Attendances

[Badly Ironed Shirt]

We clearly lost a good number of die hard fans through the rebrand, and thus they've stopped going and have had an effect.

However, the crap PL season, OGS, Slade and Trollope are all factors in people staying away, as well as South Wales' football public possibly being the ficklest bunch anywhere in the country, and it has been that was for as long as I can remember. We had Jason Koumas putting in one of the best individual seasons I've ever seen and we had 8k for Ipswich at home because we were mid table.

Not sure fickleness can be used as an excuse when you have spent most of the season on or around second place.

[The Lone Gunman]

I can only think of three seasons which match this one in terms of the chances of Premier league/Division One football through automatic promotion in the time I've been supporting the club - 1970/71, 2010/11 and 2012/13. The average crowds for those seasons were 21,535, 23,194 and 22,999 respectively.

The average attendance for this season so far is 18,886, a miserable fourteenth best in the Championship. I suppose if we were to go up automatically, that figure would get pretty close to the attendance for 70/71 at least, but it's hard to see us matching the two seasons from this decade.

This season's average is skewed somewhat by the alleged 27,000+ attendance for the early-season game against Leeds. I'm pretty sure there wouldn't have been any similarly large attendances brought about by cheap/free tickets in the other three seasons you mentioned.

The comparison with other clubs in those seasons is interesting. In 1970/71, City had the 4th highest average in the division. In 2010/11 it was the 6th highest. In 2012/13 it was the 5th highest. As you say, this season Cardiff are currently 14th in the Championship attendance rankings. Whisper it quietly, but even Bristol City's average is almost 2,000 higher.

If you had to name the five main factors in this season's low attendances, what would they be?

[insider]

Toshack being sold
Moving 200 yards across Sloper road
Liverpool are on the telly
My cat was ill
The rebrand

[Auntie Andy]

Please do, I’m sure it will be a non sexist joke.

[The Lone Gunman]

Please do, I’m sure it will be a non sexist joke.

After your comments earlier I checked my posting history for this season, which is very brief. Turns out that this is the one and only thread from 2017/18 in which I've commented on City's attendances.

[ken smith]

To be fair, I do whine a lot about the club - but the club mean(t) a lot to me and it will again. To be fair Cardiff are also winning a lot these days too - my whining is consistent and is not related to Cardiffs success.

Going back to some of the other points - there were some large crowds last night. 25000 for a mid table clash at Norwich. 18k at hapless Brum.

It would be crazy for anyone to say that the loss of crowds is down purely to the rebrand and/or Tan. I've never claimed that, despite accusations that I have. Talking of accusations, You also accused me on a forum I don't post on (but you're not obsessed, really you're not) of going in the PL season - for the record I didn't attend a single PL game. I attended some marches though.

It is equally crazy for people to claim that the rebrand has had a negligible effect.

The data sets are there. Compare 2011/12 with this season. Crowds went up in the first red season (I was there for many games) but a few of the old gang around me were losing interest. A few of us stopped after Brighton - I watched 2 more games the last being Charlton. People here boasted that the likes of TLG and Ken Smith (who both handed in their season tickets in Summer 2012 something I wish I had done) would be easily replaced. And, they were (I think Ken Smith actually replaced hisself for the PL fun). Until relegation from the EPL then both the replaceds and the replacers were nowhere to be seen.

Alfie Sherwood, Thames Valley Blue, Jordi Cule - just some posters alongside TLG who no longer go because of the rebrand. People still dispute that these people exist.

How though? What if Tan stays for 10 or 20 more years. You could be pushing 60 by then and have wasted years of your life.

I gave my ticket back so I could make my own mind up without feeling like I was forced to going. It cost me £30 and got the rest of my money back. I went to my first game after about 6/7 games as one of the boys wasn't going. I decided I could cope, although I didn't go to the Brighton game which would probably have turned me off for life.

[Gnojek]

I didn't start this thread. I didn't even give an opinion on it. Just stated a couple of facts.

I started this thread and at the outset I said it wasn't about us (and I meant it). I was genuinely amazed at how low the crowds were at Burton and Reading last night. I'm all for the underdog, but surely Burton deserve a bigger support playing at the level they are. It must be a concern across the board.

It was also related to a recent story about Sky TV televising all midweek lower-league games. To me you can't beat watching sport live - there's no comparison. I have an almost irrational hatred of Sky TV and the generation of armchair fans its generated through its hype and blanket coverage of sport. I appreciate not everyone can make it to games and that's fine, but I will always argue that being at the game is so much better; what you see (Warnock going nuts at the fourth official), what you hear (the "Where's your Thatcher gone?" from the Ninian Stand towards the Forest fans in April 2013 is still my all-time favourite) and what you smell (the half-time Bovril). You get none of that at home.

Sat in the Family Stand, I'm quite near the away fans and always look over to see how many turn up, especially for midweek games. My son regularly asks me when they'd have started out and when they'll get home. I have admiration for fans like those from Barnsley last night. Same for when we played Ipswich, and of course for our fans who made the exact same reverse trips this season. They are the lifeblood of the game and it worries me when Sky are proposing more TV coverage, which could kill attendances and atmospheres even more.

[Pearcey3]

Not ours but other games played last night. There were only 3,464 at Burton/Brentford and 8,631 at Reading/Bolton. Even taking into account their league positions and the probable small away support, they're both pitiful attendances. On the other hand, for Sunderland to get 26,081 in their current mess is amazing, even factoring in what was no doubt a good number of Villa fans.

A lot of Reading STHs are now boycotting the games because it is now so bad. I cannot believe Stam is still in charge

[Louth]

To be fair, I do whine a lot about the club - but the club mean(t) a lot to me and it will again. To be fair Cardiff are also winning a lot these days too - my whining is consistent and is not related to Cardiffs success.

Going back to some of the other points - there were some large crowds last night. 25000 for a mid table clash at Norwich. 18k at hapless Brum.

It would be crazy for anyone to say that the loss of crowds is down purely to the rebrand and/or Tan. I've never claimed that, despite accusations that I have. Talking of accusations, You also accused me on a forum I don't post on (but you're not obsessed, really you're not) of going in the PL season - for the record I didn't attend a single PL game. I attended some marches though.

It is equally crazy for people to claim that the rebrand has had a negligible effect.

The data sets are there. Compare 2011/12 with this season. Crowds went up in the first red season (I was there for many games) but a few of the old gang around me were losing interest. A few of us stopped after Brighton - I watched 2 more games the last being Charlton. People here boasted that the likes of TLG and Ken Smith (who both handed in their season tickets in Summer 2012 something I wish I had done) would be easily replaced. And, they were (I think Ken Smith actually replaced hisself for the PL fun). Until relegation from the EPL then both the replaceds and the replacers were nowhere to be seen.

Alfie Sherwood, Thames Valley Blue, Jordi Cule - just some posters alongside TLG who no longer go because of the rebrand. People still dispute that these people exist.

Obviously a few stopped going. Some were very local about themselves in doung so for an age. Almost wearing it as a badge of honour.
Even a few seasons later they still drone on about it.

[Hilts]

I started this thread and at the outset I said it wasn't about us (and I meant it). I was genuinely amazed at how low the crowds were at Burton and Reading last night. I'm all for the underdog, but surely Burton deserve a bigger support playing at the level they are. It must be a concern across the board.

It was also related to a recent story about Sky TV televising all midweek lower-league games. To me you can't beat watching sport live - there's no comparison. I have an almost irrational hatred of Sky TV and the generation of armchair fans its generated through its hype and blanket coverage of sport. I appreciate not everyone can make it to games and that's fine, but I will always argue that being at the game is so much better; what you see (Warnock going nuts at the fourth official), what you hear (the "Where's your Thatcher gone?" from the Ninian Stand towards the Forest fans in April 2013 is still my all-time favourite) and what you smell (the half-time Bovril). You get none of that at home.

Sat in the Family Stand, I'm quite near the away fans and always look over to see how many turn up, especially for midweek games. My son regularly asks me when they'd have started out and when they'll get home. I have admiration for fans like those from Barnsley last night. Same for when we played Ipswich, and of course for our fans who made the exact same reverse trips this season. They are the lifeblood of the game and it worries me when Sky are proposing more TV coverage, which could kill attendances and atmospheres even more.

It was massively odds on it would be hijacked to hear the same old stuff.

Sky TV has attracted big investors with no real interest in the club itself. Only way it stops is if people end their subscriptions. Aint going to happen,

[Superdad]

This season's average is skewed somewhat by the alleged 27,000+ attendance for the early-season game against Leeds. I'm pretty sure there wouldn't have been any similarly large attendances brought about by cheap/free tickets in the other three seasons you mentioned.

The comparison with other clubs in those seasons is interesting. In 1970/71, City had the 4th highest average in the division. In 2010/11 it was the 6th highest. In 2012/13 it was the 5th highest. As you say, this season Cardiff are currently 14th in the Championship attendance rankings. Whisper it quietly, but even Bristol City's average is almost 2,000 higher.

If you had to name the five main factors in this season's low attendances, what would they be?

Bristol City’s crowds are inflated due to the fact that kids pay £25 and with this they get a free shirt ..... I think they have shifted 6,000 of these , so their crowds are not reflective really.

[City123]

Bristol City’s crowds are inflated due to the fact that kids pay £25 and with this they get a free shirt ..... I think they have shifted 6,000 of these , so their crowds are not reflective really.

Why aren't they reflective? They've decided to give marketing a go, something Cardiff City are abysmal at. This season I haven't seen one advertisement for Cardiff outside of the stadium, why aren't the club marketing themselves?

[goats]

Attendances are pretty pathetic considering.

Personally believe it’s nothing to do with the rebrand.

I do, I think quite a few tolerated it for a while with the lure of seeing their team playing in the top division in their lifetime, for some possibly old fans the last chance ever. After a shocking season in the sunshine I reckon many never came back, Russell slades football, political infighting....life’s too short

[Superdad]

Why aren't they reflective? They've decided to give marketing a go, something Cardiff City are abysmal at. This season I haven't seen one advertisement for Cardiff outside of the stadium, why aren't the club marketing themselves?

Perhaps I’ve used the incorrect terminology. If we had the same deal (we had a similar “kids for free”deal under Ridsdale) then you could argue that out crowds would be at a minimum 2/3,000 higher.

[goats]

Jirga.

Every time we win.

Is he badly ironed shirt? I though jirga was a jack

[dml1954]

Why aren't they reflective? They've decided to give marketing a go, something Cardiff City are abysmal at. This season I haven't seen one advertisement for Cardiff outside of the stadium, why aren't the club marketing themselves?

They are but you are either missing it or deliberatly ignoring it. They have been on local radio and tv stations pushing season tickets recently and had coverage in the local press and online as well. They have many initiatives in the area in schools and clubs and hold special events at the ground on match days. Season ticket prices have not increased for a number of years and they have a number of games each season with special prices for kids and extra adults. Stating they are 'abysmal' is out of order.

[dml1954]

I state once again that our average home gate this season is just under 19000 and last season was 16500 - an increase of over 20%. Certain people just totally refuse to acknowledge this on this forum and spend their time trying to put a negative spin on everything. Luckily the people who run the club do see the wider picture, as do the majority of posters. Watching Slade and then Trollopes efforts at producing a successful team was enough to drive even the most ardent supporter to despair and the nearest tv screen.

[Superdad]

I state once again that our average home gate this season is just under 19000 and last season was 16500 - an increase of over 20%. Certain people just totally refuse to acknowledge this on this forum and spend their time trying to put a negative spin on everything. Luckily the people who run the club do see the wider picture, as do the majority of posters.

I think the away support average must be about 500 higher this season also , that said, we have also had really low followings too, so, perhaps, not too much of a factor?

Anybody got the comparisons?

[City123]

They are but you are either missing it or deliberatly ignoring it. They have been on local radio and tv stations pushing season tickets recently and had coverage in the local press and online as well. They have many initiatives in the area in schools and clubs and hold special events at the ground on match days. Season ticket prices have not increased for a number of years and they have a number of games each season with special prices for kids and extra adults. Stating they are 'abysmal' is out of order.

There is a massive billboard opposite the CCS. Its currently advertising the Six Nations game against Italy, abysmal is harsh but more could definitely be done

[Badly Ironed Shirt]

Is he badly ironed shirt? I though jirga was a jack

You are pretty dense, to be fair.

[Badly Ironed Shirt]

How though? What if Tan stays for 10 or 20 more years. You could be pushing 60 by then and have wasted years of your life.

I gave my ticket back so I could make my own mind up without feeling like I was forced to going. It cost me £30 and got the rest of my money back. I went to my first game after about 6/7 games as one of the boys wasn't going. I decided I could cope, although I didn't go to the Brighton game which would probably have turned me off for life.

Ah, so your boycott was over before Christmas? Fair play, you have a brass neck to pour any scorn on my decision to wait to see how the crowd responded to the rebrand. I got stung, I couldn't get a refund because I watched that Huddersfield game - and that game wasn't worth £399 so I continued watching games. As did you - just as soon as the PL became a reality - For the record, I saw 0 Cardiff games in the Premier League. How many did you see?

[Badly Ironed Shirt]

Ah, so your boycott was over before Christmas? Fair play, you have a brass neck to pour any scorn on my decision to wait to see how the crowd responded to the rebrand. I got stung, I couldn't get a refund because I watched that Huddersfield game - and that game wasn't worth £399 so I continued watching games. As did you - just as soon as the PL became a reality - For the record, I saw 0 Cardiff games in the Premier League. How many did you see?

More likely, Ken, you got a refund because the team weren't in the Premier League like you had hoped. Others were getting a refund because they felt strongly (more strongly than you or I) about the rebrand. You took the chance to join them because you couldn't stomach another season in the Championship.

Then, the team started winning. Premier League football was looking likely. So you ended your 5 game boycott and have been going ever since. You're a glory hunter...

[City123]

More likely, Ken, you got a refund because the team weren't in the Premier League like you had hoped. Others were getting a refund because they felt strongly (more strongly than you or I) about the rebrand. You took the chance to join them because you couldn't stomach another season in the Championship.

Then, the team started winning. Premier League football was looking likely. So you ended your 5 game boycott and have been going ever since. You're a glory hunter...

[Superdad]

Ah, so your boycott was over before Christmas? Fair play, you have a brass neck to pour any scorn on my decision to wait to see how the crowd responded to the rebrand. I got stung, I couldn't get a refund because I watched that Huddersfield game - and that game wasn't worth £399 so I continued watching games. As did you - just as soon as the PL became a reality - For the record, I saw 0 Cardiff games in the Premier League. How many did you see?

If you clearly feel that disenfranchised with Cardiff City F.C why do you still post on this board then ?

Why don’t you post on a forum that you are passionate about, whether it be another sport, a swimming forum, Rugby....

Can you explain why you continue to post on here ?

[ken smith]

More likely, Ken, you got a refund because the team weren't in the Premier League like you had hoped. Others were getting a refund because they felt strongly (more strongly than you or I) about the rebrand. You took the chance to join them because you couldn't stomach another season in the Championship.

Then, the team started winning. Premier League football was looking likely. So you ended your 5 game boycott and have been going ever since. You're a glory hunter...

More the fact I missed going to the pub before the match to be honest.