Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:10 pm  

Incidentally, does anyone know what attendance League Express and League Weekly are reporting this week for the Salford/Catalan game?

Are they too going with the laughable figure of 6,000?

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:18 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

What a contrived, if-my-aunty-had-balls load of piffle.

Why would our crowd v. Cas today be expected to be our 2nd highest home attendance? Did you get Cas and Wakey mixed up in your urge to be negative? If we got 10263 for Wakey last time then it obviously won't drop by 2K this season.

Just for you Angry Anteater!

You were right... it obviously won't drop by 2K this season. Try 4K instead!

Bradford v Wakefield attendance 2013 = 10,263
Bradford v Wakefield attendance 2014 = 6,249
Drop = 4,012

Oh... and Cas in Round 1 is still the Bulls 2nd highest attendance of the season.

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:23 pm  

Welcome back William.

I hope you had a good summer sabbatical?

Oh for the heady days of soaring attendances from Round One .

It’s plain to see the main offenders & the obvious reasons for the decline, but ten clubs down on last year!

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:30 pm  

That would be my worry more than Bradford and London. The overall decline whilst not earth shattering must be of concern for the clubs.

70k at Old Trafford will keep some happy, but it's the week to week attendances that pays the bills.

However if the super cheap season tickets have all gone then people will be more used to paying normal prices and it won't be such a shock to the system.

Next year the averages are going to be higher due to the system in place and the lower placed teams being cut adrift. So the computation for comparisons next year will be intriguing although I'm sure all will claim that they are right. I can only imagine average attendance per club being the closest thing to a litmus test.

I'm not sure why Wire are down so much this year. It's not like last year was terrible for them and even this year they are not a million miles off the top.

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:30 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

I can only imagine average attendance per club being the closest thing to a litmus test.

You'd think, but Nigel won't be able to contain himself. The original thread that Billy started back in 2013 was in direct response to Rotund Nigel's crowing about increased attendances back in 2012. I'd suggest that it would be better to take the average attendances for the top 24 sides this year and compare them like for like before getting to excited.

I am sure Billy can tell us exactly the difference if you remove London's home and away attendances from this years averages......I'd guesstimate that the overall average will be 5% higher and that's with 26 less games...the slightest increase in the average across the regular season next year (22 games + Magic) will be hailed as proof that the new system is working......overall I expect there will be little change.

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:39 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

That would be my worry more than Bradford and London. The overall decline whilst not earth shattering must be of concern for the clubs.

70k at Old Trafford will keep some happy, but it's the week to week attendances that pays the bills.

However if the super cheap season tickets have all gone then people will be more used to paying normal prices and it won't be such a shock to the system.

Next year the averages are going to be higher due to the system in place and the lower placed teams being cut adrift. So the computation for comparisons next year will be intriguing although I'm sure all will claim that they are right. I can only imagine average attendance per club being the closest thing to a litmus test.

I'm not sure why Wire are down so much this year. It's not like last year was terrible for them and even this year they are not a million miles off the top.

In regards to Wire, I think it's the issue that there no real need to win league games. I knows it's been said before but Saints could finish too, win their first play-off game. Then not make the final as they lose next game. Just no advantage for those finishing top.

Pre top 8 play offs. Teams and fans knew the Importance of finishing top 2. Now it doesn't matter where you finish.

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:20 pm  

The Devil's Advocate wrote:

Welcome back William.
I hope you had a good summer sabbatical?

I've had an excellent sabbatical during what's been a very decent summer thanks. Enjoyed the soccer world cup, Wimbledon and lots of other summer activities. I even took out a YCCC membership for the first time in yonks (I'd kinda lost touch with cricket since 1996... no prizes for guessing why) and they've kindly acknowledged my presence all season by being serious championship contenders this year!

It's been a pleasure committing to proper summer actiivities, the only blemishes I can recall are spotting Big Nigel occupying several front row seats (courtesy of Dick Lewis no doubt) on centre court at Wimbledon directly behind Andy Murray's chair... and the other blemish being last Friday at the Scarborough cricket festival between Yorks & Sussex when I once again spotted Big Nigel this time outside the corporate tent at the Trafalgar Square end corner eagerly awaiting all the free food and drinks.

Can't say I've missed the rugby at all during the summer... 12 rounds of fixtures which are a total and utter irrelevance where teams like Leeds can afford to wave the white flag of mediocrity and toss it off in losses against Wakey, Bradford and London without any fear of penalty or reducing their chances of silverware in any significant way,shape or foem. Arguably, they've probably increased their likelihood of picking up silverware instead! To suggest that Super League lacks credibility would be an understatement.

The Devil's Advocate wrote:

Oh for the heady days of soaring attendances from Round One

Indeed, have Round 1 attendances ever failed to disappoint? Not even the winter weather can keep the fans away in Round 1

The Devil's Advocate wrote:

It’s plain to see the main offenders & the obvious reasons for the decline, but ten clubs down on last year!

The key attendance indicators aren't the struggling clubs. It's the likes of Wigan, Warrington and Huddersfield whose attendances are indicative of a serious problem.

Wigan 9% down last season, down 4% this season (they won the double last season!).
Warrington down 7% last season, down 7% this season (recent CC winners, Grand Finalists and LLS winners).
Huddersfield down 17% last season, down a further 5% this season (current LLS holders).

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:26 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

In regards to Wire, I think it's the issue that there no real need to win league games. I knows it's been said before but Saints could finish too, win their first play-off game. Then not make the final as they lose next game. Just no advantage for those finishing top.

Pre top 8 play offs. Teams and fans knew the Importance of finishing top 2. Now it doesn't matter where you finish.

But if that were true, attendances would be down across the top 6 - and as I proved with saints, they're not. Blaming the system is lazy imo.

I'd guess the second grand final loss, followed by quick fire loses of messyrs Briers and Morley has proven too much for some of the more fair weather wire fans believing they "missed their chance" to win it - perhaps the club could of done more to consolidate their support in the last 4 years?

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:35 pm  

gutterfax wrote:

I am sure Billy can tell us exactly the difference if you remove London's home and away attendances from this years averages......I'd guesstimate that the overall average will be 5% higher and that's with 26 less games...the slightest increase in the average across the regular season next year (22 games + Magic) will be hailed as proof that the new system is working......overall I expect there will be little change.

You underestimate the significance of London's relegation from Super League and their effect on overall SL attendances.

Having now accounted for Salford's latest bullshit attendance of 3,100 (as opposed to the ludicrous figure of 6,000) against Catalans in the last round of fixtures... a figure which the CEO of Salford and League Express are now happy to report... the overall figures have now been modified and I shall post them shortly.

Overall SL attendances from 161 fixtures played (not including the Moonie Tragic Weekend fixtures) is as follows...

Total attendance after Round 24 is currently 1,290,484 from 161 fixtures at an average of 8,015 per fixture.

London's total attendance is 99,640 from 23 fixtures.

1,290,484 - 99,640 = 1,190,844

1,190,844/138 SL fixtures = 8,629 average (excluding London).

8,629/8,015 = 7.66% increase.

Re: Opening weekend sees attendances soaring by 12.70% : Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:47 pm  

*** UPDATED/MODIFIED ***

SL Round 24 attendances - comparison to same fixtures last year

Hull KR V Wigan in 2014 = 6,801
Hull KR V Wigan in 2013 = 7,894
% decrease = -13.85%

St Helens V Wakefield in 2014 = 10,708
St Helens V Wakefield in 2013 = 12,105
% decrease = -11.54%

Salford V Catalans in 2014 = 3,100
Salford V Catalans in 2013 = 2,200
% increase = +40.91%

Warrington V Castleford in 2014 = 8,391
Warrington V Castleford in 2013 = 10,721
% decrease = -21.73%

London V Leeds in 2014 = 1,268
London V Leeds in 2013 = 2,377
% decrease = -46.66%

Bradford V Hull in 2014 = 6,337
Bradford V Hull in 2013 = 7,914
% decrease = -19.93%

Huddersfield V Widnes in 2014 = 5,346
Huddersfield V Widnes in 2013 = 4,270
% increase = +25.20%

Total Attendance in SL Round 24 = 41,951 (Avg: 5,993)
Total Attendance same fixtures last year = 47,481 (Avg: 6,783)
% decrease = -11.65%

2 out of 7 fixtures in Round 24 have shown an increase in attendance compared to the same SL fixtures last year. 5 out of 7 fixtures in Round 24 have shown a decrease in attendance compared to the same SL fixtures last year.

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SL Round 24 attendances (V corresponding 7 fixtures 2009-2013)
SL 2014.. Round 24 total = 41,951
SL 2013... same fixtures = 47,481 -11.65%
SL 2012... same fixtures = 61,504 -31.79%
SL 2011... same fixtures = 58,357 -28.11% **
SL 2010... same fixtures = 51,433 -18.43% **
SL 2009... same fixtures = 51,447 -18.46% **

NOTE...** except replace Widnes with Crusaders

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Regular Season SL Attendances by Round in 2014 V Corresponding Fixtures in 2013

Round 1 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 71,744 (Avg: 10,249)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 66,109 (Avg: 9,444)
% increase = +8.52%

Round 2 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 58,829 (Avg: 8,404)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 59,229 (Avg: 8,461)
% decrease = -0.67%

Round 3 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 52,641 (Avg: 7,520)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 53,062 (Avg: 7,580)
% decrease = -0.79%

Round 4 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 51,246 (Avg: 7,321)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 52,108 (Avg: 7,444)
% decrease = -1.65%

Round 5 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 62,477 (Avg: 8,925)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 56,276 (Avg: 8,039)
% increase = +11.02%

Round 6 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 59.174 (Avg: 8,453)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 63,482 (Avg: 9,069)
% decrease = -6.79%

Round 7 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 55,493 (Avg: 7,928)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 58,746 (Avg: 8,392)
% decrease = -5.54%

Round 8 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 65,161 (Avg: 9,309)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 73,890 (Avg: 10,556)
% decrease = -11.81%

Round 9 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 60,012 (Avg: 8,573)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 55,814 (Avg: 11,692)
% increase = +7.52%

Round 10 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 68,989 (Avg: 9,856)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 75,178 (Avg: 10,740)
% decrease = -8.23%

Round 11 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 65,872 (Avg: 9,410)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 64,275 (Avg: 9,182)
% increase = +2.48%

Round 12 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 43,998 (Avg: 6,285)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 48,131 (Avg: 6,876)
% decrease = -8.59%

Round 13 (MOONIE TRAGIC WEEKEND) Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 64,552 (Avg: 9,222)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 62,042 (Avg: 8,863)
% increase = +4.04%

Round 14 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 52,774 (Avg: 7,539)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 59,216 (Avg: 8,459)
% decrease = -10.88%

Round 15 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 46,134 (Avg: 6,591)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 47,814 (Avg: 6,831)
% decrease = -3.51%

Round 16 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 51,644 (Avg: 7,378)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 62,354 (Avg: 8,908)
% decrease = -17.18%

Round 17 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 52,105 (Avg: 7,444)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 56,413 (Avg: 8,059)
% decrease = -7.64%

Round 18 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 64,595 (Avg: 9,228)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 75,100 (Avg: 10,729)
% decrease = -13.99%

Round 19 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 41,747 (Avg: 5,964)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 50,313 (Avg: 7,188)
% decrease = -17.01%

Round 20 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 53,972 (Avg: 7,710)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 57,667 (Avg: 8,238)
% decrease = -6.41%

Round 21 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 60,229 (Avg: 8,604)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 63,343 (Avg: 9,049)
% decrease = -4.92%

Round 22 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 48,617 (Avg: 6,945)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 52,563 (Avg: 7,509)
% decrease = -7.51%

Round 23 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 61,080 (Avg: 8,726)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 67,864 (Avg: 9,695)
% decrease = -10.00%

Round 24 Fixtures (7 in total)
Total attendance in 2014 = 41,951 (Avg: 5,993)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2013 = 47,481 (Avg: 6,783)
% decrease = -11.65%

Rounds 1 to 24 Fixtures (168 in total)
Total attendance for 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures in 2014 = 1,355,036 (Avg: 8,066)
Total attendance for same 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures in 2013 = 1,428,460 (Avg: 8,503)
Cumulative attendance loss = -70,524
% decrease = -5.14%

Out of 161 fixtures played throughout the regular season in 2014, 61 out of 161 have shown an increase in attendance compared to the corresponding SL fixtures last year. 100 out of 161 fixtures have shown a decrease in attendance compared to the corresponding SL fixtures last year.

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4 SL clubs attendances are currently up on last season.
10 SL clubs attendances are currently down on last season.

Club... Games... 2014... 2013... %gain/loss
Salford... 11... 52155... 34514... +51.11%
Castleford... 11... 75275... 67641... +11.29%
St Helens... 12... 143810... 132768... +8.32%
Hull KR... 12... 95610... 89566... +6.75%
Leeds... 12... 178198... 181558... -1.85%
Wigan... 11... 147400... 154052... -4.32%
Huddersfield... 11... 68747... 72051... -4.59%
Hull... 11... 113773... 120878... -5.88%
Widnes... 12... 67035... 71663... -6.46%
Warrington... 12... 119536... 128435... -6.93%
Catalans... 11... 86408... 95350... -9.38%
Bradford... 12... 79049... 103196... -23.40%
London... 12... 15426... 27334... -43.56%
Wakefield... 11... 48062... 87412... -45.02%
------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal... 161... 1290484... 1366418... -5.56%
------------------------------------------------------------
Moonie/Tragic... 7... 64552... 62042... +4.04%
------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL... 168... 1355036... 1428460... -5.14%
***************************************************

Current Average Attendances V Same Fixtures Last Year
Club... SL:2014... (SL:2013)
Leeds... 14850... (15130)
Wigan... 13400... (14005)
St Helens... 11984... (11064)
Hull... 10343... (10989)
Warrington... 9961... (10703)
Hull KR... 7968... (7464)
Catalans... 7855... (8668)
Castleford... 6843... (6149)
Bradford... 6587... (8600)
Huddersfield... 6250... (6550)
Widnes... 5586... (5972)
Salford... 4741... (3138)
Wakefield... 4369... (7947)
London... 1286... (2278)

Average... 8015... (8487)

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SL Rounds 1 to 24 total attendances comparison (2009 to 2014)
SL 2014 - 1,355,036 from 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures
SL 2013 - 1,428,460 from same 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures
SL 2012 - 1,595,921 from same 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures
SL 2011 - 1,482,582 from same 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures**
SL 2010 - 1,436,509 from same 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures**
SL 2009 - 1,455,439 from same 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures**

SL 2014 % decrease in attendances (V corresponding 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures)
V SL 2013 = -5.14%
V SL 2012 = -15.09%
V SL 2011 = -8.60% **
V SL 2010 = -5.67% **
V SL 2009 = -6.90% **

SL 2014 attendance losses (V corresponding 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures)
V SL 2013 = -73,424
V SL 2012 = -240,885
V SL 2011 = -127,546 **
V SL 2010 = -81,473 **
V SL 2009 = -100,403 **

SL regular season average attendances (V corresponding 161 fixtures + 7 Tragic fixtures)
SL 2014 = 8,066
SL 2013 = 8,503
SL 2012 = 9,500
SL 2011 = 8,825 **
SL 2010 = 8,551 **
SL 2009 = 8,663 **

NOTE...** except replace Widnes with Crusaders

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