...and when teams go through lean times the first parts of the machine to disintegrate are the fans. Even the most passionate season ticket-holders in the Premier league can be seen leaving the stadium early when their team is struggling' often with a diatribe to manager and players on the way out. It's easy to see their frustration and disappointment but really why should they expect 100% commitment from the management and players when they as supporters are so quick to desert the cause?
The reason is simple. All sports fans demand success and it takes a lot of loyalty to follow a losing team through thick and thin but at the end of the day that's really what loyal supporters do. Cricket is no exception in the popularity stakes and even the mighty West Indiesis feeling the brunt of spectator disinterest after almost a decade of under performance. The new stadium in Guyana is less that half full for the current test match against Sri Lanka but worse still, there is little interest in islands like Barbados where historically everyone was glued to a radio or television set when their team was in action. The tell-tale signs have been there for years, because, World Cup apart, the old Kensington Oval has attracted only paltry crowds for some time, including the last series against England.
Local cricket has its diehard supporters, many of whom religiously travel home and away to watch their favourite teams, but over the past few decades there has been an obvious decline and it's not all about winning and losing. Even the mighty Waringstown support has seen its numbers decline, and their team is still right up there at the top ofUlstercricket. The old hands tell us of bygone days when thousands of spectators watched the big Belfast derby matches amongst North of Ireland, Woodvale and Cregagh. These enclosed cricket grounds were often packed to capacity and although we also hear that there wasn't much else to do in those days, the entertainment must have been top quality to attract such numbers. In the North-West cricket was just as popular and you had to be in your place early to get a boundary spot when EDR Shearer's City of Derry team was entertaining Sion Mills, Strabane or Brigade in the Thirties.
We can't live in the past, but somehow you get the feeling that local cricket will never be a spectator sport until we start to do more to attract fans to the game. It's asking a lot for clubs to expect fans just to turn up when many grounds have barely enough seats and virtually no other facilities. Even the basic bathroom facilities are often found wanting, and as for food and associated entertainment, you generally have to take a walk down town.'
Clubs would do well to address the needs of the modern spectator in this context and do something more positive to attract them to games. The rewards are obvious, not only for gate revenue, but for bar and food sales, potential new sponsorship, donations, and atmosphere.
What player enjoys playing before two men and a dog? Clubs need to have a plan to identify potential areas of spectator support and go for it with a list of attractive reasons why people should spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon at the local cricket ground. They should also look at their facilities and consider better seating, bar and food services away from the clubhouse, a safe playground for kids, parking, and a PR system that keeps everyone abreast of what's happening on and off the field. How many clubs have a PR system in place on Saturday afternoons?
Even the big games are poorly supported. Ireland matches and cup finals should have huge drawing power but in recent times they have attracted poor crowds. Successful clubs will always attract support but one feels even these clubs are well off the pace when it comes to attracting the level of support that could be achieved with a strong campaign to put more bums on seats. That said, it needs to start with the seats in place first!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
