Average attendances at Leeds Rhinos increased by almost 5,000 between 1996 and 1999, a period when Leeds United were enjoying Champions League football, reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and breaking the British transfer record.



Where did those extra 5,000 fans come from? Shouldn't they have been saving up for expensive European away trips and Leeds United season tickets?

Hetherington has gone on record on numerous occassions about how Leeds Rhinos have more fans from outside it's catchment area than any other club.



The team at Headingley, coincidentally from 2003, actually targetted fans from other areas to increase the gates. Cumbria and Northumerland give a high number of visitors to Headingley. I doubt that many of them will be Leeds United fans.



By contrast, Leeds United have previously gone on record has saying that over 20% of their supporter base is from Outside of Yorkshire and in the south of the country and Ireland.

22-Feb-04 ….. London ….. 15,119

19-Mar-04 ….. Wigan ….. 18,124

08-Apr-04 ….. Bradford ….. 21,225

16-Apr-04 ….. Huddersfield ….. 11,701

07-May-04 ….. Warrington ….. 16,065

=#FF0000Leeds United Relegated

28-May-04 ….. Salford ….. 14,239

11-Jun-04 ….. Widnes ….. 13,419

25-Jun-04 ….. Hull ….. 15,153

09-Jul-04 ….. Castleford ….. 13,922

23-Jul-04 ….. St Helens ….. 16,635

01-Aug-04 ….. Wakefield ….. 15,629

22-Aug-04 ….. Bradford ….. 21,225

27-Aug-04 ….. Castleford ….. 14,605

17-Sep-04 ….. London ….. 17,329



Leeds were enjoying a pretty good upsurge in support even before Leeds' relegation probably by way of the factors mentioned previously.

Absolutely cock on there. I was going to rip the pi55 out of the whole city of Leeds until I factored in the context of the current economic climate.

Every club has its core supporters and most will be envious of the solid season ticket sales at Headingley despite a poor last season by recent standards.



With the belt tightening that most people are having to contemplate you would expect ticket sales to be under pressure. Add to that the fact that the team last year were well below their best for entertainment and you lose some support.



If the new coaches can get the team returning to a fast, offloading, wider attacking game then the floating supporters will be there at the turnstyles. As has been previously stated those that did not want to commit to the cost of the season ticket will be there for the big games.



When playing well Leeds have always attracted the independent rugby league supporter who has no real ties to any club but values open rugby in a great stadium with atmosphere. Put the product on the field and the support will be there even in difficult economic times. (please note GH)

Ich sehe Trolle Deutsch sprechen und verstehen??





Aber, Sie müssen zustimmen der Rest ist richtig, nicht wahr...?

vielleicht Adey.....vielleicht

Didn't GH make a comment the other season about negative rugby? A lot of folk thought he was having a pop at certain other clubs, but I always thought that he was actually giving Bluey the Scarborough warning about our own on field style and disciplinary problems.



Might that have been a factor in Bluey's early departure?



I think we all would love to see that type of rugby league, and this season should prove very interesting!

Maybe I should have read the whole article (I'd read it last week and assumed this thread was about a new article) so went looking for a different article

About time.

Leeds United (can't guarantee accuracy as taken of t'web)...



2003-2004 36666 (Pr)

2004-2005 28632 (Ch)

2005-2006 22354 (Ch) *Bates first season prices hike massively*

2006-2007 21613 (Ch)

2007-2008 26546 (L1)

2008-2009 23813 (L1)

2009-2010 23115 (L1)

2010-2011 26668 (Ch)



...hard to see any real correlation between the two, especially when you take into account season overlaps



On the other hand there is a clear correlation between our attendances and success (and other factors):



1996 ..... 8,581 (Finished 3rd Bottom)

1997 ..... 10,998 (Became the Rhinos, sign Iestyn)

1998 ..... 12,164 (Grand Finalist)

1999 ..... 13,482 (First CC win in 20-odd years)

2000 ..... 12,674

2001 ..... 12,881

2002 ..... 12,157

2003 ..... 12,846

2004 ..... 16,028 (First championship in 32 years)

2005 ..... 17,012

2006 ..... 15,677

2007 ..... 17,558 (Champions)

2008 ..... 17,043 (Champions)

2009 ..... 15,774 (Champions) *South stand capacity cut by 2k*

2010 ..... 15,355 *South stand capacity cut by 2k*