Some good points there Foxstreetfiveseven but let’s look at other considerations that need looking at since the early sixties and the Barrie Thomas era. True some fans did stop going but as the club fell down the league structure it was hard to judge attendances as a result of Barries transfer because the club was on a downward spiral. Also attendances rose pro rata when different eras since brought promotions, we have seen 7 or 80000 + gates at different times over different decades for some league games. We have seen a crowd of over 17000 for a league cup tie with Arsenal in the same decade Barrie was sold, we saw 19000+ against Newcastle in the mid seventies long after both Clemence and Keegan had been sold so some big crowds have been achievable since Barries time with us but regular 10000 gates did drop off it’s true but don’t forget other reasons were to blame too.
As working families found more income to spend on leisure football wasn’t the be all and end all of people’s lives anymore. Most working families began buying cars for the first time ever therefore gaining more independence and freedom of choice to do other things with their leisure time and this has continued over the years. People play more sport themselves, people go away for more weekends, they take longer holidays and a lot of these abroad. There are more things in life for people to do then ever before so following the local football team, particularly one that is struggling does not seem so attractive anymore and don’t forget the spectre of Sky and it’s constant live Premiership coverage if you are willing to pay and it would appear a lot of people are. Yes there are diehards and always will be but if the Iron had an upturn in fortunes then crowds would rise pro rata again so things are not quite as cut and dried as you make out IMO about the future of fans never reappearing. The hostility to The owner from a lot of the current fan base is undoubtedly massive right now but as Blackpool fans proved awhile back that if the owner eventually moves on then crowds will return and we should keep remembering that. Plus I feel that if by some miracle we find ourselves competing near the top of the National League next season then the home attendances will be more healthy then they currently are. That’s my take on it anyway.
