Our attendance figures?

[AdelaideGreen]

The 4th division crowds were much better compared to now.

Well yes, perhaps a little better on average, but not at the extremes.

Bradford averaging over 14,000 this season, Argyle over 10,000.

Average this season is about 4,700. In 1969/70 it was about 5,100.

No one was quite as low as Stevenage's sub 2,000 back then, but many pretty close.

Workington decorated the bottom of L4 for many years - replaced by Wimbledon in the 1970's.

The gap was actually larger AdelaideGreen. Bradford get nothing like 14,000 at home games and Argyle just over 9,000 in reality with attendees not recorded these days, but tickets sold including non attendees. The 4th tier average now is ptobably a further 10% less comparing like for like.

Fair point. I had forgotten that they recorded actual attendances then (and also most people actually paid on the day then).

 

[The Doctor]

I love looking at old league tables like these and seeing how clubs have shifted around. Interestingly, I counted just 9/44 teams who were in the top two divisions then but are not now (20%) whereas I counted 24/48 (50%) who were in the lower two divisions but are not now. Of these 24, 8 have gone up (joined by Wigan who came in and went up) and 16 have gone out of the league. So ONE THIRD of the teams in the lower two divisions back then are no longer in the top four divisions... It is clearly MUCH easier to go down (and out) than to break into the top two tiers.

 

[AdelaideGreen]

I love looking at old league tables like these and seeing how clubs have shifted around. Interestingly, I counted just 9/44 teams who were in the top two divisions then but are not now (20%) whereas I counted 24/48 (50%) who were in the lower two divisions but are not now. Of these 24, 8 have gone up (joined by Wigan who came in and went up) and 16 have gone out of the league. So ONE THIRD of the teams in the lower two divisions back then are no longer in the top four divisions... It is clearly MUCH easier to go down (and out) than to break into the top two tiers.

All the more amazing given that until 1986 there was no automtic relegation from L4. The bottom team could apply for re-election (up to 9 times?) and generally were successful.

 

[TheBoldman]

I find the fact that there are two Bradfords confusing - if Bradford City are in the 3rd Division then who is the Bradford in the 4th tier? Park Avenue?

 

[Old Gunner]

Swindon and Coventry the standouts for me there.

Me too. I remember the Coventry climb under Jimmy Hill from lower divisions, created huge interest at the time. Can’t remember the reason for the huge Swindon support though. Was that the year they had an amazing cup run? Don Rogers seems to ring a bell

Indeed, I was at Wembley with my Brother and Dad...Rogers was unbelievable and so were the Swindon supporters. Bobby Gould scored a late equaliser for the Gunners but we got well and truly duffed up. It was however the start of a very successful period for Arsenal after years of winning bugger all.

 

[Keepitgreen]

I find the fact that there are two Bradfords confusing - if Bradford City are in the 3rd Division then who is the Bradford in the 4th tier? Park Avenue?

Yes. Still going in some form I believe.

 

[Mark58]

Yes, about 7 in that 3rd tier no longer in the league. Torquay's gates were very high then for such a small town, averaging 8,000 plus in 68/69 compared to our 10,000 when we finished 5th and 6th in the same division. They had their best team ever then though with Jim Fryatt and Robin Stubbs up front and a very good centre half whose name escapes me. It was especially pleasing to see us beat them 6 nil on Boxing day in front of 20,000 plus, 4 from Bickle and 2 from Piper if my memory serves me right?
Attendances at that time were on a bit of a crest following our World Cup win but all the aggro in the 70s put paid to that and we then saw a decline. The 4th division crowds were much better compared to now.

That cb was Jimmy Dunne I think. This was about the time I started going. Torquay were our main local rivals back then as I remember

I certainly remember the intensity of that Torquay rivalry at the time, Mike. It was just as feisty as the present situation with 'those up the road'. Of course, the latter were well and truly entrenched in 'The Fourth Division' at that time so they were below the radar from our slightly loftier perch.

 

[Pogleswoody]

Bournemouth; 5,410 !!

 

[Devongreenowl]

Bournemouth; 5,410 !!

Bournemouth have always been a poorly supported club until their ascent to the Premiership. As recently ago as 2009/10 their average home Gate was 5-6k. Very much the poor relation on the south coast in terms of support.

 

[Devongreenowl]

Surprising how big Torquay’s average attendance was back then. Exeter’s were as pathetic as they are now.

Exeter City now compete with Exeter Chiefs rugby team for attendance figures, at a level 4 stages below.

What was their excuse before Exeter Chiefs more recent success? Their support has always been poor.