Friday night's bumper crowd for the match with Leeds United once again lifted us to the top of the Championship attendances table with an average of 25,751 this season.
Our challenge now is of course to remain the best supported club outside the Premier League (our current average also betters that of six Premier League clubs). This is a fantastic achievement and even more so when you consider that less than two years ago, the club's average was well under a third of this figure.
Our success so soon into our history playing at the Amex is testament to the efforts of so many people associated with the club, not least you our supporters and of course Gus, his staff, and our players who continue to play such a very attractive style of football.
The game with Leeds was another of those brilliant Amex nights, with the added excitement of being under the lights. What is it about watching football matches under floodlights?! It's interesting that our two biggest crowds have been for our Friday night matches. These special match nights seem to bring out the best in everyone – the players and the crowd.
I touched on it in my last programme notes, but the Amex experience is as much about what's happening off the pitch as on it. And, once again on Friday night, it was great to see and hear the crowd playing their part. You were magnificent for us – again. Thank you.
TICKETING INITIATIVES
Tuesday night games are, however, a little bit more of a challenge for us to reach a sell-out. Clearly, we want to sell out whenever possible, and maintain that place at the top of the crowd averages, but achieving capacity crowds is important for our future as well as for the present.
We must continue to build our fan base by introducing as many new people as we can to the Amex experience. You can help us by encouraging any family and friends that may be casual fans to come along and see a match live. We firmly believe that anyone experiencing a match at the
Amex for the first time will want to come back!
Very importantly, to help to build a younger fan base and boost midweek attendances, we have also launched a number of ticketing initiatives including special deals aimed at students and local football teams, particularly those who play on Saturdays and therefore can't commit to season tickets.
Of course, our season ticket holders, as our most loyal fans, will continue to get the best overall value for money, but we know we still have a lot of Albion fans, or Sussex-based football fans, who haven't yet been to the Amex. It's about time they came to a game here and to see what it's all about!
The group offer is next available for the Bristol City match on 27th November, and is open to parties of five or more. In addition to access to the match, we will also give each ticket holder a free meal deal. Subject to availability, we may also be able to assist teams wanting to attend with parking for coaches or minibuses. For younger teams, who may wish to come along, we can offer the matchday family stand price. For further details, contact the ticket office and we can help tailor a specific package for your group.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Next Saturday at Wolves we will be wearing black armbands, each embroidered with a poppy motif. In addition, a new memorial remembering seven former members of staff – six players and a groundsman – is being installed in the Memorial Garden opposite the North Stand. The stone of black granite has been generously donated by Tilleys Stonemasons, and it commemorates five men from the First World War along with two from the Second. The memorial has been funded by the Albion Collectors’ and Historians’ Society and the Supporters’ Club and provided by Tilleys Stonemasons. On behalf of the club, I would like to thank them for such a fitting tribute and generous gesture.
Enjoy tonight's game – and thanks again for your great support.