Allardyce Dismay At Falling Crowd Numbers

By Mark Heys
January 19 2007

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has revealed his disappointment at the supporters who continue to stay away from the Reebok Stadium..

Last weekend's local derby with Manchester City attracted a crowd of just under 22,500 and Allardyce says that the lack of atmosphere had an affect on the players performance.

The Trotters are offering supporters free travel to next weekend's FA Cup tie against Arsenal but the Wanderers boss would rather spectators turn out in force for the home games as the club look to get back into Europe.

Allardyce beleives Wanderers need to recreate the atmosphere that is generated at Bolton's away games at the Reebok Stadium and has called for the public to turn out in force for the rest of the season.

"It is very good (the free travel offer) but I would sooner the fans turn up here and fill the Reebok Stadium,” he said.

“It is great to have the support when we go away from home but there is one underlying factor if you want to get into Europe and that is that the fans play a massive part with the atmosphere they create at the Reebok Stadium.

“Without that atmosphere, as we experienced against Manchester City last week, the players find it difficult to reach the top end of their game.

“We played 55 games last year. That was a more expensive demand on our fans than this year is going to be – we are only going to play 40-odd matches this time around – so we need them not to be complacent.

“We need them to turn up at home. They are great away from home as the hardcore will always look to travel away and give their support to the team and we have repaid them with some fantastic away performances

Bolton usually take a mixed following away from their home turf throughout the course of the season, with games such as the one at Middlesbrough tommorow, Fulham and Watford attracting poorer turn outs, yet games such as Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Manchester United being sold out due to their locality.

Clubs such as Wigan Athletic have re-addressed their decline in attendances in recent weeks and many other clubs are expected to follow suit in the times that lie ahead.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce recently stressed the need to address the lack of numbers turning out to matches following his sides recent game at home to Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

Premiership attendances on the whole are beleived to have had a sharp decline for the first time since the league first came into force back in the 1992-1993 season.