derrycitychat.com

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2025 5:27 pm**

A few thoughts on the above:

1) Some fans like to know how many people are supporting their club. That shouldn't come as a mystery to people. And some folk won't care. If you don't want to know - fine. But others do, so please just accept that (horses for courses).

2) Derry City is the biggest and best supported club in NI. But is it, though? Because how can anyone say/kmow, if the attendances are treated like a state secret?

3) Why would the club NOT want to announce attendnaces. Everyone else does. Why the big mystery (as outlined above, the old 'tax' reason doesn't really stack up any more IMO).

4) The first thing I do when I take my seat at the Brandywell is to have a look around to get a feel for how big the crowd is. That includes taking a look at the away fans to see how many the opposition have brought. Knowing what our attendnaces are would give fans an indication of when our club is growing or not. At non-league games in England they not only announce the total crowd, but many clubs also say how many away fans there are (if they have segregated turnstyles). Which I think is a good touch for those who can do so.

5) There is a long tradition of Derry City being very closed when it comes to sharing information. Which I just don't get, and isn't healthy. You cant claim to be a community club and then operate like you've taken a mafia vow of silence on things.

Seriously - why can the club not just be open with people about really basic things like attendances? Why the apparent veil of secrecy around so much?

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2025 6:07 pm**

stevebradley wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 5:27 pm A few thoughts on the above:

1) Some fans like to know how many people are supporting their club. That shouldn't come as a mystery to people. And some folk won't care. If you don't want to know - fine. But others do, so please just accept that (horses for courses).

2) Derry City is the biggest and best supported club in NI. But is it, though? Because how can anyone say/kmow, if the attendances are treated like a state secret?

3) Why would the club NOT want to announce attendnaces. Everyone else does. Why the big mystery (as outlined above, the old 'tax' reason doesn't really stack up any more IMO).

4) The first thing I do when I take my seat at the Brandywell is to have a look around to get a feel for how big the crowd is. That includes taking a look at the away fans to see how many the opposition have brought. Knowing what our attendnaces are would give fans an indication of when our club is growing or not. At non-league games in England they not only announce the total crowd, but many clubs also say how many away fans there are (if they have segregated turnstyles). Which I think is a good touch for those who can do so.

5) There is a long tradition of Derry City being very closed when it comes to sharing information. Which I just don't get, and isn't healthy. You cant claim to be a community club and then operate like you've taken a mafia vow of silence on things.

Seriously - why can the club not just be open with people about really basic things like attendances? Why the apparent veil of secrecy around so much?

For someone who was lucky enough to be at the Brandywell during the Golden Years (including winning the trebble) the Brandywell was regularly hosting games of 7 or 8k. The odd one would be even higher and I think 10k was around the max capacity.

Hence, I'm keen to see if and when we'll reach those attendance stats again (Circa 8k). For me we're probably still 5 to 10 yrs off from those days but it's possible (as history has shown us) and all we need are success on the pitch and the correct facilities off it.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 7:47 am**

marcoloco wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 4:40 pm
PauliAlonso wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 2:21 pm
IfYouTolerateThis wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 1:55 pm It makes me wonder what kind of case is being put forward for funding if attendance figures aren't publicised.
Yes, because our funding applications won't contain attendance figures. Stormont and other funding bodies will be expected to trawl DCChat.com and social media for fans' estimates on attendances.

When I'm sitting in my seat, the last thing on my mind is the official attendance. If they announce it, fine. If they don't, I couldn't care less. I really don't understand why some fans feel the need to be informed of this. You're asking for info that you can't verify anyway. If 2800 is announced but it was actually 3000, would you notice? No. So it's a pointless, meaningless exercise, yet is being used by some as another stick to beat the club with. Focus your efforts on issues at the club that matter. Speak out about getting the MF finished. Or demand better performances from our Belfast mafia. But if announcing attendances is all we can worry about, then the club is doing alright.
You could argue the same about jersey's. Lots of supporters take an interest in current and past jerserys, as I do and im sure others do too, despite them all being red and white stripes. Or you could say the same about the pitch - its a football pitch. Who cares if it's plastic or grass? Its meeds the dimensions so it makes no odds as both teams have to play on it...

I think both are very different to the attendance issue. Jerseys are tangible - you can feel them, hold them and wear them. What type of pitch we have does have a direct effect on our experience as fans, as it can have an effect on performances, which determines whether we have a good night at the Brandy or not. So I would see no problem in fans taking a passionate interest in those two things. I just can't get my head around why announcing attendance figures is turning into an issue.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 9:47 am**

I think the reason, for me anyway, is because of the new capacity and the increase in attendances across the league as a whole in recent years. We have been derided by years by other sports whose own attendances are now starting to decrease. I think the attendances are something to be proud of.

When everything is going so well on that front, it's good to hear the figures and to try and do whatever you can to try and improve on them.

Not announcing figures, either during or after, is very much the exception rather than the norm for anyone who has ever been to a match anywhere. I could be wrong but it might even be a licencing requirement.

There is a thread on foot.ie devoted to attendances which a lot of people like, particularly now that it shows the continuing rise in attendances throughout the league.

With everything, each to their own.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 10:25 am**

PauliAlonso wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 7:47 am
marcoloco wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 4:40 pm
PauliAlonso wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 2:21 pm

Yes, because our funding applications won't contain attendance figures. Stormont and other funding bodies will be expected to trawl DCChat.com and social media for fans' estimates on attendances.

When I'm sitting in my seat, the last thing on my mind is the official attendance. If they announce it, fine. If they don't, I couldn't care less. I really don't understand why some fans feel the need to be informed of this. You're asking for info that you can't verify anyway. If 2800 is announced but it was actually 3000, would you notice? No. So it's a pointless, meaningless exercise, yet is being used by some as another stick to beat the club with. Focus your efforts on issues at the club that matter. Speak out about getting the MF finished. Or demand better performances from our Belfast mafia. But if announcing attendances is all we can worry about, then the club is doing alright.
You could argue the same about jersey's. Lots of supporters take an interest in current and past jerserys, as I do and im sure others do too, despite them all being red and white stripes. Or you could say the same about the pitch - its a football pitch. Who cares if it's plastic or grass? Its meeds the dimensions so it makes no odds as both teams have to play on it...
I think both are very different to the attendance issue. Jerseys are tangible - you can feel them, hold them and wear them. What type of pitch we have does have a direct effect on our experience as fans, as it can have an effect on performances, which determines whether we have a good night at the Brandy or not. So I would see no problem in fans taking a passionate interest in those two things. I just can't get my head around why announcing attendance figures is turning into an issue.

Firstly, I don't think its turning into an issue? It's just another thing that supporters debate. My earlier point is that all things are tangible and supporters will talk, reserch and debate all things related to their team depending on their own specific interests. I personally take an interest in all of them.

But you say attendance is not tangible? Surely you enjoy attending games when there's 4k (or more) in attendance rather than during the Declan Devine era when there was under 1k turning up? I'm sure the players feel the energy too when the crowd is larger.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 10:42 am**

marcoloco wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 10:25 am But you say attendance is not tangible? Surely you enjoy attending games when there's 4k (or more) in attendance rather than during the Declan Devine era when there was under 1k turning up? I'm sure the players feel the energy too when the crowd is larger.

Again though, that's a different topic. I'm not arguing that higher attendances are bad for a club. I'm not mad.

The point here is why do supporters feel the need to be informed of the exact attendance, and go out of their way to criticise the club ("sloppy, amateurish") for not doing it. If we played in a 60,000 seater stadium, I could understand the frustration a bit more, as an educated estimate would vary wildly. But we have three small, single-tier stands, which are often almost at capacity. It's quite easy to estimate to within a couple of hundred people I'd say, how many are in the ground on any particular night.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 12:52 pm**

I can't understand why supporters don't do as I do count the supporters whilst waiting for kick off.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 1:44 pm**

100%. I reckon most regulars could estimate the attendance within a range of about 100. Its not rocket science especially when we all know the capacity of the three stands. It's just another thing that keeps us slightly amused.

In fact, we could have a half time draw - guess the attendance... closest guess gets the winnings.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 3:38 pm**

We must be winning matches if this is the height of the discussion this week. If I didn't attend matches and the club posted that we had 2,000 or 3,000 or 4,000 at matches it wouldn't make me more likely to go.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 4:18 pm**

DeeDerry1975 wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 3:38 pm We must be winning matches if this is the height of the discussion this week. If I didn't attend matches and the club posted that we had 2,000 or 3,000 or 4,000 at matches it wouldn't make me more likely to go.

Nor me. But I would say that 50% of those attending games are floating fans. Not everyone is a die hard and will turn up every week, good and bad. But there are many who enjoy a game and enjoy an atmosphere too, and are more likely to turn up when we are doing well and there are big gates.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 7:04 pm**

PauliAlonso wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 2:21 pm
IfYouTolerateThis wrote: Thu May 08, 2025 1:55 pm It makes me wonder what kind of case is being put forward for funding if attendance figures aren't publicised.
Yes, because our funding applications won't contain attendance figures. Stormont and other funding bodies will be expected to trawl DCChat.com and social media for fans' estimates on attendances.

When I'm sitting in my seat, the last thing on my mind is the official attendance. If they announce it, fine. If they don't, I couldn't care less. I really don't understand why some fans feel the need to be informed of this. You're asking for info that you can't verify anyway. If 2800 is announced but it was actually 3000, would you notice? No. So it's a pointless, meaningless exercise, yet is being used by some as another stick to beat the club with. Focus your efforts on issues at the club that matter. Speak out about getting the MF finished. Or demand better performances from our Belfast mafia. But if announcing attendances is all we can worry about, then the club is doing alright.

So as long as you don't care, nobody else matters? Nice.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2025 9:22 pm**

Everyone should be interested in how many people are at their teams games.

I want to know too.

Posted: **Sun May 11, 2025 10:55 pm**

Just to add on this discussion. Under league rules, Derry City has to upload its attendance figures for games to the FAI Connect App after every home match. So attendances have to be declared formally.

So why niot just tell the fans the number too

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2025 9:22 am**

I'm not sure why people are so spiky on this issue.

Yes, some of us would like to know the attendances. It is an indicator as to how the club is progressing among other things.

If you don't care, that's your prerogative - this thread is for people who care.

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2025 9:41 pm**

Never seen so much waffle about attendances.. you would think a few work for HMRC.

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2025 11:21 pm**

haymaker89 wrote: Mon May 12, 2025 9:41 pm Never seen so much waffle about attendances.. you would think a few work for HMRC.

That aul' tax excuse about attendances doesnt hold any water though (as explained in a previous post).

Some people are just interested in the clubs attendances. Get over it

Posted: **Tue May 13, 2025 8:51 pm**

stevebradley wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 10:55 pm Just to add on this discussion. Under league rules, Derry City has to upload its attendance figures for games to the FAI Connect App after every home match. So attendances have to be declared formally.

So why niot just tell the fans the number too

FAI Connect stating that there was 3,800 for Shels & 4,010 for Pats

Posted: **Tue May 13, 2025 10:53 pm**

dcfc_jp_1989 wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 8:51 pm
stevebradley wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 10:55 pm Just to add on this discussion. Under league rules, Derry City has to upload its attendance figures for games to the FAI Connect App after every home match. So attendances have to be declared formally.

So why niot just tell the fans the number too
FAI Connect stating that there was 3,800 for Shels & 4,010 for Pats

At last. Over 4k is a step in the right direction - most Dublin clubs get this weekly.

Thread updated accordingly - thanks for info jp.

Posted: **Thu May 15, 2025 12:02 pm**

attack!attack!attack wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 10:53 pm
dcfc_jp_1989 wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 8:51 pm
stevebradley wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 10:55 pm Just to add on this discussion. Under league rules, Derry City has to upload its attendance figures for games to the FAI Connect App after every home match. So attendances have to be declared formally.

So why niot just tell the fans the number too
FAI Connect stating that there was 3,800 for Shels & 4,010 for Pats
At last. Over 4k is a step in the right direction - most Dublin clubs get this weekly.

Thread updated accordingly - thanks for info jp.

LOI average this season is 4,615 and Derry's average this season is 3,477 (6th highest in the league behind all the Dublin Clubs and Cork City).

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2025 11:57 am**

Over 4,000 tickets already sold for Fridays game v Shamrock Rovers. This will be big.

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