Where did all the Welsh fans go?

Friday 18 December 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
Magners League > Cardiff Blues

Welsh rugby fans are known as being among the most passionate in the world, so why don't they bother turning up to games anymore?

The international side doesn't need to worry about filling the massive Millennium Stadium, but attendances for the regions have been disappointing at best.

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young said this week that boos from the crowd during his side's home victory over Toulouse in the Heineken Cup won't trouble him, since it was a winning effort.

But ignoring the need to entertain supporters could prove costly, as he's now told the Western Mail that the turnout at the 27,000-seater Cardiff City Stadium is troubling.

"We couldn't help but be a bit disappointed with 10,500," said Young."We have to be honest about that."

The paper observed that average attendance at Munster games is nearing 21,000, but the Cardiff coach's argument is simply that they've been working on boosting attendance for longer. Perhaps if he pays a little more attention to providing a spectacle worth watching, more people will turn up.