What % of fans would disappear if we went down the divisions

[Mr Angry]

Pretty difficult to extrapolate forward based on past figures, especially figures based on inaccuracies (eg: that we had 25,000 supporters every week in the Prem; our ground holds 24,200 and we had 18,000 STH - or that we averaged 10k in the third tier at EP) If you want to make figures up, carry on!!

Its the season ticket holders who count here, as they make the commitment before the season starts. Casual fans are irrelevant in this debate IMHO.

The price of ST's are an important consideration, especially in the current economic climate, and I suspect that if we stay down the club will be in a pickle due to the marketing ploy of offering a renewal at the same price. This is because if we stay down and the ST price stays the same, a lot of current STH's won't bothering renewing, but if they cut the price to maintain the ST levels as best they can, then the most loyal supporters get penalised (or else get a chunk of money back).

If we stay down for a couple of seasons, I would expect our gates to average at 14-15K; go down to League 1 and that average will be 11-12k (fewer away fans as well).

10K hardcore fans is about right I suspect.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

at elm park we averaged about 10,000 when we were in the third tier,

When was that?

1962.

Crowds also rose by 1600 when we moved to the Madejski, despite having been relagated the previous year. Our last average in the 3rd tier prior to that was 6951, in our 93/94 promotion season. When we won promotion from the same division in 2002, crowds were over double the 93/94 level, at 14,115.

[Dirk Gently]

I'd say that we have a "hard-core" support (in the sticking with us, not the hoolie sense of the word) of about 12,00 - 14,000. They'll stay whatever happens..

[Gus the teenage cow]

I'd say that we have a "hard-core" support (in the sticking with us, not the hoolie sense of the word) of about 12,00 - 14,000. They'll stay whatever happens..

you've gone too nigh dirkers, no way do we have anywhere near 14,000 hardcore fans

[loyalroyal4life]

Gus is a fanny who hopefully wont be on here next season

[East Stand Ste]

dont give a oxf*rd....i will be there week in week out, whatever league.....blue sqaure south, still be there!!!

[rhroyal]

Just because a lot of fans jump on the bandwagon in the good times it doesn't mean they will all run away the moment we're back to how we were, some will become genuine supporters. We averaged 17,000 in 04/05 before the days when we seriously believed that we could win promotion. I think we'll still be pushing towards 20,000 next season if we stay down. The fanbase grows with success. We've had success recently, the fanbase is bigger.

EDIT at 22.35: According to football365 we're averaging 19724 attendance, which is 1724 more that Gus stated in the opening post. I expect Sheff Utd and Brum to drag that very near to the 20000 mark. When you then consider that all Premiership teams would sell out their away end whilst some Championship teams are poor with away support, we really don't have a crisis with Reading fans. Maybe 2000 - 4000 lost, but that's no disgrace following a relegation.

[rhroyal]

p.s. I only really got into Reading in 2001 so some may consider it impossible for me to be a hardcore fan. However I like to think I'll still be there if we go down again and take massive steps back.

[TFF]

Will you be renewing your ST Gus?

[working class hero]

I am more likely to stay if we do not get promoted. I hate the PL and am pondering on waiting to see if we go up before buying an ST [and not doing so if promoted].

[papereyes]

ever so slightly out of date comparison between us and Swindon over about 15-20 years



The spike in Swindon's support is 93/94

So ... attendence went up slightly in that first season in the Mad, but dropped the next

[Derbyshire Royal]

I think I must be a Hardcore Fanny!

I have followed the Royals since my dad took me in the 1960's, but hardly ever wath them live as I cant be arsed, or afford the long round trip. So I only get to the games local to me. Mind you if I still lived in reading I might baulk at the admission prices!

[largetrousers]

I think we will always grow on attendances from the past as more kids are coming along, and growing into regular supporters. If we dropped further down the leagues we would have natural attrition as the interest would not be there for some, however as long as we are in the mix we'll be ok. Compared to 5 years ago, how many kids would you see about the place with Reading kits on? Now they are everywhere, and in doing so are walking adverts for the club. Maybe this is down to over exposure in the prem, whatever the reason its good for the club as they are our future support, back in elm park days we couldnt dream of our current attendances as we couldnt fit that many into the ground.

I'd be interested to see how many STs are sold at the end of their current offer, bearing in mind the current financial state of this country and some people reconsidering their lifestyle luxuries.

[Ashfordroyal]

Its difficult to compare life in the top flight and current attendances, there are alot of people that slip under the radar.
Two examples.
When we palyed Man U in the prem, we used hospitality, the majority of the hospitality users, and the people in VIP seats were Man U fans, so although alot of Reading plastics may have attended, other teams bring in more than just the away end supporters by stealth.
Secondly.
A mate of mine is Leeds fan (I know, sad isnt it) he has a Reading membership card so he can get a ticket if and when we play them as he cant get a ticket for a sell out away end.
My point being, you cant really claim a loss in attendance is just Reading plastics staying away, when there are alot of away fans that slip in by other means, even if the away end is a sell out.

[Bristol Paul]

We're not Real Madrid,
We're not Barcelona,
We are Reading football club,
And a skanky, money grabbing, unambitious Polak is our owner.

Lol

[Huntley & Palmer]

LOLZ @ a cleaner at Hp in Eire talking about fans

[(.)Boobies(.)]

It isn't worrying, Gus, it's called the norm.
Our expenses reduce along with our income. We would be fine, although we have to hope JM's future replacement runs the club as well as JM has.

FWIW, I would still be there no matter what division we were in.

[Wax Jacket]

LOLZ @ a cleaner at Hp in Eire talking about fans

LOLZ @ two pages and a couple of dozen actual replies

[(.)Boobies(.)]

We're not Real Madrid,
We're not Barcelona,
We are Reading football club,
And a skanky, money grabbing, unambitious Polak is our owner.

He's English, you spasticated fuk piece!

[bigshaka'away']

What people are also overlooking is the impact of away fans on attendance.....in the prem the away end was full thus you can add another couple of thousand at least on the average......the lower you drop the more that has an affect on the overall attendance...

Also sine our capactity is 24200 its impossible we averaged around 25000 in the prem - take in segregation and i think our ave was closer to 23200, which is a long way from 25000.

Also a lot of the middle/middle upper class fans will watch the rugby instead. and there are many like that in Reading.

Also the fooball we are playing at the moment is pretty terrible to watch, so that also doesnt help attract a floater.