are struggling to attract fans... despite impressive home form
Russell Slade has admitted the only way to stop Cardiff City’s crowds crashing any further is to simply keep on winning after the Bluebirds’ win over Middlesbrough was seen by just 13,371 – the club’s lowest league attendance at Cardiff City Stadium.

The paltry gate – boosted by season ticket holders that may well have stayed away – is the fourth successive time the club have failed to break the 14,000 barrier.

But what will concern is the fact attendances continue to fall with the win over Boro the lowest crowd at a Cardiff league fixture since a March 2008 clash with Leicester where 13,335 turned up at Ninian Park.



It comes at a time where the Bluebirds’ home form can be considered impressive enough; the late victory – earned through an 86th minute George Friend own goal after a solid defensive effort – was their fourth success on their own turf this term and their 13 points picked up from the six fixtures to date is only bettered by recently relegated Hull and early pace-setters Brighton.

In fact, the average 2.17 points per game being averaged by the side at home matches the record Middlesbrough boasted last year as they came close to automatic promotion before being denied a spot in the Premier League via the play-offs. It compares to the 1.52 average home points collected per game last season where many fans cited a lack of entertainment and Slade’s style being a turn off .

14,180
Average Attendance
There have been obvious attempts to better the football of the team this term but even Slade accepted there was a lack of entertainment during the “cagey” contest with Boro, Cardiff’s lack of chances made up for by their impressive organisation.

And, when asked what can be done to try and increase the numbers – with the 33,280 stadium currently averaging just 42% occupancy this season – Slade said: “I suppose we just have to keep on winning. This was our fourth win at home and our form here is pretty solid and I’d expect a decent gate on Monday for the game with Bristol City.”


The Cardiff City fans have been conspicuous by their absence so far this season
Cardiff City's biggest challenge: Improving the attendances

The first Severnside derby in two-and-a-half years should see an increase on recent numbers through the turnstile and could see the club avoid dropping below a 14,000 gate for the fifth league fixture in a row for the first time since February 2007.

As it stands, the club are averaging an attendance of 14,180, the lowest since the 13,939 that witnessed the final season at Ninian Park but if trends continue it could end up being the smallest average attendance since the 11,802 in the 2005/06 campaign.


The stats behind the debate

2015/16 ATTENDANCES

Fulham - 15,429

Wolves - 14,820

Huddersfield - 13,715

Hull - 13,763

Charlton - 13,980

Boro - 13,371

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE

14,180 (43% occupancy of 33,280 stadium capacity)

PREVIOUS AVERAGE ATTENDANCES

02/03 - 13,049 (In third tier)

03/04 - 15,569

04/05 - 13,029

05/06 - 11,802

06/07 - 15,224

07/08 - 13,939

08/09 - 18449

09/10 - 19413 (First season in new stadium)

10/11 - 22091

11/12 - 22,139

12/13 - 22,296

13/14 - 27,430 (In Premier League)

14/15 - 20,945 (Return to Championship)

We are at a low point in a cycle after recent success over the past 15 years.

I can remember not that long ago that we could only dream of an average attendance of 14k & 10k season ticket holders.

So despite everything our foundations are still better than they were, the missing ingredient is winning.

That said I still believe in this MB's message to the club to use this lull to get more fans (especially children) through the door by offering a number of special offers.

I know they don't want to upset season ticket holders but that could be addressed next year with offers for renewal if interest remains low.

No not all look at Blackburn Fulham and wolves last night .when you consider they have all got big premier league history behind them.they don't attract crowds at this level

We are at a low point in a cycle after recent success over the past 15 years.

I can remember not that long ago that we could only dream of an average attendance of 14k & 10k season ticket holders.

So despite everything our foundations are still better than they were, the missing ingredient is winning.

That said I still believe in this MB's message to the club to use this lull to get more fans (especially children) through the door by offering a number of special offers.

I know they don't want to upset season ticket holders but that could be addressed next year with offers for renewal if interest remains low.

I agree with you Tony that we are just at a low point in a cycle and the challange of improving attendances in not unique to Cardiff City. Just look at Hull City who averaged over 24K in the PL last season and are now glad to get 16k, on Tuesday they dropped into the 15k and not for the first time this season. Whatever the reasons cost is one of the major ones and the sooner clubs understand this the better.

Having said that as far as Mediawales is concerned they prefer, as has ALWAYS been the case, to concentrate on an issue like attendances rather than a positive of the good start the team has made to this campaign.

Worse than that in the case of Tucker and Wathan they are both making it a personal attack on Russell Slade and it speaks volumes about the both of them.

Boro and Bristol this monday, me and my 16yo boy 80 quid, says it all.

Boro and Bristol this monday, me and my 16yo boy 80 quid, says it all.

i bet thats just tickets, not including travell fee's (if you live outside cardiff and dont drive thats even more expensive)

food, drink....your looking at a fortune for 1 game :\

Boro and Bristol this monday, me and my 16yo boy 80 quid, says it all.

It was that price back in the Ninian park day s tho so the ticket prices are not that bad really

2008/9 season Bob bank tickets 25 pound 7 years on and it's not far off same price
http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/t ... ndex.shtml

There's still no value in it for fans who don't have much disposable income.

I'm fed up of hearing "well i pay it and think it's good value at £399 for a ST", of course you think so, that's why you bought one.

For the thousands and thousands who have stopped attending, most cannot afford the prices, a lot don't think it's value and then there's the few who just don't give a sh*t anymore after Mr Tan's antics.

The cheapest ticket prices keep increasing, yet clubs keep shouting about how on average prices are falling, but that is always at the higher end of the scale.

Offer an adult ST for £300 for most of the stadium and fans will return. The club can then make their money by ripping of the rich with £900 ST on a padded seat instead of driving away it's core fanbase.

Thats true wez but my 16 year old should not be paying 22 quid a game and the whole match day experiance is just not worth the money anymore imo.

Since Sam Hammam arrived at the club, the projection has been generally upwards. Crowds increased steadily along the way, but what really changed things was the cup final in 2008. Add to that the price freeze, play offs, league cup final, new stadium, and ultimately promotion, and we are looking at, probably, the most successful period in our history. Then came a disastrous rebrand, a farcical season in the PL, and relegation. All of a sudden, the curve is downwards. We are now a middle ranking Championship club, with a chance of making the play offs. The best comparison would be to compare our gates with ten years ago, or even with the 70s. They are not too different. This is probably our natural level. Those that came just for the PL won't be back until we're close to promotion again. If we stay mid table, top ten, then between 13 and 15k is probably our natural support.

13 or 14k at Ninian Park would not look too bad. In a 33k all seater stadium the gaps show up more.

It could be a lot worse. Personally, I'm enjoying this season. Tuesday was a cagey game, but that's how football is. Great win, though!

I think the crowds were actually fairly close to this last season aswell but the attendances given at games was fake.

Every game used to say 18-19k but there was only ever about 14k in the stadium!

Since Sam Hammam arrived at the club, the projection has been generally upwards. Crowds increased steadily along the way, but what really changed things was the cup final in 2008. Add to that the price freeze, play offs, league cup final, new stadium, and ultimately promotion, and we are looking at, probably, the most successful period in our history. Then came a disastrous rebrand, a farcical season in the PL, and relegation. All of a sudden, the curve is downwards. We are now a middle ranking Championship club, with a chance of making the play offs. The best comparison would be to compare our gates with ten years ago, or even with the 70s. They are not too different. This is probably our natural level. Those that came just for the PL won't be back until we're close to promotion again. If we stay mid table, top ten, then between 13 and 15k is probably our natural support.

13 or 14k at Ninian Park would not look too bad. In a 33k all seater stadium the gaps show up more.

It could be a lot worse. Personally, I'm enjoying this season. Tuesday was a cagey game, but that's how football is. Great win, though!

Bang on the nail - well said!!

Only ways to get back crowds are premier league football or low cost season tickets like at Bradford. 200 quid for adults, 100 for students and OAPs with 50 quid for kids. We'd get 20,000 season ticket holders that way. Other revenue streams would increase (catering, programmes, merchandise) and the club would benefit.

The one other thing that might help is more locals playing for the team. Nothing like seeing a young talent come through the ranks. As a young lad I saw the likes of Perry, Blake and Searle playing with passion for their club.

Well I am fed up of people who keep thinking football clubs should give fans tickets for nowt
we are decently priced Atm and people got to get over it
we could just give tickets away and get 25k plus but what's the point of that the club will go bust and piss of the season ticket holders that do pay full price

Well I am fed up of people who keep thinking football clubs should give fans tickets for nowt
we are decently priced Atm and people got to get over it
we could just give tickets away and get 25k plus but what's the point of that the club will go bust and piss of the season ticket holders that do pay full price

Totally agree with this ,I pay 345 pound a season which I think is bugger all ,I can spend that on a good weekend on the piss

Only ways to get back crowds are premier league football or low cost season tickets like at Bradford. 200 quid for adults, 100 for students and OAPs with 50 quid for kids. We'd get 20,000 season ticket holders that way. Other revenue streams would increase (catering, programmes, merchandise) and the club would benefit.

The one other thing that might help is more locals playing for the team. Nothing like seeing a young talent come through the ranks. As a young lad I saw the likes of Perry, Blake and Searle playing with passion for their club.

catering goes to compass city get miniscule amount out of it, but not sure if other things would rise that much!

Only ways to get back crowds are premier league football or low cost season tickets like at Bradford. 200 quid for adults, 100 for students and OAPs with 50 quid for kids. We'd get 20,000 season ticket holders that way. Other revenue streams would increase (catering, programmes, merchandise) and the club would benefit.

The one other thing that might help is more locals playing for the team. Nothing like seeing a young talent come through the ranks. As a young lad I saw the likes of Perry, Blake and Searle playing with passion for their club.

catering goes to compass city get miniscule amount out of it, but not sure if other things would rise that much!

Forgot about compass. Think that contract is up in next year or 2.

Most new this was coming.
3 years ago I wrote on here saying we lost 4000 approx due to rebrand.
In the premier season I was going to games on my own, where 60 or 70 used to go in seasons before.

One or two came, but the no standing or sitting together, stewards, colour, beer alienated them still and they will never come back.
Lads I talk to, miss the crack and say there is none at Cardiff.

These were loyal not glory hunters.
Even if Tan goes, blue back ets. All the wishes they claim for happened. The habit is bust and we need the crack back at the city.

Prices are not the sole factor here.

Standing areas, sit together zones with walk up friends, And an atmosphere is important.
Nash and stewards have a key role in trying to let us find a way in our stadium to regroup and come together.
End swap will help too.

Remmember borough are one of the top teams in this league and we managed a new record low.....not good

It's just not fun anymore

It's just not fun anymore

It's just not fun anymore

It really is this simple.....just no fun anymore

Well I am fed up of people who keep thinking football clubs should give fans tickets for nowt
we are decently priced Atm and people got to get over it
we could just give tickets away and get 25k plus but what's the point of that the club will go bust and piss of the season ticket holders that do pay full price

Totally agree with this ,I pay 345 pound a season which I think is bugger all ,I can spend that on a good weekend on the piss

Do you have kids? I had to pay 700 quid for me and my boy this season, Not value for money imo.