Whither Rugby? 2007/8 - Club by Club Comparison

The previous article in this years ´Wither Rugby?´ series reported that average GP gates were down by 4.5%. That the drop however could be more than accounted for by specific events and that, despite this particular fall, the overall trend was upwards.

As always within the overall picture there are winners and losers. Let's first of all take a look at the numbers from last season.

Whilst bottom of this particular table, plaudits must go to Leeds . In their last season in the GP (2005/6) their average gate was 5.9k. The 2007/8 average was 22.7% higher than that. It should also be noted that this increase is not down to ground expansion or other external factors. Had they survived in the GP they could well have turned a few heads.

With Northampton's return to the GP next season it looks very likely that Newcastle will return to the bottom of the heap.

Leeds aside the two stars here are Gloucester and Leicester . In both cases the growth can be attributed to ground expansion and catering to the latent demand. Off field, it was a truly disastrous season for both London Irish and Bristol. The other number that catches my eye is the slight drop at Quins. How, I ask myself, can a team that played so well last season show a drop in gates? Does this prove the lie to the oft stated ´Success on field will attract crowds´? I'll look at all these and more in later articles.

Leicester continue to dominate. With further expansion at Welford Road coming on stream they look set to do for the next decade. The chasing pack comprises Northampton and Gloucester . Other clubs appear at this stage to be also rans.

The next article in this series will focus on London Irish, how they got themselves into their current difficulties and how they might begin digging out of the hole they have largely made for themselves.