BHA/Crawley/Eastbourne crowds last night

[seagullsovergrimsby]

The Eastbourne Borough attendance is what sticks out , with relegation beckoning their support is going the same way as Lewes's.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I see Wimbledon have Two league games before Crawley's next, they have to win those really or they are out of it. Shame.

 

[Pinkie Brown]

I don't think for a minute the rise of Crawley will have a long term effect on Albion attendances. Had Crawley been in this position several years ago when we were floundering on the pitch & Falmer was still a distant pipedream, then there may have been cause for concern. Given the size of the place & the success they are enjoying, I'm surprised Crawley aren't getting bigger gates despite the fact, many of the residents are Supporters of London teams. Personally, if I had my way, I'd shift the Sussex - Surrey boundary to Pease Pottage anyway.

Yes, we're top of the League & 6000 plus isn't brilliant, however:

1- The Withdean factor still exists & many people hate the whole experience so much, they won't go near the place no matter how well the Albion are playing. *Some* so called superfans may sniff at that, but thats the way it is.

2- The economic times we live in. Despite being top of the League, £24 to sit on top of pile of mechano is still a lot of dosh to many people. People are being screwed economically & are counting the pennies. Colchester on a damp night in January isn't a big draw to the more casual supporter who picks & chooses games due to finances.

Re Eastbourne's Attendance. Poor turnout for sure, but they were playing a team who I doubt would have bought any more than a handful of supporters. The financial factors mentioned above would probably have a bearing on the attendance too. On the field, they appear to be on a downward spiral & this will affect the attendances of any team that is is poor form. They made it to the Conference on merit & sound housekeeping (unlike Lewes). Whilst I have no affiliation to them whatsoever, I hope they survive.

 

[Phil B]

From Crawleys view, Luton are the main threat now.
But Wrexham have slowly picked up ground and Crawley play them Home and Away in the space of 4 days soon.
Those games could change things rapidly...

 

[chucky1973]

All the time Crawley are doing well the gates will continue to increase, average up about 1200 on last year and rising all the time. Just to clear something up , there was no 500 free kids last night, all paying people. There is a real good feel factor about Crawley Football and its good for the town and I hope to see that crowd get above 3k for the season run in when i hope they get promoted. I was at the wet withdean last night watching the mighty seagulls, but if Brighton had not been playing last night I would have gone to watch crawley play. They actually play some very decent football and have some quality players that would not go a miss in League 1 and will beat Torquay this Saturday (away form is excellent) and be in round 5 of the FA Cup!!!

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I think the crowd at Withdean is affected by;

Mid week bad weather - if it rains or look like rain puts some off
Mid week - the family stand appers to have a majority of adults for these games, loads of kids not allowed out on a school night
Away fans - example last night where Colchester brought 200 perhaps
Mid week - working folk, stuck late, doing shifts and too far/complex to travel in time

Wonder how the above will be affected by Falmer

 

[Goring Gull]

I think if Crawley go up they could well be in league 1 within a couple of seasons

 

[Steve Foster]

I think the crowd at Withdean is affected by;

Mid week bad weather - if it rains or look like rain puts some off
Mid week - the family stand appers to have a majority of adults for these games, loads of kids not allowed out on a school night
Away fans - example last night where Colchester brought 200 perhaps
Mid week - working folk, stuck late, doing shifts and too far/complex to travel in time

Wonder how the above will be affected by Falmer

Other than a roof over our heads during the game at Falmer the same factors will apply.
Indeed with some 10,000 people waiting for trains at Falmer, if it is raining, dark & cold, how long will folk wait for public transport in the elements.