Sheffield Wednesday’s attendances in the first half of this season have shown significant increases in comparison with the same stage of the last campaign according to official statistics compiled by the football league.
The official football league website, www.football-league.co.uk has reported that attendances across the three divisions as a whole have increased by 3% on 2008/09 at the halfway stage and the Owls fans have aided this rise.
Crowds at Hillsborough in 2009/10 to date show an average of 22,374 against 19,619 last season - an increase of just over 14% which represents the 5th best improvement and the division. The only teams with higher percentage increases at this stage are the three clubs promoted from League One last season and Cardiff City, who moved to new stadium in the summer.
Healthy crowds of 30,000+ against Newcastle on Boxing Day and on the opening day of the season against local rivals Barnsley were a major contributor to the increase but last season’s halfway figures included the Sheffield derby and so with that game still to come in the second of this season and the traditionally well-attended final day of the season also being at home it is likely that Lee Strafford’s first full season as Chairman will oversee a significant upturn in match-day crowds at Hillsborough.
Owls fans will hope that new manager Alan Irvine can spark a revival on the playing field and give them the results that their loyal support warrants as a number of clubs in the division are showing a decline in attendances despite fairing better on the pitch.
To get an overview of how football league attendances are fairing in general at the halfway stage visit . http://www.football-league.co.uk/footballleaguenews/league-crowds-up-at-halfway-mark-20100108_2246528_1926865