THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

More evidence that football under Neilson this season is driving people away....

Average home attendance
2016/17: 10,307
2017/18: 9,062 (so far) down 12%

Average away travelling support
2016/17: 463
2017/18: 332 (so far) down 28.2%

Comparing the same fixtures - home (home fans only)
Note: Comparing identical games with the same kickoff times on the same day. I've also put the club's league position prior to the game so there is no argument of saying that we were in a much better position the previous season.

2016/17 v Rochdale (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 14th in the table) - 10,200
2017/18 v Rochdale (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 15th in the table) - 7,409 down 27.3%

2016/17 v Oxford United (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 15th in the table) - 8,448
2017/18 v Oxford United - (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 20th in the table) - 7,822 down 7.4%

2016/17 v Gillingham (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 15th in the table) - 8,157
2017/18 v Gillingham (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 20th in the table) - 7,318 down 10.3%

Comparing the same fixtures - away
Note: Aside from Bristol Rovers, all the other away fixtures aren't comparable (e.g. one was a sat kickoff, the other a tuesday evening kickoff).

2016/17 v Bristol Rovers (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 21st in the table) - 291
2017/18 v Bristol Rovers (3pm Sat kickoff) (Dons 15th in the table) - 225 down 22.6%

Observations
- Home attendances (home fan numbers only) are massively down for comparable fixtures playing at 3pm on a Saturday.
- Even when we were in the relegation zone we took 20% more supporters to Bristol Rovers for a 3pm Saturday kickoff, whilst on a similarly bad run.

Conclusion
With league position the same or similar in comparable fixtures, as well as the same day of the week and the same fixture time, the blame can only be on the style of football/entertainment factor. Even when we were in the relegation zone in November last season, without a permanent manager but playing KR/Barker's more entertaining style of football, we still attracted 20% more fans to a Saturday away game against Bristol Rovers.

I stopped going at the end of the Championship season, for entirely personal reasons. I gradually started going again. Sporadically, the odd game here and there, and decided to take my season ticket up again full time this season.

However...

I decided that I wasn't going to be as involved with the club as I was in the past. No more MKDSA committee, podcast, wireless shows, blogs, fanzine, away games. None of that shite. And to be perfectly honest I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would, and that's purely down to stepping back, and seeing it for what it is. A fucking game.

It's a pleasant enough way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Pint with some good company, bit of a chat. Somewhat tempered by the poor display on the pitch. But that's what you're going to get from Neilson, and the sooner folk accept that the better.

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You're entitled to an opinion, but your opinions shit.

Why should we accept poor football?
I'd stop going to away day's, if it wasn't for pre match, the football is awful, but don't see why we should accept it

That may be only me. I was far too wrapped up in the whole thing. It wasn't good for my mental health, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a breakdown of sorts. Not entirely to do with the Dons, but it didn't help.

My attitude now... Fuck it, it's only a game.

_________________
You're entitled to an opinion, but your opinions shit.

Wish it was easy to adopt that attitude. There are probably far more productive things I could do with my time.

You'll find it liberating. My garden has never looked so good. In-fact, rather than listening to yesterday's match on the wireless I spent an entirely enjoyable hour in the aforementioned garden.

I don't go for the club at the heart of the community nonsense. It's a football club. Some folk go, some folk don't.

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You're entitled to an opinion, but your opinions shit.

Whilst I accept your well researched figures, last season I feel there was an important difference:-

Lots of fans kept their season tickets from the Championship season and only gave up at the end of last season so it's not as clear as it seems

Same point though isn't it, in a way? Fans not being inspired enough to renew again. Also, a drop in average home attendance of 12% is fairly sizeable.

If anyones interested, here are our average attendances (including away fans) over the years...

National Hockey Stadium
2004/05 (L1) - 4,896
2005/06 (L1) - 5,776 +17.9%
2006/07 (L2) - 5,990 +3.7%

Stadium mk
2007/08 (L2) - 9,456
2008/09 (L1) - 10,550 +11.6%
2009/10 (L1) - 10,289 -2.5%
2010/11 (L1) - 8,512 -17.2%
2011/12 (L1) - 8,659 +1.7%
2012/13 (L1) - 8,612 -0.5%
2013/14 (L1) - 9,047 +5%
2014/15 (L1) - 9,452 +4.5%
2015/16 (CH) - 13,158 +39.2%
2016/17 (L1) - 10,307 -21%
2017/18 (L1) - 9,062 -12%

I think the drop might be even greater if the club didn't automatically include every season ticket holder whether or not they attend. I get the impression many season ticket holders are disillusioned, and aren't bothering to come to all the matches.
Yes, the club already have their money, but it kills the atmosphere, and they won't bother to renew an unused ticket next season unless there is a major change.

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I like clean air and low traffic

Yes you make a very good point. I just hope PW is seeing things.