Sheff Wed's Lowest Crowd for Six Years vs QPR

[QPR Report]

The article is re Sheff Wed's concern about diminishing crowds but possibly see Sheff Wed play a team which hasnt scored away for three months (and two all season) might not be that exciting anyway. Throw in Christmas and the economy and the weather, etc, etc.

TEAMTALK
Sheffield Wednesday chief executive Kaven Walker has admitted the club's falling attendances this season are a major concern.The Owls' recent defeat to Coventry was watched by the smallest league crowd at Hillsborough in over six years and it was even lower - less than 15,000 - for Tuesday's home win over QPR.

Walker told the club's official website: "What is particularly disappointing is that 3,300 season-ticket holders did not turn up for the QPR game and around 3,000 failed to take their seats for the Coventry City match in November.

"Clearly this is not an issue about price as those supporters have already paid their admission for the season.

"We are in a better league position than at this time last season and we have the same board, we are in the same financial position, so it is difficult to see why season-ticket holders are choosing not to come to games."

The Owls have introduced 'Kids for a Quid' against Blackpool on Boxing Day and 'Tenner a Ticket' for the Charlton match on January 17 in a bid to address the problem.

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/10122008/1/owls-chief-s-crowd-fears.html

[londonranger]

Its the economy stupid

[QPR Report]

Yorkshire Post -Wednesday left bemused as 3,000 fans go missing

Wanted: Three thousand missing Sheffield Wednesday season ticket holders. Last seen possibly at Meadowhall, Christmas shopping. If found, please point in the direction of Hillsborough.
It may seem ludicrous for a club with one of the best home records in the Championship, but attendances for Owls home games have fallen away in recent weeks, reaching an eight-year low on Tuesday night when just 14,792 turned up to watch the
1-0 viADVERTISEMENTctory over QPR.

Gates around the country are generally in decline, with the blame mainly falling on the credit crunch, but at Hillsborough it is something deeper. Against Rangers, 3,300 Owls season ticket holders stayed away, despite having already paid for their seats, following the 3,000 regulars who missed the Coventry City game last month.

Critics of the club have previously moaned about ticket price hikes last summer, the regime under previous chairman Dave Allen, legal action against their own fans, but the current apathy has left Hillsborough officials scratching their heads.

Chief executive Kaven Walker is keen to build bridges with disenchanted Owls supporters and has even invited members of the internet forum Owlstalk – which has previously clashed with the club and been embroiled in legal action – to a face-to-face meeting to discuss ways the club can move forward.

Walker – who also plans a question and answer session with fans on the club's official website after next Wednesday's agm – said: "It is certainly of concern to the club that we had an attendance of less than 15,000 against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night and we are keen to find ways to bring higher gates back to Hillsborough.

"We understand that people have issues with price sensitivity but it is also true that a drop in average attendances has been mirrored at clubs across the Championship with the odd exception of the likes of Wolves, who are top of the League.

"What is particularly disappointing is that 3,300 season ticket holders did not turn up for the QPR game and around 3,000 failed to take their seats for the Coventry City match in November.

"Clearly this is not an issue about price as those supporters have already paid their admission for the season.

"We are in a better league position than at this time last season and we have the same board, we are in the same financial position, so it is difficult to see why season ticket holders are choosing not to come to games."

The Owls have launched a range of cheap ticket offers for upcoming Hillsborough games to boost numbers, and with seven wins from 11 home games – and only six goals conceded means Wednesday have the best home defence in the Championship – Brian Laws's team are definitely providing the goods on the field.

With Bristol City the visitors to Hillsborough on Saturday, Owls officials will hope the growing optimism on the field can lure back the missing fans.

[londonranger]

Then it must be us. Knew we were so hungry for a win that A 6- 0 loss woild be too much to take. .