So would the 'hardcore' like it to be just them? Are the other fans taking there club from them? I personally am happy that anyone who goes to games , follows Albion in news, follows results or even stays up just to watch the.football league show is a fan.
If I can help you El P with Saints and the two Sheffield clubs ..
1. Saints . As Hastings Seagull quite properly pointed out. Please put Saints playing at say Bristol, in the lowest two divisions for 10-15 years and then see their away turnout. Would they like the Albion take north of 3000 to Chesterfield or the 800 plus that were with me at Rochdale on a midweek night in the lowest league? Maybe, maybe not, we shall never know. However, what we do know is that Albion when at the Goldstone have had higher crowds than Saints despite playing in a lower league. As such, your point is a false one.
2. Sheffield. Ask yourself how many away games Sheffield clubs had within 75 miles as against how many Albion had. Then think that Albion's closest is circa 40 miles away (and there are not many only 40/50 miles away). Then think how far Albion have to travel compared to Sheffield. Then think that both Sheffield clubs have a great support and so its no surprise they take north of 5,000 to places like Huddersfield that are the same approximate distance as a town within Sussex for Brighton. As such, your point is again a false one.
3. You also raised a while back the statistic that during the early 80's when Albion in top flight they didnt hit top flight. Again another false point. Arsenal were getting at times 18,000 as were Newcastle and Man U nowhere close to the 75000 they pull these days. As such were Arsenal wasting their time by building their new ground to accommodate 60,000? No, they were not, and its lucky for them that the person who built it had some vision and foresight.
Bottom line is El P, that Albion have historically had gates north of where they should be given the lower league football dished up and so if the club plan on fulfilling its potential then 30,000 is plainly not enough. Without also wishing to say "I told you so", I and my family are not surprised at all by the support the club is getting now its back on its feet. You might be, but then if you are then hold your hand up and say, "I got that one wrong".
When / if the Albion have top flight football and play Arsenal, Spurs, Manchesters, Liverpool and Newcastle's week in week out and the club is missing out on huge revenue by a 30000 capacity, then dont say that you were not told. I however dont think this is likely. If the club get to the top flight, they will find a way to increase capacity. Whether steeper stands or smaller seats in some stands or a bigger North stand, the club will want the punters in. The problem however might be the transport.
Fact is that The Albion is top 9 in season ticket sales in the country, despite playing only second tier football. Again bigger gates than they should be getting when playing lower league football. You might say "new ground" and I say yes, so? Neither Millwall or Reading suddenly sold 23000 season tickets when they go a new ground, but The Albion have. That is I'm afraid for your argument, just a fact.
