The Lilywhites enjoyed a dramatic end to the season, which included a local derby defeat and a six-nil thumping over a fellow playoff rival. As a result, Preston’s gates, although on average are still below the minimum required to break even – 18,000 – are up on those of last season.
The 2007/2008 season was where North End suffered their worst attendances since their promotion to the Championship where a mere 12,753 people on average came to Deepdale in a relegation threatened season.
As a result of this season’s dramatic 6th place finish, the average attendance is up by nearly a thousand based on last year’s figures. Trends show that campaigns that follow on form those of a playoff push see an increase in gates meaning that, if the trend is to continue, North End’s gates should take another turn for the better in 2009/2010.
Comparing this season’s gates to other recent playoff campaigns, namely 2005 and 2006 – where Preston reached the playoff final and playoff semi final respectively – North End enjoyed an average attendance of in the mid-to-high 14000s in both seasons.
North End’s highest since their promotion to the Championship was during the 2001/2002 season where the average attendance was 15,030 not including cup games.
The Figures:
2008/2009 Season
Total Attendance for 2008/2009 Season League Games Including Playoff First Leg: 329,932
Average League Attendance: 13,747
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (3): 366,165
Average Attendance Including Cup Games: 13,562
Average Attendance of Cup Games (3): 12,078
Biggest Gate of the Season: 23,046 Vs Liverpool 3rd January 2009
2007/2008 Season
Total Attendance for 2007/2008 Season League Games: 293,326
Average League Attendance: 12, 753
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (3): 317,485
Average Attendance including cup games (3): 12,221
Average Attendance of Cup Games (3): 8,053
Biggest Gate of the Season: 17,807 Vs Blackpool 8th December 2007
2006/2007 Season
Total Attendance for 2006/2007 season: 318,822
Average League Attendance: 14,492
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (2): 348,030
Average Attendance Including Cup Games (2): 14,501
Average Attendance of Cup Games (2): 14,604
Biggest Gate of the Season: 19,603 Vs Sunderland 14th October 2006
2005/2006 Season
Total Attendance for 2005/2006 Season Including Playoff First Leg: 356,623
Average League Attendance: 14,859
Total Attendance Including Cup Games: 397,506
Average Attendance Including Cup Games: 14,197
Average Attendance of Cup Games (4): 10,221
Biggest Gate of the Season: 20,383 Vs Leeds United 8th May 2006
2004/2005 Season
Total Attendance for 2004/2005 Season Including Playoff First Leg: 339,752
Average League Attendance: 14,156
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (1): 352,757
Average Attendance Including Cup Games (1): 14,110
Average Attendance of Cup Games (1): 13,005
Biggest Gate of the Season: 20,315 Vs Derby County 15th May 2005
2003/2004 Season
Total Attendance for 2003/2004 Season: 352,461
Average League Attendance: 14,150
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (2): 339,905
Average Attendance Including Cup Games (2): 13,596
Average Attendance of Cup Games (2): 7,222
Biggest Gate of the Season: 18,246 Vs West Ham United August 9th 2003
2002/2003 Season
Total Attendance for 2002/2003 Season: 318,627
Average League Attendance: 13,853
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (2): 332,983
Average Attendance Including Cup Games (2): 13,319
Average Attendance of Cup Games (2): 7,178
Biggest Gate of the Season: 16,665 Vs Portsmouth March 22nd 2003
2001/2002 Season
Total Attendance for 2001/2002 Season: 315,632
Average League Attendance: 15,030
Total Attendance Including Cup Games (1): 328,700
Average Attendance Including Cup Games (1): 14,941
Average Attendance of Cup Games (1): 13,068
Biggest Gate of the Season: 21,014 Vs Manchester City 21st October 2001
2000/2001 Season
Average Attendance for 2000/2001 Season: 14,887
Biggest Gate of the Season: 19,954 Vs Bolton Wanderers