The 17 BusSchards#2RG30 According to yesterday's paper we got 19,570 with our average attendance this season 19,518 (source: News of the World). So this attendance crisis that's suggested really isn't too bad when you take into account we still have higher gates than the likes of Birmingham and Cardiff.
With decent crowds still to be expected against the likes of Bristol City, Sheff Utd and Birmingham I'll make the prediction our average gate for the season will surpass 20,000 which would be a remarkable achievement for a club of our size and history to achieve in the second tier of English football.
Hardly a case for expanding the stadium though. Which is what this thread is about rather than whether the gates are above or below expectation.
So the lower crowds this season are no reason to either expand or not expand, TBH it's a matter of gut feeling, who dares wins in many walks of life, RFC have grown slowly, and expanding is further growth, if we do not grow then we will not become an established top team, so for me it is better to expand and take that chance.
Firstly, given that history would suggest it is likely that the majority of our future will not be in the premiership, I would suggest that this seasons gates have some bearing on the decision.
Secondly, given that gates seem to be lower this year than in our last in the championship, that would suggest demand has fallen and there is no reason doubt that this trend would also apply if we were in the premiership.
