Since Cardiff City won promotion to England’s second tier in 2003 with a memorable play-off final against Queens Park Rangers, attendances have fluctuated quite drastically and here are possible contributing factors.
The stats:
Average Cardiff City attendances at Ninian Park, in the Championship, varied between 11,720 and 18,000, the latter figure being the final season at the historic ground. Since the move to the Cardiff City Stadium, attendance have averaged over 20,000 in every season, reaching a third all-all time club high of 27,430 – Cardiff City’s first season in the top flight of English football.
Despite a solid, positive start to the season under Russell Slade, attendances have averaged 14,431 in the four home games currently played. With an unbeaten record on the line against Hull City, you could be right in thinking attendances would improve to support the team, currently performing above most fans pre-season expectations. Yet, the 2-0 defeat at home saw the Cardiff City Stadium’s second lowest ever league attendance — just 13,763 — and only surpassing their previous home attendance against Huddersfield Town of 13,715 by 48 supporters.
Cardiff City Stadium move:
The move to the Cardiff City Stadium left a sour taste in some fans mouths, with those preferring a refurbishment of the old ground, which would have dispelled some of the attending faithful, those loyal to the home of Cardiff City.
However, the biggest reason for dwindling attendances is no doubt: Vincent Tan’s attempt at re-branding the club with a vision of red instead of blue, outraged fans and it’s clear, that despite Tan reversing his decision at the start of this season, that many fans still feel his involvement at the club is no longer viable.
On the contrary, the highest season average at the new ground, did take place during the 2013-2014 season in which the Bluebirds participated in their first ever Premier League season. It was a season where fans were happier to put their feelings towards Tan on the backburner to watch the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City visit the CCS, with the latter being defeated in a thrilling 3-2 match.
Malky Mackay:
The sacking of Malky Mackay also infuriated fans at the time, with no formal explanation given and after the journey the club, fans and the manager had together in gaining promotion to the Premier League, and it was another red mark against Tan’s name on the fans list of ‘don’t do’s’.
Premier League heartbreak:
The rollercoaster, thrill-seeking adventure of the Premier League ended with relegation and many loyal Bluebirds expected their team to bounce straight back to the top division the following season, but more turmoil was to embroil the club with the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a poor start to the season and an ever expanding squad, and in parallel, the wage bill.
The current manager; Slade:
Russell Slade’s appointment was a curious one to most football supporters and experts but after the uproar of the last 18 months, Tan, by now disliked by most of the Bluebirds faithful made his most surprising, but so far positive appointment.
With the first game of the season starting with over 15,000 against Fulham, after seven games with only one defeat and three victories and three draws, you would not be questioned in thinking the attendances would have risen, even if slightly, a rise and not a drop in support.
How to improve:
Earlier this week, Wales Online reported what the fans thought the club could do to help increase attendances, and one of the biggest amendments they called for, would be the reversal of Ali Yassine’s sacking, the Stadium announcer who had voiced over matches for 14 years with the Bluebirds. Other ideas within the report included changes in ground music, changing the red seating in the Stadium expansion to blue amongst other minor details.
Those supporters choosing to stay away will have their own reasons for doing so, but it is very likely that the majority are avoiding the ground due to one of the reasons above. Unfortunately for those who choose to do so, Vincent Tan appears to be sticking around, especially with the amount of money that has been wiped off of the debt and ploughed into the squad, he will want to see a return of investment before he decides to sell. A stand off between owner and fans that does not look set to conclude any time soon.
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