Withdean Wanderer
Banned
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/arg...3025.0.albion_battle_to_bring_back_crowds.php
Albion battle to bring back crowds
By Andy Naylor
Albion have slashed admission prices for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Boston at Withdean later this month.
Children can watch for free if accompanied by a grown-up and adult admission has been reduced to £10 in the south stand, £12 in the north stand, the only parts of the ground which will be open.
The way things are going the club may have to start introducing similar enticements on a regular basis for League matches.
continued...
Just 5,499 die-hards turned out for the 2-1 defeat by Chesterfield, the lowest ever Saturday attendance at Withdean.
Albion had been beaten in their previous three games. On the other hand, it was Dean Wilkins' first match in permanent charge and the first at home for a fortnight since the 4-1 thumping of Leyton Orient.
So why such a worryingly low figure? The most obvious but by no means only explanation is results.
Albion have a bigger proportion of fair weather supporters than most clubs, together with their own version of the law of diminishing returns.
History tells us the higher up the divisions the club goes the more likely they are to struggle, which has a depressing effect on turnout.
The substantial numbers of fickle followers means they would attract as many supporters against Mansfield if they were top of League One as they would against Middlesbrough if they were toiling in the Premiership. It is not just results, though. People have become tired of the whole Withdean experience and bored of the scandalously long wait for Falmer.
Seven years down the line a stale stench accompanies every home match. The novelty factor has well and truly worn off.
Albion have done their level best to make the most of the unconventional facilities but let's face it, it is pretty poor value for money.
That is especially so for visiting fans now that they are parked in uncovered seats miles from the pitch behind the west goal.
Only about 100 hardy souls made the journey down from Chesterfield. The small away following of clubs in League One compared to the Championship is also playing a part in falling attendances at Withdean this season. Albion are bracing themselves for another low turnout against Blackpool on Sunday. Crowds have been down for the last two Sunday home games, 5,848 v Crewe and 5,859 v Stoke.
I cannot imagine many making the long journey from Lancashire, when they can sit in comfort at home watching the lunchtime kick-off live on Sky. How many home fans will be thinking along the same lines?
The Chesterfield gate was only a few hundred above the lowest in the League at Withdean, on a soaking Friday night just before Christmas against Rochdale in League Two seven years ago.
At least the spectators who braved the elements that evening were entertained, even if the Seagulls were on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline.
Crowds love a hero. Dean Cox is threatening to become that player and the potential of Joel Lynch is obvious but he is a defender.
What really gets supporters off their seats is a forward with dazzling skills to produce or score goals, a Peter Ward, Frank Worthington, Bobby Zamora, Leon Knight or Seb Carole.
Unless Albion reach the third round of the FA Cup and draw a Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal, the likelihood is Withdean will never be sold out to its increased capacity of 8,850.
It must frustrate chairman Dick Knight and his co-directors to see all the time, effort and money which went into putting extra seats in going to waste.
What must be frustrating them even more is the ammunition falling gates gives to the anti-Falmer lobby. They would argue if Withdean cannot be filled why do Albion need a 22,000-seater stadium?
That misses the point. A new ground with modern facilities would encourage back the fair weather thousands, providing the club with extra income to afford better players and offer a much better value- for-money match day experience.
This does not even touch upon all the economic and social benefits to the community at large. In fact, Albion's Withdean woes emphasise the need for Falmer more than ever before.
Good report by Naylor for once. And EXACTLY why we need some sort of investment in the squad.
Albion battle to bring back crowds
By Andy Naylor
Albion have slashed admission prices for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Boston at Withdean later this month.
Children can watch for free if accompanied by a grown-up and adult admission has been reduced to £10 in the south stand, £12 in the north stand, the only parts of the ground which will be open.
The way things are going the club may have to start introducing similar enticements on a regular basis for League matches.
continued...
Just 5,499 die-hards turned out for the 2-1 defeat by Chesterfield, the lowest ever Saturday attendance at Withdean.
Albion had been beaten in their previous three games. On the other hand, it was Dean Wilkins' first match in permanent charge and the first at home for a fortnight since the 4-1 thumping of Leyton Orient.
So why such a worryingly low figure? The most obvious but by no means only explanation is results.
Albion have a bigger proportion of fair weather supporters than most clubs, together with their own version of the law of diminishing returns.
History tells us the higher up the divisions the club goes the more likely they are to struggle, which has a depressing effect on turnout.
The substantial numbers of fickle followers means they would attract as many supporters against Mansfield if they were top of League One as they would against Middlesbrough if they were toiling in the Premiership. It is not just results, though. People have become tired of the whole Withdean experience and bored of the scandalously long wait for Falmer.
Seven years down the line a stale stench accompanies every home match. The novelty factor has well and truly worn off.
Albion have done their level best to make the most of the unconventional facilities but let's face it, it is pretty poor value for money.
That is especially so for visiting fans now that they are parked in uncovered seats miles from the pitch behind the west goal.
Only about 100 hardy souls made the journey down from Chesterfield. The small away following of clubs in League One compared to the Championship is also playing a part in falling attendances at Withdean this season. Albion are bracing themselves for another low turnout against Blackpool on Sunday. Crowds have been down for the last two Sunday home games, 5,848 v Crewe and 5,859 v Stoke.
I cannot imagine many making the long journey from Lancashire, when they can sit in comfort at home watching the lunchtime kick-off live on Sky. How many home fans will be thinking along the same lines?
The Chesterfield gate was only a few hundred above the lowest in the League at Withdean, on a soaking Friday night just before Christmas against Rochdale in League Two seven years ago.
At least the spectators who braved the elements that evening were entertained, even if the Seagulls were on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline.
Crowds love a hero. Dean Cox is threatening to become that player and the potential of Joel Lynch is obvious but he is a defender.
What really gets supporters off their seats is a forward with dazzling skills to produce or score goals, a Peter Ward, Frank Worthington, Bobby Zamora, Leon Knight or Seb Carole.
Unless Albion reach the third round of the FA Cup and draw a Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal, the likelihood is Withdean will never be sold out to its increased capacity of 8,850.
It must frustrate chairman Dick Knight and his co-directors to see all the time, effort and money which went into putting extra seats in going to waste.
What must be frustrating them even more is the ammunition falling gates gives to the anti-Falmer lobby. They would argue if Withdean cannot be filled why do Albion need a 22,000-seater stadium?
That misses the point. A new ground with modern facilities would encourage back the fair weather thousands, providing the club with extra income to afford better players and offer a much better value- for-money match day experience.
This does not even touch upon all the economic and social benefits to the community at large. In fact, Albion's Withdean woes emphasise the need for Falmer more than ever before.
Good report by Naylor for once. And EXACTLY why we need some sort of investment in the squad.
