Adelaide United’s average attendance this season is the worst in the club’s history

Despite changing the pricing structure to ticket prices and a change of ownership last March, Adelaide United’s average attendance is dipping to the lowest in the club’s history.

Empty seats: Perth Glory’s Jason Davidson at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, Friday, March 15, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

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Adelaide United boss Marco Kurz’s side is still in the running to win a potential second A-League championship after winning the FFA Cup but the club isn’t rocking the turnstiles at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Adelaide’s average crowds for A-League matches have slumped to the Reds lowest in history since 2005.

This comes after the club’s second FFA Cup trophy success in October entertained 14,448 mostly thrilled fans on a Tuesday night at Hindmarsh.

Last Friday Adelaide hosted Perth — fifth versus first.

Empty seats: Perth Glory’s Diego Castro (second from right) celebrates a goal in a 2-0 win over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium last Friday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

The clash drew just 7853 fans. Its lowest was 7071 in a nailbiting 4-3 win over Brisbane Roar last month.

After a change of ownership last March the club rejuvenated its ticket pricing structure and despite the dollar savings which were published on the club’s website, fans are harder to attract to Hindmarsh Stadium than ever.

Reds chairman Piet van der Pol in August via the club’s website announced an advisory board “which will be an integral part of plans to professionalise the club and bring it closer to the South Australian community.”

“The opportunities to grow the game are there and Adelaide United can be the lightning rod for this growth,’’ van der Pol said at the time.

Adelaide United captain Isaias during the round 22 A-League match against top-of-the-table Perth Glory at Coopers Stadium on Friday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Before this season, Adelaide’s worst average attendance was 8829 in 2011/12 when it had a change of coach.

Rini Coolen stepped down for John Kosmina and the Reds ended second to bottom

The club is averaging 8748 compared to 9830 last season.

This season an average 1082 fans are not turning up.

This is despite Adelaide being in the top six for the entire season.

However Adelaide is not alone when it comes to a drop in average attendances.

The A-League has ‘lost’ a total average of 2899 fans despite four of the 10 clubs having an increase in attendances.

Melbourne Victory is attracting an average of 3457 more fans to its home matches.

This is probably due to the club being the reigning A-League champion and managing to sign Japanese marvel Keisuke Honda and Swedish striker Ola Toivonen as bona fide stars that featured at last year’s FIFA World Cup.

Mark Rudan’s influence on Wellington Phoenix has seen an increase of 2892 more fans wanting a piece of action.

Perth Glory in pole position to claim its maiden A-League Premier’s Plate has seen a slight 447 fans increase in WA.

Brisbane Roar having 1052 more average fans is somewhat of a shock as the club is sitting second to bottom.

The biggest drop in average crowds has hit Newcastle and Western Sydney. Those clubs have ‘lost’ an average of 3559 and 3434 fans respectively.

ADELAIDE UNITED

Average 2018/2019: 8748

Highest: 12,115 — Lowest: 7071

2017/18: 9830

Highest: 19,416 — Lowest: 7021

Difference: Minus 1082

BRISBANE ROAR

Average 2018/19: 10,145

Highest: 15,129 — Lowest: 7131

Average 2017/18: 9093

Highest: — 12,019 — Lowest: 5192

Difference: Plus 1052

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

Average 2018/19: 5862

Highest: 8923 — Lowest: 3703

Average 2017/18: 7194

Highest: — 12,044 — Lowest: 4973

Difference: Minus 1332

MELBOURNE CITY

Average 2018/19: 8805

Highest: 24,306 — Lowest: 5149

Average 2017/18: 9728

Highest: 22,515 — Lowest: 5207

Difference: Minus 923

Victory fans show their support during the Round 20 match between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City at Marvel Stadium last month. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Average 2018/19: 20,946

Highest: 40,504 — Lowest: 8039

Average 2017/18: 17,489

Highest: — 35,792 — Lowest: 8370

Difference: Plus 3457

NEWCASTLE JETS

Average 2018/19: 9001

Highest: 11,814 — Lowest: 6701

Average 2017/18: 12,560

Highest: 29,410 — Lowest: 6258

Difference: Minus 3559

PERTH GLORY

Average 2018/19: 9633

Highest: 11,393 — Lowest: 7213

Average 2017/18: 9186

Highest: 13,565 — Lowest: 7277

Difference: Plus 447

SYDNEY FC (before last night)

Average 2018/19: 14,471

Highest: 30,588 — Lowest: 10,101

Average 2017/18: 14,888

Highest: 36,057 — Lowest: 9110

Difference: Minus 417

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Average 2018/19: 8490

Highest: 18,043 — Lowest: 5067

Average 2017/18: 11,924

Highest: — 36,433 Lowest: 6612

Difference: Minus 3434

WELLINGTON PHOENIX (before last night)

Average 2018/19: 8586

Highest: 23,648 — Lowest: 4829

Average 2017/18: 5694

Highest: 8154 Lowest: 4312

Difference: Plus 2892

Compared to last season’s average: 2899 fans are staying away after 22 rounds

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