Cash-hit fans turning their backs on Villa, Blues, Wolves and WBA

Mar 27 2011 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury

FOOTBALL attendances in the Midlands have plunged in the last FOUR seasons with thousands of cash-strapped fans turning their backs on soccer.

Birmingham City and Aston Villa have seen crowds fall every season since 2007, with both clubs currently involved in a relegation dogfight.

Fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion have also seen gates dip this year compared to their last stint in the top flight in 2008/09.

Attendances at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium have slipped over the past 12 months. Yet despite their lowly league position they are among the best supported clubs in the Premier League, with 96 per cent of seats taken for the average game.

In contrast Blues, Villa and West Brom are in the bottom half of the stadium-filling table, with around 15 per cent of their seats remaining empty.

Supporter groups last night blamed a combination of economic conditions, pitch performances, and saturation TV coverage for the slump in matchday crowds.

Aston Villa’s average attendance has dropped from more than 40,000 in 2007, to just 36,861 this term despite season ticket prices being as low as £315 for adults. The club has struggled this year following the resignation of former boss Martin O’Neill just days before the start of the season.

New manager Gerard Houllier has failed to win over all fans after sparking a series of controversies. Earlier this month he rested most of his star players for the FA Cup defeat at Manchester City – then reportedly claimed a full-strength team would not have won anyway.

He also came under attack from Villains after earlier losing a Premiership clash at Liverpool, then stating: “If I have got to lose 3-0, I would prefer it to be to them as I like Liverpool.”

The French manager has had to tackle dressing room unrest, with apparent fallings out with star players including defender Richard Dunne and former striker John Carew – now at Stoke.

A banner calling for him to be sacked was unfurled at Villa Park during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves.

Vital Villa Fanzine editor Jonathan Fear was not surprised so many supporters were staying away from games.