Where have all the fans gone? Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is today asking that question after a crowd of only 2,846 - the second lowest attendance for an English League or cup match last Saturday - turned up to watch the 2-2 draw with Tranmere.
"Our performance deserved much better than that," said Whitton.
"So what's causing it?
Space to stand - U's chief executive Marie Partner all alone at Layer Road
"Is it too much Premiership football on television, or is it something else?"
Only six teams - Boston (3,036), Torquay (2,964), Rochdale (2,933), Kidderminster (2,773), Macclesfield (2,059) and Wimbledon (2,671) - are currently averaging lower gates than the U's (3,180).
Whitton pointed out: "All I know is true supporters follow their team through thick and thin whatever league they're playing in.
"Take us at Colchester for instance. You can say all you like about what comes first the chicken or the egg, crowds or success, but we are your local team and we are the team you should be supporting.
"Never mind asking where all the fans who have supported us at Wembley three times are. Where were some of them from the home game before?
"I've heard talk that many fans would rather see us back in the Third Division winning more games, but what's the point of that?
"We want to play as high up the League as possible.
"They're also quick to offer parking excuses, but that's too easy a get-out.
"There's no parking, for example, anywhere near Brentford, QPR, or even Arsenal, but the Gunners still get 40,000 crowds every week."
Published Thursday, January 9, 2003
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