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Building up a fanbase is a challenge

Former non-league clubs often find it hard to build up fanbases when they are promoted to the Football League. Of the 11 present League clubs who were outside the Football League when automatic promotion from the non-leagues began in 1986-7 (leaving aside Wimbledon, MK Dons and Newport County, all offshoots of former league clubs), nine have recorded the nine lowest average league attendances this season.

Even Burton Albion at 4,710 represent the lowest figure in the second tier since the 1980s. Wycombe are the only club to do respectably, 72nd with 4,372. Despite being in League One, Fleetwood can manage just 3,211.

Three clubs have average attendances of under 2.000: Barnet, Accrington and Morecambe (1,443).

What strikes me about these clubs is they generally do not have highly populated hinterlands, or face competition from bigger clubs nearby, as in the case of Accrington. Barnet in the London suburbs face similar problems.

What is striking is how well league clubs relegated into the non-league system keep up their attendances. Tranmere Rovers have an average attendance of just under 5,000. In the National League North, Stockport County have achieved attendances of over 5,000. York City attracted almost 3,000 for their game against Spennymoor on Saturday.

Perhaps this says something about fan loyalty.

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