Thread by @RossFootball

1 Looks like my all-singing, all-talking, all-dancing seasonal attendances thread is kicking off six weeks early this year, owing to decisions made by the FA in England & (thus far) the Highland League in Scotland - though that may change over the weekend. First, an explainer.

2 I'm not going to argue on this thread about the rights & wrongs of decisions made. I've done that elsewhere (preferably complete the season or if not possible void it and apply across the board) but the effects.

3 There is no statistically historic accurate way to deal with voided seasons. No 'right' way, no 'wrong' way. It's a matter of individual interpretation. The only previous occasions when this happened in the UK were in England in 1915 at the end of the season so no problems

4 arose. And in both England & Scotland in 1939-40 when no club had played more than five matches (Scottish First Division) and most just three (Football League). This time the season is over 2/3 complete. So far we've had decisions in two areas.

5 The Highland League has declared the season over with existing standings now final tables. IMO this therefore makes the Highland League 2019-20 an official season, albeit with a curtailed number of matches & an asterisk or footnote should be applied to show this

6 Steps 3-7 of the English non-league pyramid (tiers 7-11) have had the season voided and all matches expunged from the record books. This has happened before when individual clubs have been unable to fulfil fixtures & folded before end of season but not - AFAIK - to entire

7 leagues. Given the number of games played I intend to include crowd figures in my records but italicised (which is what I do with seasons where details are incomplete/unavailable) & a footnote explaining the FA decision. This is not official, it's a personal interpretation

8 I'm not claiming it's the right way, merely that it's my way and I wouldn't argue with anyone who includes all or none of the games played included in their own records. As said earlier there are no hard and fast rules. What I'm trying to do is to include games played as part

9 of the record. I believe this respects that fact the season got 2/3 (or more) of way to completion before voiding. It doesn't claim they're official but nor does it pretend matches were never played at all and it does make clear the distinction between 2019-20 & other seasons.

10 I'm also going to make reference to Belgium where the situation isn't as clear cut as you may have read. It was reported the Belgians had done the same as the Highland League and declared the season over based on current standings. This wasn't (and isn't the case)

11 What happened was that the management committee made a recommendation to this effect applicable to the pro game in Belgium (the top two divisions) & clubs were meant to meet next week to vote on it

12 Following UEFA's threat that they may not accept clubs from prematurely completed leagues to compete in UEFA competitions 2020-21 that meeting has been postponed until two weeks from today.

13 Also later today comes the end of the ballot on whether to declare the Scottish season complete in respect of the three lower divisions. Whether we get the result or not I don't know. But if the (IMO scandalous) proposal is passed I'll include those figures later in the thread

14 Prior to that I intend to look at the top two Belgian divisions, Highland League & English non-league steps 3-7. First though a word on sources. Wherever possible my figures are taken from official league & club records but these are not always available. In such circumstances

15 I compile my records from reputable outlets. These include (globally) @weltfussball & (English) @NL_Matters Sites here:
worldfootball.net
nonleaguematters.co.uk
In Scotland from the estimable work done by @OnHandHandyman

16 I have details up to the date of suspension of the leagues concerned and will continue this thread posting details of averages, highs & lows & comparisons with previous seasons later today.

17 I'll start with Belgium which may or may not have finished the season. Current top flight average is 11280 - an increase of 10% on last season. This is impressive as at the top of the scale, Bruges' average 23757 is the LOWEST by the top supported club since 2005

18 For Bruges themselves it's lowest since 2003 though it's important to recognise there have been no play-offs this season and their figures may - I'll put it no more than that given the play-offs history - have risen higher

19 Of the 15 clubs in the same division last season eight have shown increases and seven are down. Much of the Belgian rise is down to the return of Mechelen to the top flight replacing the poorly supported Lokeren

20 Indeed Mechelen's average of 14835 is a new club record high - or at least since 1960-61 which is when my Belgian records go back to

21 Lowest supported were AS Eupen - for third year in succession. But even their 3221 average is a 25% rise on last season and it can't be accounted for by any onfield improvement. It's simply that last season's figure was a record low for them

22. Mechelen's promotion also had a drastic effect on the second tier which lost 30% compared to last season and had an average of just 2985. It's difficult to make comparisons as the current format of just eight clubs has only been in existence for three seasons

23 moving into England's seventh tier (Step 3 in the #NonLeague set-up)the Isthmian Premier average is 344 (-11%), Northern Premier 559 (+18%), Southern Premier South 307 (-15%), Southern Premier Central 357 (-7.5%)

24 High & low averages
Isthmian Prem - Worthing 892, Wingate & Finchley 123
Northern Prem - South Shields 1669, Grantham Town 287
Will I resist the temptation to mention that the two places most associated with Margaret Thatcher have the two lowest supports here? No I won't.

25 Southern Prem South
Taunton Town 602, Blackfield & Langley 103
Southern Prem Central
Bromsgrove Sporting 980, St Ives Town 182

26 Highest individual crowds
Isthmian Prem Worthing 1684
Northern Prem South Shields 3274
Southern Prem South Taunton Town 1068
Southern Prem Central Bromsgrove Sporting 1764

27 Lowest individual crowds
Isthmian Prem Wingate & Finchley 78
Northern Prem Ashton United 144
Southern Prem Blackfield & Langley 60
Southern Prem Central Biggleswade Town 75

28 Seventh tier overall average 391. Much in keeping with 401 last season and 387 in 2017-18. South Shields were also highest supported club at this level last season but have increased 11% this term. I'll move on to the eighth tier later on.

29 Eight tier. Isthmian North, South East, South Central in order: averages 201, 239, 135. First is almost identical to last season (197) other two both up by around 10%

30 High & low club averages in those three divisions
Bury Town 375, Witham Town 102
Guernsey 810, Phoenix Sports 85
Chertsey Town 308, Fc Romania 54

31 High & low individual matches
Histon 530, Brentwood Town 48
Hastings United 1189, Phoenix Sports 50
Hertford Town 608, Westfield 15

32 Northern Premier South East & North West averages 237 & 290. Almost identical to Northern Premier East last season (233) and 20% up on Northern Premier West. Name changes but broadly equivalent divisions

33 High & low averages
NPL SE Ilkeston Town 498, Market Drayton Town 113
NPL NW Workington AFC 485, Pickering Town 140
High & low matches respectively
Belper Town 753, Market Drayton Town 54
Workington AFC 673, Widnes 83

34 Southern Div 1 Central & South averages 169 (-14%) & 182 much the same as last season's 179.
High & low averages
Halesowen Town 534, Wantage Town 75
Melksham Town 401, Moneyfields 73

35 High & low matches respectively
Halesowen Town 811, Kidlington 32
Melksham Town 702, Moneyfields 48

36 Eighth tier overall average 208. If that had applied at the end of a full season it would have been highest since 2008. BTW when more than one iidentical low figure I've chosen as representative a) club with more than one low & b) club with lowest overall total crowds

37 Ninth tier. This will take some time. Last season in brackets
Combined Counties Premier average 59 (56)
High & low averages
Ascot United 123, Balham 28
Individual match
Ascot United 496, Balham 6

38 Eastern Counties Premier average 128 (131)
High & low averages
Stowmarket Town 305, Godmanchester Rovers 63
Individual match
Newmarket Town 470, Brantham Athletic 41

39 Essex Senior average 74 (68)
High & low averages
Saffron Walden Town 200, Clapton 32
Individual match
Hoddesdon Town 395, Southend Manor 12

40 Hellenic Premier average 80 (77)
High & low averages
Binfield 131, Virginia Water 43
Individual match
Binfield 271, Virginia Water 29

41 Midland Premier average 126 (152)
High & low averages
Coventry United 351, South Normanton Athletic 61
Individual match
Coventry United 450, South Normanton Athletic 28

42 North West Counties Premier average 150 (172)
High & low averages
1874 Northwich 280, Squires Gate 67
Individual match
Winsford United 627, Squires Gate 31

43 Northern Counties East Premier average 130 (137)
High & low averages
Penistone Church 249, Albion Sports 62
Individual match
Penistone Church 374, Albion Sports 31

44 Northern League Division One average 243 (216)
High & low averages
Stockton Town 493, Ryhope CW 93
Individual match
Stockton Town 940, Seaham Red Star 57

45 Southern Combination Premier average 102 (93)
High & low averages
Eastbourne Town 216, Lingfield 49
Individual match
Peacehaven & Telscombe 407, Lingfield 25

46 Southern Counties East Premier average 133 (110)
High & low averages
Chatham Town 415, Punjab United 50
Individual match
Chatham Town 927, Punjab United 27

47 Spartan South Midlands Premier average 79 (73)
High & low averages
Leighton Town 158, London Colney 40
Individual match
Biggleswade United 268, London Colney 25

48 United Counties Premier average 104 (85)
High & low averages
Rugby Town 202, Peterborough Northern Star 46
Individual match
Rugby United 358, Pinchbeck United 23

49 Wessex Premier average 85 (88)
High & low averages
Bashley 166, Shaftesbury 49
Individual match
Bashley 339, Baffins Milton Rovers 24

50 Western Premier average 109 (98)
High & low averages
Plymouth Parkway 237, Cadbury Heath 50
Individual match
Plymouth Parkway 564 , Bridgwater Town 16
Back with tenth tier when time allows

51 Forgot. Ninth tier overall average 115 which if it held to the end of a completed season would be highest at this level since 2012

52 When I come back with the tenth I should point out that West Midland Regional never issue crowd figures (at least not AFAIK) & South West Peninsula Premier absorbed some clubs from lower tier to form East & West Divisions. All others as per 2018-19. Nineteen leagues here

53 tenth tier Combined Counties 1
Average 81(47)
High & low average
Jersey Bulls 697, Eversley & California 22
High & low individual match
Jersey Bulls 927, Kensington & Ealing Borough 9

54 East Midlands Counties average 82 (80)
High & low average
Hucknall Town 172, Clifton All Whites 34
High & low individual match
Eastwood Community 357, Clifton All Whites 10

55 Eastern Counties 1 North average 73 (79)
High & low average
March Town 111, Cornard United 29
High & low individual match
Wisbech St Mary 206, Cornard Unitd 11

56 Eastern Counties 1 South average 60 (81)
High & low average
Harwich & Parkeston 157, Fire United Christian 8
High & low individual match
Harwich & Parkeston 620, Lopes Tavares London 5

57 Hellenic 1 East average 52 (56)
High & low average
Risborough Rangers 195, Kidlington Development 16
High & low individual match
Wokingham & Emmbrook 183, Kidlington Development 14

58 Hellenic 1 West average 81 (50)
High & low average
Malvern Town 223, New College Swindon 19
High & low individual match
Malvern Town 380, New College Swindon 10

59 Midland 1 average 76 (86)
High & low average
Atherstone Town 215, Coventry Copsewood 40
High & low individual match
Nuneaton Griff 310, GNP Sports 17

60 NW Counties 1 North average 99 (88)
High & low average
Golcar United 210, Nelson 57
High & low individual match
Golcar United 556, Ashton Town 32

61 NW Counties 1 South average 103 (79)
High & low average
West Didsbury & Chorlton 296, St Martins 50
High & low individual match
Wythenshawe Town 589, St Martins 32

62 Northern Counties East 1 average 126 (109)
High & low average
North Ferriby 357, Hall Road Rangers 58
High & low individual match
North Ferriby 619, East Hull 27

63 Northern League 2 average 94 (101)
High & low average
Heaton Stannington 181, Bedlington Terriers 55
High & low individual match
Crook Town 454, Esh Winning 30

64 SW Peninsula Premier East average 75
High & low average
Ilfracombe Town 129, Plymouth Marjon 37
High & low individual match
Millbrook 287, Torrington 23

65 SW Peninsula Premier West average 103
High & low average
Falmouth Town 219, Dobwalls 61
High & low individual match
Falmouth Town 410, Wendron United 24
As mentioned there was only one SWPL Premier last season - average 105

66 Southern Combination 1 average 62 (53)
High & low average
Bexhill United 128, Billingshurst 33
High & low individual match
Shoreham 278, Billingshurst 8

67 Southern Counties East 1 average 56 (50)
High & low average
Rusthall 111, meridian VP 29
High & low individual match
Kennington 227, FC Elmstead 9

68 Spartan South Midlands 1 average 46 (44)
High & low average
Stotfold 143, London Tigers 8
High & low individual match
Stotfold 644, London Tigers 2

69 United Counties 1 average 57 (65)
High & low average
Melton Town 108, Saffron Dynamo 31
High & low individual match
Whittlesey Athletic 340, Lutterworth Athletic 15

70 Wessex 1 average 74 (66)
High & low average
Alton 126, Folland Sports 31
High & low individual match
Newport (IOW) 304, Folland Sports 21

71 Western 1 average 72 (78)
High & low average
Warminster Town 146, Almondsbury 37
High & low individual match
Warminster Town 369, Lebeq United 12

72 For the majority of leagues figures are either full or as close as dammit but there are some less so. I have total games recorded for each league should anyone want them. I should also have added the FA's Full-time site as a source

73 Alas in some instances that site jumped the gun an voided fixtures in some leagues before the FA Council ratified the decision. Instead of keeping details an recording games as void they removed all data in some cases

74 I'll move on to the eleventh tier as and when time permits

75. Unlike previous tiers where only West Mids Regional is missing I don't have comprehensive details for the eleventh tier so will give what I've got with previous season's league average in brackets where I have this information

76 Central Midlands North average 59
High & low average
Retford United 118, AFC Bentley 24
High & low individual match
Retford United 231, AFC Bentley 9

77 Central Midlands South average 47
High & low average
Linby Colliery Welfare 83, Teversal Reserves 19
High & low individual match
Mansfield Hosiery Mills 200, Teversal Resrves 10

78 Devon League North-East average 41
High & low average
Exmouth Town Reserves 65, University of Exeter 11
High & low individual match
Exmouth Town Reserves 97, Liverton United 1 (one!)

79 Devon League South-West average 32
High & low average
Kingsteignton Athletic 58, Paignton Villa 16
High & low individual match
Plympton Athletic 111, Plympton Athletic 3

80 Gloucs County average 54 (49)
High & low average
AEK Boco 110, Rockleaze Rangers 32
High & low individual match
AEK Boco 314, Hardwicke 11

81 Hellenic 2 North average 44
High & low average
Southam United 66, Long Crendon Reserves 20
High & low individual match
Southam United 100, Chinnor 1 (one)

82 Hellenic 2 South average 26
High & low average
Penn & Tylers Green Development 36, Virginia Water Development 10
High & low individual match
Same two clubs 57 & 10

83 Hellenic 2 West average 35
High & low average
Shrivenham Development 91, Letcombe 22
High & low individual match
Shrivenham Development 152, Wantage 12

84 The Hellenic League operated just two divisions at this level in 2018-19, East & West with averages of 33 & 40 respectively

85 Lincs League average 51 (66)
High & low average
Lincoln United Development 91, Louth 28
High & low individual match
Hykeham 140, Grimsby Borough Reserves 15

86 Midland 2 average 42 (44)
High & low average
Redditch Borough 98, Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons 22
High & low individual match
Same two clubs 126 & 10

87 Southern Combination 2 average 36 (38)
High & low average
Bosham 66, Brighton Electricity 18
High & low individual match
Ferring 100, Worthing Town 5

88 Spartan South Midlands 2 average 36 (35)
High & low average
Codicote 52, The 61 FC (Luton) 16
High & low individual match
Aston Clinton 103, The 61 FC (Luton) 4

89 Wilts Senior average 45 (43)
High & low average
Malmesbury Victoria Development 73, Stratton Juniors 15
High & low individual match
Melksham Town Reserves 152, Stratton Juniors 10

90 One of the 'benefits' of lockdown is that I've been able to get some information about a few twelfth tier (step eight) leagues as follows:

91 Central Midlands 1 North average 43
High & low average
St Joseph's Rockware of Worksop 73, Nottingham Education 14
High & low individual match
Nottingham 100, Nottingham Education 5

92 Central Midlands 1 South average 30
High & low average
Heanor Town Reserves 43, Bakewell Town 18
High & low individual match
Heanor Town Reserves 59, Borrowash Victoria Development 10

93 Cornwall Combination average 32 (40)
High & low average
Porthleven Reserves 59, RNAS Culdrose 17
High & low individual match
Ruan Minor 120, RNAS Culdrose 6

94 Midland 3 average 33 (28)
High & low average
Sutton United 54, WLV Sport 16
High & low individual match
Sutton United 92, FC Shush (9)

95 Scottish non-league figures have been meticulously logged by @OnHandHandyman who has details on his Twitter feed. I think they are for all competitions.

96 I only tally up league fixtures and to date I think the Highland League is the only body in the existing pyramid structure (though this will change next season with the new WoSFL) to declare the season over

97 Not as much detail as most English non-league but of figures announced I make the Highland League average to be 249 with Inverurie Loco Works highest on 380 and Strathpsey Thistle lowest on 103

98 Highest individual was 700 for Clachnacuddin v Fort William and lowest 80 at Strathspey Thistle v Huntly

99 I'd thought this thread might make it to three figures but it looks as if I was

100 right

101 Actually would have been 100 without resorting to artificial means as I have omitted to include comparisons with last season after the ninth tier

102 Tenth tier average is 79, highest since 2005-06 when FC United of Manchester were playing at this level and drawing over 3K per match

102 Eleventh tier average is 43, down slightly on past two seasons (49 in both) but ahead of most years

104 Figures on this thread are calculated from a grand total of 13,505 matches played in 2019-20

105 The one league that did manage to complete its season before the almost global shutdown was @IndSuperLeague The play-off final in which ATK beat Chennayin 3-1 was played behind closed doors on March 14th

106 Including play-offs the ISL average was 13110 - a modest 0.4% rise on last season and around half the numbers of the first two ISL seasons in 2014 & 2015. ATK were highest with 25102, Mumbai City lowest (third year running) on 5315

107 Worth noting that like the USA & Australia for example the ISL operates on a franchise system. Hence this season Delhi Dynamos were moved over 1,000 miles & rebranded as Odisha FC

107 The @ILeagueOfficial was curtailed with clubs havung between three to five games to play but Mohun Bagan's lead at the top was unassailable. The AIFF @IndianFootball are being recommended to declare the season over & recognise Mohun Bagan as champions

109 Mohun Bagan's 131-year existence will come to an end shortly as they will merge with ATK to create ATK Mohun Bagan as an ISL club. Although the junior partner in the merged club (ATK's owners hold 80% of shares) the intention is to keep Mohun Bagan's history intact

110 Perhaps of interest to the #spfl is the proposal to declare Mohun Bagan champions is based on the fact they are mathematically unassailable at the top. Although Indian Arrows are rooted to the bottom with little hope of survival the same does not apply. Theoretically they

111 still escape relegation. Therefore the league is recommending to the federation that there should be no relegation this season. What happens below that is unknown as the I-League Second Division is regionalised and the make-up of the play-offs was uncertain at shutdown.

112 If, as seems likely, the AIFF (All-India Football Federation) accepts the proposals the I-League average of 9620 represents close to a 6% drop on last season. Mohun Bagan will end their final independent season highest with an average of 19135 & Indian Arrows lowest on 1231

113 It means Indian football's oldest rivalry - the Kolkata derby's ended with Mohun Bagan's 2-1 win over East Bengal on January 19th 2020, watched by a crowd of 63,756. Kolkata BTW is in West Bengal. Reason for the name is the club was established by East Bengal 'immigrants'

114 The Second Division is a mix of first elevens & ISL reserves. If deemed finished the average will be 234 with Mohameddan highest average with 700 & Chennayin reserves lowest - for third consecutive season - on 54.

115 The National League has declared their season over though without a decision on promotion or relegation. Worth noting that with steps below being voided there will be no relegation from the National North or South.

116 But it poses a problem for next season as the league intended to increase membership from 68 clubs to 72 by adding two to both North and South.

117 If they stick to this they will most likely need to admit five clubs – which is a problem when you have four feeder leagues. Why five? Because even if there are no play-offs with the EFL at least one club will still be promoted as the EFL need a replacement for Bury.

118 That leaves the National with an odd number of clubs- 67. Even if they put the expansion plans on hold one division will have an odd number of clubs next season.

119 Now to the attendances. There is a new record average of 2216 per game, an increase of 12% and overtaking the previous best of 2047 set ten years ago. Should this truncated season’s figure be counted as a new record. I think so & here’s why.

120 Firstly, the league itself has stated this is an official season now concluded, not voided. Second the number of games played – 429 – is greater than the first two national fifth tier seasons 1979-81 & also that of 1988-89 and no one thinks those seasons don’t count.

121 Also no fewer than eight clubs – one-third of the total – are currently posting record attendances at this level. Of those eight it was the first season for only Notts County. Comparisons with previous seasons for the other seven can be made.

122 Finally, with close finishes looming for the title, automatic promotion, play-off places and three of the four relegation spots there is no reason to think that average would have fallen if the remaining games had been played. If anything it would have increased.

123 There are no hard and fast rules and for football historians and/or stattos the choice is personal. Mine is to count the attendance figures in what is now an official season as on the record too – and without asterisking.

124 Perversely while a new record was created the fewer games played meant the aggregate fell below a million – 950841 – for the first time in eleven seasons and was the lowest total since 2005-06.

125 Highest was Notts County with 5210. That’s the eleventh successive season at least one club has posted a 5K+ average. Lowest was Boreham Wood for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Yet their figure of 753 was also a club record high.

126 Those two aside, the other clubs to post record crowd numbers AT THIS LEVEL were Barrow (2010), Bromley (2002), Chorley (1292), Hartlepool United (3488), Solihull Moors (1421) & Stockport County (4341). All figures from official website. thenationalleague.org.uk

127 The overall average for the two lower divisions was 967, a drop of just over 10% from last season’s amazing four-figure average of 1076 but still the second highest ever in this tier.

128 In the North’s figure this season was – coincidentally – 1076. Down a whopping 16% & attributable largely to Stockport County’s promotion. But it was the fourth season in a row in which the average topped 1K

129 In the South @DulwichHamletFC drew most fans, an average of 2200 while Hungerford Town’s 328 was the lowest of any club in the two divisions.

130 Individual matches in the three divisions with the highest gates were 9090 at Notts County in the top league and 4019 at King’s Lynn in the North (King’s Lynn? North!!!) and 3132 at @DulwichHamletFC in the South.

131 Lowest in the top division was 495 at Chorley. In the North it was 160 at Curzon Ashton and in the South 185 at Hungerford Town.

132 Of the 44 clubs North and South, twelve failed to record a four-figure gate at any time during the season – five North, seven South. Both York City and Dulwich Hamlet’s figures were higher than all bar seven in the National League and more than five and one League Two outfits

133 Boreham Wood’s was lower than all but the lowest eight in the North & would have been a middling 11th in the South.

134 At the time of writing and with the EFL season still to be decided Notts County’s average is higher than all bar four in League Two and more than six League One clubs.

135 Lowest supported EFL side Macclesfield Town’s current average 1998 is lower than FIFTEEN National League clubs (eleven NL, three North, one South)

136 That ends the look at the #NationalLeague. Should really have included more hashtags, including #NonLeague Anyway, back later today I think with an analysis of what's happening in the Netherlands

137 Omitted this which should have been between 128 & 129 on the thread. York City’s average 2705 was the highest of any club North or South. Lowest in this division were Curzon Ashton with 405.

138 Netherlands in a pretty similar situation to Belgium & Scotland. Dutch FA wants to declare the season over, saying no matches will be played before September 1st at the earliest. Closed door games ruled out as they require permits and police presence.

139 That minimum date means the Dutch are first to acknowledge what should be – and will become increasingly – glaringly obvious, that there are absolutely no guarantees next season will start on time. By September 1st this season Eredivisie clubs had all played five matches.

140 A good reason to continue to try to complete this season no matter how long it takes. Better to ‘ruin’ one season than two and easier to try to finish the one already two-thirds out of the way.

141 Crowds-wise the Dutch have started to creep up again after three consecutive falls. At an average of 18037 in the Eredivisie gates are up 0.41%. Ajax had most and their 53342 is a new Dutch all-time record.

142 It may come as a surprise but until the late 1990s Ajax had only been the top supported club once and that was in 1981-82, long past their glory days. Feyenoord ruled the roost for over twenty years then PSV for almost a decade.

143 Since 1995-96 it’s been Ajax almost all the way. Four years running followed by Feyenoord for two but this is now the eighteenth consecutive season Ajax have been the best supported club.

144 Feyenoord’s 1967-68 average 48088 was the record for almost thirty years until Ajax overtook it in 1996-97. They set a new record the next season and since 2003-04 they have set a new high seven more times.

145 RKC Waalwijk were lowest with 5689. They’ve shared this ‘distinction’ with Excelsior (who they beat in a promotion play-off in 2019 to change places) for the past eleven seasons.

146 On the face of it a drop of almost 11% in second tier crowds looks bad but the 4232 average is actually the second highest at this level since 1971. The reason for the drop (and for the previous season’s high) is Twente Enschede.

147 Traditionally the best supported side outwith the ‘big three’ Twente’s solitary second tier season pushed the average up to 4741, the most since 1968.

148 This season’s best supported second tier side were NAC Breda (as they had been in the three years prior to Twente). Their average of 17024 is only 1400 behind the best they’ve ever achieved in the top flight.

149 In recent seasons the lowest attendances have been recorded by youth or reserve sides and this term was no different with Jong Utrecht drawing fewest fans for the second successive season. They averaged just 456.

150 In the past seven seasons second string sides from Twente, Ajax and PSV have also had the lowest crowds.

151 In the third tier gates rose by over 20% to an average 879. Ijsselmeervogels, with 2080, were top for the third year running. Similar to the second tier, lowest were Jong Sparta Rotterdam on 160, also the third consecutive season they ended up with the smallest gates.

152 For the past decade I’ve been able to find figures for the fourth tier – and more recently the fifth too. So far I haven’t been able to track anything down for 2019-20. Or at least not enough to give antyhing remotely approaching accurate.

153 The fourth has varied between 487-773 in the past ten years and the fifth for the few seasons I have details between 399-471. There’s nothing to suggest either sphere would be any worse than a few down on those lows at least. If I find them I’ll give them.

153 So where does that leave us as far as leagues that have declared their seasons over or voided or have given notice of intent to finish?
Top flights are:
Netherlands 18037
India 13110
Belgium 11280

154 You'll note I haven't included Scotland. That's because the official position is to give the SPFL board the authority to decide what to do but - formally at least - there's been no public declaration of intent to end the top flight as it stands

155 Second tier averages thus far
India 9620
Netherlands 4232
Scotland 3023
Belgium 2985

156 Third tiers
Scotland 1148
Netherlands 879
India 234

156 Fourth tier
Scotland 488

Fifth tier
England 2216
Scotland 216

Sixth tier
England 967
Scotland 137

157 Seventh tier
England 391
Scotland 68

Eighth tier
England 208

Ninth tier
England 115

Tenth tier
England 79

Eleventh tier
England 43

158 This has gone out of sync and should be between 153-154
So where does that leave us as far as leagues that have declared their seasons over or voided or have given notice of intent to finish?
Top flights are:
Netherlands 18037
India 13110
Belgium 11280

159 Obvious if some countries do manage to restart the season, matches will be behind closed doors. As I've never counted closed door games when compiling my stats I'm going to start working on my 2019-20 figures. Like a man who wears two watches I've a lot of time on my hands.

160 This only applies to countries that operate Aug-May seasons. Too early to say those with Feb/Mar-Nov/Dec seasons will play every game without a crowd.

161 So to Scotland, the third UEFA member to notify intent to end the season. Current #SPFL average is 15317, down for the second successive season but beware the old adage 'lies, damned lies and statistics'

162 That figure is still well up on Rangers' first season back in 2016-17. It's 11th of the sixteen seasons under the current format when Rangers have been in the top flight & 11th of twenty overall

163 The worry here is at the bottom end of the table. While the OF maintained their figures, Hearts, Hibs & Aberdeen all fell for the second successive season but are still way above what they've been for most of the past thee decades at least. Accies though...

164 Hamilton's average of 2565 is the second lowest top flight average since 1934. Only Gretna in their solitary season drew fewer. And there's no reason to think it would have improved any. They had Hibs to play and then homes v two others in the bottom six

165. Looking at earlier figures for the equivalent games earlier this season only one of their potential games drew more than their current average - and that by a mere 201. if anything a completed season would have seen Accies fall even further though not to Gretna's level

166. This was the sixth successive season Accies were lowest supported in the top flight. Celtic had the highest crowds for the tenth time in a row. Other SPFL divisions have been dealt with higher up this thread.

167. Premier League. First issue - regardless of whether completed behind closed doors or season brought to a close is whether or not figures are official. To my mind anything other than voiding means they are

168 So IMO - and it's only IMO of course, a new all-time English top flight average crowd of 39348 has been established this season. Even if all games had been completed in front of crowds this wouldn't change. Gates would need to drop by over 2300 per match for existing record

169 created in 1948-49 to stay intact. Though I realise others will point to fact fewer games than have played in top division than at any time since 1898 and disagree. But ponder this. Total crowds AS OF NOW are greater than any completed season bar one 1981-82-1996-97 inclusive

170 And ten of those sixteen seasons consisted of 462 matches and none fewer than 380. Yet they drew fewer spectators than in 288 this term.

171 I've seen speculation that when football does eventually return to 'normal' there will be an increase in attendances similar to the immediate post-war era. I think this is unlikely for three reasons

172. First, seven full seasons were lost in wartime. God forbid that happens. Missing matches for seven years is different to seven months (maybe)
2. Premier League grounds operate at in excess of 95% capacity. There's hardly any room for more fans as it stands.

173 Finally, we have no idea how this will play out in the public mind. Will people, after months of being told to keep their distance from other human beings, readily submit themselves to form part of large crowds sat in close proximity?

174 But to this season's figures. Five clubs recorded all-time highs - Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Watford, West Ham. These were mainly small increases to existing records. The main reason for the new record is the return of Aston Villa to the top flight. While Norwich &

175 Sheff Utd brought modest increases on relegated clubs, Villa drew 10K more per match than the best supported of those going down - Cardiff - and 18K more than Huddersfield.

176 Remember too the past two seasons produced the second and third highest ever. I've no doubt 2019-20 has every right to say it's the highest in history but doubt it will go any higher. In fact people's fears could mean a substantial drop when (if?) things return to normal

177 Paradoxically the best and worst supported sides were on a downturn. Man Utd's 73393 is the lowest since Old Trafford reached its current capacity, hence their lowest for fourteen seasons. Bournemouth's was their lowest since reaching the top flight in 2015

178 Thus at a time of record attendances Bournemouth recorded the lowest top division average - 10510 - for a quarter of a century! Wimbledon averaged 10230 in 1994-95

179 Bournemouth were also the lowest attended Premier League club for the fifth time in succession - and it'll stay that way on account of their capacity for as long as they remain in the top division

180 And while Man Utd's was their lowest average for fourteen years it was still over 5K more per game than any other club in league history and they drew the highest crowds for the 27th consecutive season

181 In fact you have to go back to 1963-64 to find a club other than Man U or Liverpool being best supported side - Everton. The last time any club beyond Manchester, Liverpool or London was best supported was Newcastle back in 1948-49

182 Speaking of Newcastle it was the (partial) success of the anti-Ashley boycott that prevented Premier League crowds from being even higher. Without that the average would have been around 39500