11,000

[JUNK YARD DOG]

wire had over 11,000 against quins who probably brought about 200. My question is how did we fall so far behind ?

[efcviking]

wire had over 11,000 against quins who probably brought about 200. My question is how did we fall so far behind ?

Success.

[Dan]

I would have thought Quins would have taken more like 50 to be honest.  Warrington is a very big town, rugby league is actually a very good game to watch, people like to jump on the bandwagon with a bit of success.  Wigan got 13,680 against the Crusaders and haven't won anything for years now.  If we won the cup last year I think we would have got 8-8.5K and when you consider the population difference that actually works out better.

[efcviking]

I would have thought Quins would have taken more like 50 to be honest.  Warrington is a very big town, rugby league is actually a very good game to watch, people like to jump on the bandwagon with a bit of success.  Wigan got 13,680 against the Crusaders and haven't won anything for years now.  If we won the cup last year I think we would have got 8-8.5K and when you consider the population difference that actually works out better.

They didn't and never do. They have a fan base of about 30 regulars who go most away games.

[local viking]

Bit of a mix of the above I would have thought.

Success brings its own reward when you think of picking up the fans who only attend when they feel like it and the curious who have never been a game before they saw the final on telly last year, Warrington are renowned for having quite a big gap in attendances.

They have had a sustained stint in sl, we havn't, we have had mismanagement and administration to take into account, they have had a reasonably steady road.

I too think that should we return to sl we would pick up a fair slice of 'sometime' fans, and also inspire some people to attend their first game, and taking into account the difference in town population, I really don't think we are doing too badly for this devision.

[Wirralviking]

And they also had Jedward as mentioned on the main board! Wouldn't get me arriving until a minute before kickoff if we had them as pre-match entertainment! But it no doubt got a few extra through the gate!

I think Warrington have worked steadily to increase the profile of the game, new ground, steady improvements to the playing staff, leading to silverware. When they were in their pomp in the 1940s and 50s with Brian Bevan wowing the crowds they would get 20,000, whilst we would be getting less than half that.

[Huggybear]

wire had over 11,000 against quins who probably brought about 200. My question is how did we fall so far behind ?

A combination of success and arguably luck?

[BarryJohn]

Surely we are missing the point? Who cares?

Good on w**e in a lot of respects, they have marketed their club in a manner which has enabled them to reach out to sections of the community, who haven't come from RL background but made 'going the game' cool etc. Widnes could only dream of this IMHO. Throw in the fact they are the CC holders, and have probably, and potentially the best new up and coming young player in the UK.

[Frost. D]

Surely we are missing the point? Who cares?

Good on w**e in a lot of respects, they have marketed their club in a manner which has enabled them to reach out to sections of the community, who haven't come from RL background but made 'going the game' cool etc. Widnes could only dream of this IMHO. Throw in the fact they are the CC holders, and have probably, and potentially the best new up and coming young player in the UK.

when did they sign Shane Grady?

[RB]

They just about doubled their crowds when they moved from Wilderspool.
In their last year at Widerspool I think we had a higher average crowd than them if not it was a very close run thing.

They have marketed well to a large town and brought people in beyond their traditional support base well done to them.

[neilw]

Correct well done warrington. I would suggest that it would do Widnes no harm to speak to and get some tips from them regarding their efforts to increase numbers on match days no matter what day of the week.

[reg warner]

Last season they had a fair few attendances of 8000/8600 and they got 10387 against Harlequins in their last match of the season.

[GSF]

A combination of success and arguably luck?

Fair play to Wire though,they were on their word in 2002,staring relegation in the face but they had the courage to spend money on transfer fees for two players,Westwood and Nat Wood and they haven't looked back since.Of course they may have escaped relegation anyway without those two but theres no doubt those signings helped galvanize the club and team.Then the new stadium increased their gates by about 60%.Fair play to them.Since that 2002 season,when we finished 7th, our respective fortunes have been a contrast to say the least.

[cheadleviking]

I really do not envy our club at all with the likes of the past 2  threads I have read here, widnes supporters really do make me laugh sometimes, success and support should never be taken for granted.  Widnes Vikings is proving to be one of those things that if you asked 100 widnes residents if they believe it is good and should be continued and then ask same people would/do you go? 98 of them would probably so ohhhh no sorry I have something on.

Why dont you turn this thread around and rather than asking a question, think of 2 ways in which attendances can be boosted whilst ensuring they are viable?

[Brynhild]

Surely we are missing the point? Who cares?

Good on w**e in a lot of respects, they have marketed their club in a manner which has enabled them to reach out to sections of the community, who haven't come from RL background but made 'going the game' cool etc. Widnes could only dream of this IMHO. Throw in the fact they are the CC holders, and have probably, and potentially the best new up and coming young player in the UK.

So basically in the same position we were 20 years ago, except they are better run and have better finances than we did so they will be able to sustain their run much longer.

Sport generally goes in cycles, but only when it is left up to sheer sporting ability. It's only when the plateau of the haves and have nots begins to emerge that things settle out and stay rigid. Look at the Premier League. 4 different winners in 20 years and the same big guns up there. Contrast that to the previous 20 and I think you'll see a different story.

We;ve just got to hope that rugby league stays in the cycle way of life and doesn't plateau out (at least while we're not 'on top')