The Western Sydney Wanderers have topped the average crowd count at the completion of the 2020-21 A-League home-and-away season.
Despite their team having a roller coaster season, the red and black faithful still turned up in decent numbers, which saw them finish eighth and miss out on finals action for a fourth consecutive season.
A total of 104,801 fans turned up at the Wanderers’ 13 home games at Bankwest Stadium, giving an average of 8061. Sydney FC finished second with 7813, while the league average was 5660.
Western United finished bottom of the crowd count, averaging only 3290 fans in a season that saw them play at four different home grounds. New kids on the block Macarthur FC averaged 3532.
The Wanderers were expected to challenge for post-season action this season, but a lean patch in the middle of the season – which saw them go six games without a win – put paid to that.
(Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images)
The Wanderers have finished in the top four in terms of average crowds for all but one of the nine seasons they have been in the A-League, and that was 2018-19, their final season at Olympic Park.
The Wanderers’ final membership tally in 2020-21 was well over 18,000 with more than 10,000 ticketed members.
Their biggest crowd was 20,336 in the Round 19 derby against the Sky Blues, with the Wanderers pulling off a stirring 3-2 win.
Carl Robinson has promised a shake-up of the playing roster during the off-season, with the club looking at bringing in new players as well as promoting their highly regarded youth products.
The likes of Ali Auglah, Alessandro Lopane and Reuben Awaritefe have all come through the club’s academy program this year and have scored 22 goals between them in NSW NPL2. Auglah has 12 in 14 games with the Wanderers’ youth team sitting in second spot, halfway through the current NPL2 season.
The club’s policy of building from within has bore rich dividends in an otherwise disappointing A-League campaign. Mark Natta, Thomas Aquilina and Tate Russell have regularly been among the team’s best each week.
Another youth product in Keanu Baccus, the 2018-19 Wanderers Player of the Year, is expected to make a big money move to Ferencvaros in Hungary, with Western Sydney expected to receive a six-figure sum for his transfer.
The money is expected to be used to bring in some more talent to bolster the squad, who finished eighth this season.
The Wanderers will celebrate their tenth anniversary next season, with the club set to reward their loyal fans with a number of initiatives to thank them for their support.
josh
Guest
That's one thing but these same fans wanted the club to fight for them for a change. Some of the best fans WSW had are currently serving decade long bans for things that happened nowhere near a ground.
Coastyboi
Guest
Basically, Wanderer’s supporters only follow their team if they’re winning. Do you think WSW would survive P&R? Never. Similar to Victory fans. What a fickle bunch of plastics. If you want real passion, just take a look at Adelaide United or to a lesser extent Perth Glory. Solid numbers, regardless of their table position.
Skoose
Roar Rookie
Maybe look at your state government for over officious behaviour at the grounds.
Skoose
Roar Rookie
At least RnB turn up in bad weather unlike some other teams supporters.
Skoose
Roar Rookie
That’s a bargain compared to Olympic sports such as diving and ice skating!
josh
Guest
Odd article this one, a lot of us have stayed away from the club due to the poor performance of the board (not the team) and their decisions. We still support the team but refuse to be used as cash registers. Once the right people are relieved of their duties and the club backs the fans again we will be back with a vengeance.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Anyone drawing conclusions from this seasons crowds is an ...... well, let’s say “they’re drawing a long bow”. How many teams played games behind closed doors? How many teams played games with COVID restricted crowds? How many teams played numerous games on midweek days instead of weekends? How many teams had games postponed and moved unexpectedly or rescheduled at short notice? All of the above (and more) impacted crowds - and if Wanderers are celebrating an average as low as this season ... it’s no wonder they’ve become something of a joke.
Will Stefanson
Roar Rookie
Poor headline. I don’t think WSW have the most “loyal“ fan base, just the biggest.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Thats why you cant compare with other states. A second team might at least somewhat boost attendance with derbies - Hopefully Olympic Games, Womens W C in Oz - Mens W C - new Broadcasting arrangements with xtra publicity will all significantly help the cause - even in Adelaide.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
yes a 1 team city where the sport is not popular as opposed to the team who plays out of the hotbed of football talent in nsw.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
The effects of COVID on spectators was obvious - matches scheduled all over the place - multiple games on same week nights - teams locked interstate and little publicity. As for Adelaide as a benchmark they are a one team state.
Remote
Guest
Community connection/identification are key factors in establishing any new football club. How well you do that is paramount. A home ground and area to represent are also key factors. At this stage then I’d be backing MacArthur over Western United, given also that Macarthur kicked off behind the eight ball during Covid
NoMates
Roar Rookie
With the crowds that showed up for Wellington back in NZ one has to think.
dennis emery
Guest
Some good points made here. The biggest worry has to be the crowd attendances at Western United and Macarthur with 3,532 and 3,290 respectively. Two new licences and lowest crowds of 1,872 and 990. Should these have ever been awarded ? The only people that can answer this have long departed the employment of the FFA.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
wanderers are a shambles of a club, whats that 3 seasons in a row with no finals? they de stabilised multiple clubs in the off season with there dirty tactics involving players. robinson was given every player he asked for and then some, the fact he couldnt coach this team to the finals, says more about the coach than the playing group. If wanderers are a truly big club then they need to sack robinson, they were in the top 5 in terms of money spent this season. as for crowds, if you exclude the sydney derbys they'd be right down the list. Adelaide is the team you always use as the barometer for crowds, we shouldnt ever be in the top 3 attendances in any season. The fact wanderers only beat us by less than 700 fans & sydney by less than 500 fans weekly says alot about the league; and its massive east coast problems when it comes to fan attendance.
Mike
Guest
Impressive to see their fans still turn out. Be interesting to see how next year goes with a new tv deal and better marketing
AR
Guest
Brand new 30k capacity purpose built stadium. Safe standing areas. The most popular team in all of western Sydney. $300M of public money. ...and 8k per game ?