20% increase in attendance so far this year!
Year
|
Att. Avg
|
2012
|
1,951
|
2011
|
1,613
|
2010
|
1,612
|
2009
|
Na
|
2008
|
1,796
|
2007
|
1,715
|
2006
|
1,548
|
2005
|
1,759
|
2004
|
1,863
|
2003
|
2,338
|
2000-01
|
1,709
|
There are 12 clubs in the premier Division. Each club plays each other 3 times for a total of 33 games. After 8 games (8 x 4 =32) we are 1/4 of the way into the 2012 season. Total attendance for the year is about 91,114. So far the league is doing a nice job of being consistent in trying to grow the sport. I want to get an average of the league attendance to see if the new expanded league (12 clubs in 2012) is growing. I will divide the total games played by total attendance. Total games = 47 (Monaghan United missed posting a home game attendance 48 – 1=47) 91,114/47 = 1,938.
1,938 is a great average compared to the last few seasons (so far). This average represents an increase of (1938-1613) = 325 more fans at the games this year. The 325 is a 20 % increase in attendance from the 2010 and 2011 seasons. This is a significant improvement with attendance. Only time will tell if the present clubs can maintain this attendance rate as some clubs will start to fall out of contention.
Here is a little look at how each club is doing in attendance.
1
|
Shamrock Rovers
|
3,938
|
2
|
Cork City F.C.
|
3,339
|
The leading 2 clubs in attendance are the Shamrock Rovers and Cork City F.C. I am grouping these two together since both attendances are over 3,000.
The Shamrock Rovers lead in attendance the last 2 years 2010-2011. They are again the leaders of the league with a whopping 3,938. They have more than double the league average. The Rovers also help to boost the other clubs attendance. Many fans want to see the defending champions play their club. They also want to see how their clubs stack up against good teams. What is also important is the Rovers have one of the biggest traveling supporters group. They go to many of the other Dublin Derbies. The Shamrock Rovers F.C. are owned by their supporters and do a great job of getting them to games.
Cork City F.C. is second in attendance with 3,339. This average to me is more impressive that the Shamrock Rovers. Why? ……….Well Cork City F.C. still gets the crowds even when they are not winning or challenging for the League Title this year. It is easy to support a winning club, but the Rebel Army supports Cork City F.C. even with a medium to bad club. Hats off the Rebel Army…impressive! Cork City F.C. has spent the last 3 years wallowing in the First Division so there was a question as to the Rebels Army commitment. This commitment was not waned. Cork City F.C. is owner by their supporters.
The Shamrock Rovers lead in attendance the last 2 years 2010-2011. They are again the leaders of the league with a whopping 3,938. They have more than double the league average. The Rovers also help to boost the other clubs attendance. Many fans want to see the defending champions play their club. They also want to see how their clubs stack up against good teams. What is also important is the Rovers have one of the biggest traveling supporters group. They go to many of the other Dublin Derbies. The Shamrock Rovers F.C. are owned by their supporters and do a great job of getting them to games.
Cork City F.C. is second in attendance with 3,339. This average to me is more impressive that the Shamrock Rovers. Why? ……….Well Cork City F.C. still gets the crowds even when they are not winning or challenging for the League Title this year. It is easy to support a winning club, but the Rebel Army supports Cork City F.C. even with a medium to bad club. Hats off the Rebel Army…impressive! Cork City F.C. has spent the last 3 years wallowing in the First Division so there was a question as to the Rebels Army commitment. This commitment was not waned. Cork City F.C. is owner by their supporters.
3
|
Sligo Rovers
|
2,787
|
4
|
Derry City F.C.
|
2,024
|
The next 2 clubs are in the 2,000 category when dealing with attendance. The 3rd and 4th best attended games are from our Northern Clubs.
The 3rd best club in attendance in the League of Ireland are your Sligo Rovers. Sligo Rovers has tremendous crowds even from the small population of Sligo (19,452). Sligo has been blessed with a quality clubs that has brought home the hardware to their faithful with FAI Cups in 2010 and 2011. This also means Sligo will play in the Europa League. Sligo Rovers are owner by their supporters.
Derry City F.C. is in 4th place with 2,024 average. The candy stripers are located north like Sligo however they are physically in Northern Ireland. Derry City F.C. also has a good supports group. Derry City F.C. is above the league average at 2,024. For losing so many good players last year, Derry City F.The means that of the 5 clubs that are owned by their supporters, 4 are in the top 4 in attendance.C. is the last club above the League of Ireland average. Derry City F.C. is also owner by their suppoerters.
The 3rd best club in attendance in the League of Ireland are your Sligo Rovers. Sligo Rovers has tremendous crowds even from the small population of Sligo (19,452). Sligo has been blessed with a quality clubs that has brought home the hardware to their faithful with FAI Cups in 2010 and 2011. This also means Sligo will play in the Europa League. Sligo Rovers are owner by their supporters.
Derry City F.C. is in 4th place with 2,024 average. The candy stripers are located north like Sligo however they are physically in Northern Ireland. Derry City F.C. also has a good supports group. Derry City F.C. is above the league average at 2,024. For losing so many good players last year, Derry City F.The means that of the 5 clubs that are owned by their supporters, 4 are in the top 4 in attendance.C. is the last club above the League of Ireland average. Derry City F.C. is also owner by their suppoerters.
Clubs under the Average attendance
5
|
St. Patrick's Ath
|
1,789
|
6
|
Bohemians F.C.
|
1,750
|
7
|
Shelbourne F.C.
|
1,491
|
The next group are the Dublin clubs. (St. Patrick’s, Bohemians F.C., and Shelbourne F.C. ) I am going to lump them together because of their similarities. I have to say I am disappointed with all these famous clubs for not exceeding the league average. I believe if the Rovers can get great crowds then these famous clubs should be able to also. The advantage they have is that they all play in Dublin which is the largest City in Ireland. They benefit from the large population to draw from, the media and the close proximity to have fans walk to games. They all have past Championships and tremendous history to banter about. They have the best travel schedules since they all play 12 games in Dublin. They even have the short commute to Belfield to play the Students. These clubs have to lead the league in attendance to make the league a viable league.
St. Patrick’s Athletic F.C. attendance usually keeps pace with the league average. They year is no exception. The has their best turn out when the Shamrock Rovers visited Richmond Park and 3,250 spectators showed. (Rover Fans were also in attendance). Bohemians F.C. has one of the lowest payrolls in the entire league. This is because of their disastrous financial shape. They had to let all their quality players(Chris Fagan, Christopher Forrester and present St. Pat's vice captain Mark Rossiter) go from 2011 season. They are playing with a very young and inexperience team. The Bohemians F.C.’s have done well placing 6th in attendance. Shelbourne F.C. once had a very large and dedicated following. The Shelbourne F.C. placed 7th with 1,491 average after 8 games. The Shel’s had to labor in the First Division for the last 5 years and this has tested the faithful of the shells supporters.
St. Patrick’s Athletic F.C. attendance usually keeps pace with the league average. They year is no exception. The has their best turn out when the Shamrock Rovers visited Richmond Park and 3,250 spectators showed. (Rover Fans were also in attendance). Bohemians F.C. has one of the lowest payrolls in the entire league. This is because of their disastrous financial shape. They had to let all their quality players(Chris Fagan, Christopher Forrester and present St. Pat's vice captain Mark Rossiter) go from 2011 season. They are playing with a very young and inexperience team. The Bohemians F.C.’s have done well placing 6th in attendance. Shelbourne F.C. once had a very large and dedicated following. The Shelbourne F.C. placed 7th with 1,491 average after 8 games. The Shel’s had to labor in the First Division for the last 5 years and this has tested the faithful of the shells supporters.
8
|
Dundalk F.C.
|
1,262
|
9
|
Drogheda United
|
1,194
|
10
|
Monaghan United
|
1,125
|
The 8th and 9th clubs are both from county Lough. They are Dundalk F.C. (Lilly Whites) and Drogheda United (Drogs). They both play in smaller cities in Dundalk and Drogheda, at roughly 30,000 inhabitants. They both have past championships and at times come up with quality teams that can challenge for the title. Drogheda United is in the running this year and has come up with a good quality club. Their attendance is also roughly the same.
Monaghan United is new to the Premier League this year. I was hoping they would average over 1,000 since they did not do that in the First Division. Even though Monaghan is only at 1,225 average I am happy with them. Monaghan lost their coach (Mike Cook) to Drogheda United at the beginning of 2011. Mike Cook signed some of his best players (Declan O'Brien, Eric Foley and Shane Grimes)from Monaghan to Drogheda.
This was terrible for Monahan United fans or any club to see their player ripped away atfer developing with another club. This is bad to see since Monaghan represent a typical club that could join the Premier League. These smaller club lose their identity when managers and core players are signed by other clubs. Could Longford Town be the next Monaghan United in the Premier League next year. Attendance will continue to suffer at the bottom. These new clubs join the league but the league has to grow. I am hoping the league could somehow stabilize the coaching and the constant player transfer to rival clubs.
Monaghan United is new to the Premier League this year. I was hoping they would average over 1,000 since they did not do that in the First Division. Even though Monaghan is only at 1,225 average I am happy with them. Monaghan lost their coach (Mike Cook) to Drogheda United at the beginning of 2011. Mike Cook signed some of his best players (Declan O'Brien, Eric Foley and Shane Grimes)from Monaghan to Drogheda.
This was terrible for Monahan United fans or any club to see their player ripped away atfer developing with another club. This is bad to see since Monaghan represent a typical club that could join the Premier League. These smaller club lose their identity when managers and core players are signed by other clubs. Could Longford Town be the next Monaghan United in the Premier League next year. Attendance will continue to suffer at the bottom. These new clubs join the league but the league has to grow. I am hoping the league could somehow stabilize the coaching and the constant player transfer to rival clubs.
11
|
Bray Wanders
|
975
|
12
|
U.C.D.
|
439
|
Bray Wanders is a disappointment since they are under 1,000 after 8 games. Bray has a nice population to draw from at roughly 27,000. The followers have to grow in this city and support their club. Bray Wanders have a competitive club and we all hope for more here.
The students are always near the bottom with attendance for obvious reasons. They only draw from other students. They do not have a city or a town to support them. The players will eventually leave UCD and play for another club if they are good enough or once their schooling is over. UCD is a major problem but until another clubs proves they are better they will remain in competion in the Premier LEague.
The students are always near the bottom with attendance for obvious reasons. They only draw from other students. They do not have a city or a town to support them. The players will eventually leave UCD and play for another club if they are good enough or once their schooling is over. UCD is a major problem but until another clubs proves they are better they will remain in competion in the Premier LEague.
Reviewing these attendance figures I realized that the top 4 clubs in attendance were owned by their supporters. The other club Bohemians F.C. has one of the lowest payrolls in the entire league however they are the 6th best in attendance. The more the supporters own the clubs the better attendance. Supporters are much more involved in their club and their clubs success. We are staring to see a trend and this trend is for the better. Galway has 2 clubs wallowing in the First Division. The supporters applied for a licence but were denied. I beleive once they take over a club or get their own we will see attendance bump up in Galaway.
I beleive it is very important for the league to have clubs in Cork, Limerick and Galway in the Premier Division. These cities tie the southern part of the country to the north. I beleive the league is hoping Limerick F.C. wins the First Division and Galway eventually will be be owner by their supporters.
I beleive it is very important for the league to have clubs in Cork, Limerick and Galway in the Premier Division. These cities tie the southern part of the country to the north. I beleive the league is hoping Limerick F.C. wins the First Division and Galway eventually will be be owner by their supporters.
There are 4 clubs in the Premier Division that the fans own their team.
1. Shamrock Rovers F.C.
2. Cork City F.C.
3. Sligo Rovers F.C.
4. Derry City F.C.
5. Bohemians F.C.
2 First Division Clubs
1. Cobh Ramblers
2. Finn Harps F.C.
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