Bostik League attendances are still on the up!

Bostik League attendances showed another rise during December and remain 12.5% up overall on last season, figures from league statistician Mike Wilson show.

Despite a number of postponements due to poor weather last month still saw a 5% increase on the same period last year, with almost fifty two thousand people passing through the turnstiles. December also saw the highest attendance in the South Division so far, 802 visiting the Dripping Pan for the match between Lewes and Hastings United on Boxing Day.

Looking particularly at the attendance records of individual clubs, Dulwich Hamlet have the best average attendance in the Premier Division (indeed, in the League), with 1495, however Billericay Town- in second place with an average of 1195- have a great deal to be proud of, that attendance an amazing 111.5% up on last season. Brightlingsea Regent are 38% up on last season, Dorking Wanderers up 34%, and Thurrock up 33%- a clear demonstration that promotion attracts a bigger following! The success of Metropolitan Police this season has seen an 18% rise.

In the North Division Aveley now have the highest average attendance, their 279 a huge 224% higher than last season, whilst Bury Town and Canvey Island sit in second and third place. The next best average increase is seen at Coles Park, where crowds are 158% higher than last season, and Heybridge Swifts (87%), Bowers & Pitsea (57%) and Barking (41%) have also shown dramatic increases.

The South Division has Guernsey at the top of the tree, their average of 627 slightly down on the last campaign but still easily the best. Lewes are in second place, with an average of 485, whilst the 327 average at Hastings United puts them in third. The best percentage increase is that of Walton Casuals, up by 147%, Sittingbourne are next best in that particular table with an increase of 28%, and Carshalton Athletic third, the Robins attendances up by 21%.

Attendances for the Velocity Trophy also show an increase from last season, up 15% in the First Round and 9% in the second.