Quote:
Originally Posted by Alvin the chipmunk
In the same way that despite winning the FA Cup and being in the Premier League for years didn't attract the gates Wigan hoped for as they were and are a rugby town.
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Having watched and worked at the JJB (sorry DW now) on both Rugby and Football matches, I cannot say you are entirely correct on this assumption.
WAFC got gates of up to 25,000 when Premier league (although they probably averaged approximately 19,000) and the rugby club only fills the ground for internationals and usually averages 15,000, maybe a few more (PS the ground only holds 25,000). Obviously the crowds for the football have dwindled due to the consecutive relegations, but, and I am not certain, the crowds will surely be on the up, given the success of where they are in League One. As for Accrington Stanley, it has been said before, when they succumbed in 1962 we lost a lot of support to other teams, not just 5 or 6 miles away, but those in Manchester and further afield. Fathers then persuaded sons and daughters to follow these teams and not the hometown team. I have family experience of this because my stepdaughter supports Arsenal all because Thierry Henry used to play for them. What chance have Stanley got? Unless Stevie Gerrard comes to play for us for a season at the end of his US contract.