It seemed a significantly bigger crowd than was reported

"We'd generally be guaranteed at least 5 or 6k against Wire at the Willows, regardless of how relatively good the two trams were. "

Great. That was quick work - the Metrolink's been extended to Barton....

"has late season ticket sales meant that many have opted to pick and choose instead?"

Think this is pretty near the mark actually. Last year, I bought 5 season tickets (myself, wife, 3 kids). This year, they weren't available so we didn't renew. Only 2 of us went last night (myself and my youngest), due to other commitments - if we had the season tickets, those commitments would have been worked around.

I must agree with BR, it certainly seemed like more. I have no basis on which to disagree with the published figure - I guess it must be right - but as I arrived, there were hundreds of people walking along the A57 towards the ground and the first car park (on the right as you drive to the stadium) was full, so I was directed past the West Stand to the North end car park, which also wasn't exactly empty. Inside, the West stand crowd was disappointingly sp and the East stand crowd was almost non-existent, but both North and South ends looked fairly well-occupied.

It must be a very disappointing figure for the Doctor. It is for me.

I agree with Man In Madrid that the lack of season tickets will deter some fans from going every week.

The attendance figure seems spot on to me. All three Salford stands were scarcely populated and Warrington brought less than they usually do.

Our hardcore support has been dwindling for years. Look back to the 1700 or so against Bradford a few years back and the challenge cup game against Leeds last year when I would have estimated we was outnumbered by the visitors by two to one. Fans will come back if we bring in players but the clubs been on a downer for six years.

Numbers will be down because we have stopped handing tickets out like confetti. Although our gates are down, income is probably up because everybody is paying to get in.

Unfortunately I was one of those daft enough to pay & watch my club & I am far from being daft!

What do some of you people want!
It to far to walk, I cannot get off the car park, the team is not good enough, I am not paying £20

We have a guy here who as backed us to stay in super league, we have been very lucky but what do we do, we vote with our feet.
If I was backed into a corner I know what fans I would not want to support me. Well done to all those who continue to support the Salford City reds.

I am sure there are loads who have sat behind there key board in the last few months saying we cannot let our club die.
I get sick of hearing the ground as no soul, it as no soul because the very people who are supposed to fill it are not interested.
Don't start bleating on when the Dr turns to Manchester or other areas to attract new supporters the Salford city reds become the Manchester reds.
As a Salford supporter & season ticket holder I was embarrassed by the lack of Salford supporters attending a local derby & for me we were out numbered with more Warrington fans.

Although I am not a football fan many Salford fans remind me of the armchair United fan who can tell you everything about the team & what should happen but surprisingly have never been near the ground.

Proud to follow my club.

I too was one of those and I'd say more than a few people would consider it daft. We were always getting hammered on Friday night, reason being because our team just isn't competitive at the moemnt. So unless you're one of the 2000 or so "die hards" you're not going to choose to come and watch that game. Where's the entertainment in doing so? Not everyone has the love for the club that we do and will support the club regardless.

Harsh fact but until we start competiting and even beating the likes of Warrington on a consistent basis I can't see our attendance figures improving much.

It is a sad fact, the club has taken the safety net away & quite rightly stopped the free tickets. Now for the first time we see the real hard core, sadly it is only around 2000!

I stand by what I said previously, Look at other clubs, one striking fact remains when there clubs are in trouble they rally behind, we have gone the other way wanting instant success.

I know where we are; I am under no illusion but walking out of the ground on Friday night there was one big difference I know things are changing for the better & with that thought I am happy to support & get behind my club.

.

It will just make success all that bit sweeter when we do finally lift the Super League trophy in front of over 30,000 Salford City Reds fans at Old Trafford!

You can say you we're on the 2000 or so die hards who were there from the beginning.

The Bradford scenario has the possibilty of being repeated again.

Should United overcome Chelsea in their reply, they will play the semi against City on Sunday 14th @ 4pm, whilst we will be at home to Hull @ 3pm.

The situation will not change overnight as previously said the fans have been dwindling for years starved of success but more importantly a competitive team on the pitch we have wasted god knows how much money on Simms, coaches and poor players .The Doc has lots of issues to address but most importantly get the coach sorted out then he can start to sign players not before . Veivers and Hunte both had no chance its not their fault but they have nothing to work with , Sheens or Smith or whoever wouldn't do any better ! Need coach now and then 6 at least quality signings to have any chance of competing . Once we compete the crowds will come . There are lots of issues as we know but get this right and people will be patient for the rest , i.e access ,parking ,prices,getting a ticket,merchandise the list is endless !!!!

Have to agree, Boggles61. If we were watching a competitive/winning team, all the smaller issues would feel less important. As things are, the team on the pitch become another thing to moan about along with the parking, lack of merchandise, etc.

There is only one thing that will get more people through the turnstiles and thats consistently (year on year) winning a lot more games than we lose.

If you analyse our Superleague record over the past 17 years the team have only achieved a 30% win rate in 385 games. The question is were we financially equipped to really compete in Superleague considering we couldn't spend anywhere close to the salary cap before the takeover? I can't think of any other team in rugby league with a worse record than that. You could argue that the franchise system over recent years has made it worse because with P&R it at least gives your team the chance to drop down a level and start winning more than you lose.

It's really surprising we have any fans left at all.

This.

Although, to get some of the wavering fans to return all we need is for them to look at the fixture and think 'Salford Vs XXXXXXX, should be a close game.' At the moment, nearly every fixture has a guaranteed outcome, and not the good kind. Those fans are going to look at the same fixture now and think 'I'll save my money'.