FilthyDon wrote:
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’v Said before filthy your skills are wasted on here, wonder if the club has someone that can analyse things like you do.