Jump to content

Why was the derby at Hillsborough not a sell out?


DT77

Recommended Posts

Taking an interest in Sheffield football because I live here, I was interested and surprised to see that the attendance figure for the recent SWFC v SUFC was 33,439 compared to Hillsborough's official capacity of 39,814.

 

Having got the impression that supporters of both teams would pack out the ground, 6,375 empty seats seems rather a lot.

 

Anyone know why?

 

Reasons I could think of off the top of my head would be:

 

- seat capacity lost due to segregation (netting and that lark)

 

- purchasing conditions; the necessary stubs etc

 

Or is the attendance actually reflective of demand? Put it this way, I would have come to sample the atmosphere if I knew I could have got a ticket - just assumed it would sell out.

 

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reasons I could think of off the top of my head would be:

 

- seat capacity lost due to segregation (netting and that lark)

 

- purchasing conditions; the necessary stubs etc

 

I think you've just about got it there. Wednesday made it very difficult for the home fans ( the regulars were ok ) but in fairness this was to ensure segregation was at its best. Having said that I would not have fancied another 6000+ squeezed in anyhow
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A simpler explanation might be that with Wednesday near the foot of the table and some fans thinking the result unlikely to be in their favour, why part with so much money?

 

It isn't a bad turn out actually and probably more than there'd be at the Lane if the boot was on the other foot (so to speak).

 

Maybe Wednesday fans are tired of lining their chairman's pockets, seeing little by way of return, in team investment and so on.

 

The attendence is the highest in the Championship this season, isn't it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wednesday made it very difficult for the home fans

This is true. I'm a proud part-timer (I like to pick and choose which games I see), but imposing conditions where you have to attend certain other games to qualify for a ticket just seems ridiculously unfair to me - not everyone can afford to pay extra in addition to the one match you do want (and not everyone can make it to the other games anyway)!

 

Still, if they carry on with their current form, they'll be paying us to watch. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A simpler explanation might be that with Wednesday near the foot of the table and some fans thinking the result unlikely to be in their favour, why part with so much money?

 

It isn't a bad turn out actually and probably more than there'd be at the Lane if the boot was on the other foot (so to speak).

 

Maybe Wednesday fans are tired of lining their chairman's pockets, seeing little by way of return, in team investment and so on.

 

The attendence is the highest in the Championship this season, isn't it?

 

Fair enough - a more emotive answer - and, by the way, my question really didn't have any implied criticism.

 

So, as a person who has been to one Wednesday game this season, would I have been able to fill one of those empty seats or would I not even qualify to buy a ticket?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is true. I'm a proud part-timer (I like to pick and choose which games I see), but imposing conditions where you have to attend certain other games to qualify for a ticket just seems ridiculously unfair to me - not everyone can afford to pay extra in addition to the one match you do want (and not everyone can make it to the other games anyway)!

 

Still, if they carry on with their current form, they'll be paying us to watch. ;)

 

Ah, you answered my question whilst I was composing it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not only that the neutral could not go, neither the occasional fan which is a shame. on a sport that requires customers, and being 25 million in debt or so, it dose seem silly that if we turn away 6,000 people, we are throwing away around £100,000 ....dose this make sense to any one

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not only that the neutral could not go, neither the occasional fan which is a shame. on a sport that requires customers, and being 25 million in debt or so, it dose seem silly that if we turn away 6,000 people, we are throwing away around £100,000 ....dose this make sense to any one

 

It's a fair point.

 

Does Arsenal/Spurs, Everton/Liverpool, Man City/Man United, Newcastle/Sunderland etc etc lose such capacity with surely a similar need for strict segregation?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.