A couple of weeks ago, I completed a mini-survey designed to reveal the demographic of our support.
The article – our-demographic-is-live-outside-luton-born-in-luton-51-and-over – prompted a decent response and provided a couple of comments that have had me thinking ever since.
Now I openly admit I’m a football addict, I watch every game I can, or should that be allowed to, on the television.
With the Hatters in the EFL Championship, games from that league naturally attract my attention and, just recently, I’ve begun to notice just how many of the grounds are sparsely populated, with row after row of empty seats.
Which brings me nicely back to the comments beneath the linked article, comments that mention the lack of integration of the various communities in the town.
Several comments, when mentioning Power Court, implied that Luton’s current fan base would have difficulty filling the proposed ground to capacity.
Presently, the Hatters are able to regularly put the SOLD OUT signs up for games, with the capacity limited to circa 10,000.
But would, when Power Court is completed they be able to increase their attendance by a further 70%?
Of course, the ticket allocation for the away support would be increased, but the question still troubles me if we do not manage to claim a place at the top table of English football, the Premier League
Will Luton Fill Power Court When It Is Built?
Yes!
Maybe!
No!
Please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – The Honeymoon Period Debate Kicks Off Again
Mh, with the state of our beloved Kenny an people I talk to I have no doubt that the new stadium would be filled many I talk to say that they no longer go with their children or grandchildren is the state of the Kenny. But if anew stadium is built at power court . With no disrespect to bury park.its a much more attractive proposition in location an we could boost attendances by 3 or 4 thousands
Depends on what division and/or how successful we are in that season. Not many beyond the 8k-9k current home support will surely stump up to see us failing in league one or 2? Possibly in the champ. Definitely in the prem. Maybe attendance will be nearer capacity in promotion chasing seasons in league 1 and 2, definitely in the champ. And we’d could do bigger for a good prem season.
What I hope we do is have a plan for making sure atmosphere isn’t lost in seasons where we aren’t successful. Close top rows down across the whole stadium so everyone is still close together and near the pitch (and camera angles for tv highlights).
I know of quite a few who give KR a miss primarily down to view/ legroom. I see us as a similar fan base to Preston and therefore would average about 13-15k. The big opportunity with a new ground would be the chance to maximise bigger game attendances such as a local derby or big cup game. Currently we’re flat lining at 10k whatever the fixture. Of course we wouldn’t fill it every week but that’s not an issue! Also where the fans live isn’t an issue, I see plenty of Leeds fans driving up from the South East when they’re at home. You’re free to move away but it’s still your club!
I’m gonna be honest here and it may not be popular. But before I am, I think we’d comfortably get 15k for most games, sellout of 17.5k for the big and local matches.
Now as I was saying about honesty.
I have a season ticket at the Kenny. I haven’t been to a single game this season, I knew I wouldn’t get to many but had to take up my ticket or I’d never get one again next year, and what if we’re I’m the EPL and I let my ticket go.
It’s selfish. But there isn’t an option for me to take top spot in the queue for releasing my ticket, so I just pay for it and don’t go.
I see all the games on TV and have been to 3 away games, with two more this month, but overall I don’t get to the ground for personal reasons and I don’t want to lose my seat.
Looking at the empty seats each week, I’m not the only one that can’t always take up their seat.
I think it’s an interesting point, but the demographics aren’t actually representative of the Club’s following – but more likely, the people who follow this blog, and are inclined to complete online polls. It’s true that a large number of the Club’s fanbase live outside Luton – but not that far outside – certainly within Bedfordshire / Herts and within half an hour of the Town. The Club did a lot of thinking about capacity, factoring the possibility of playing further up the pyramid and possibly in the Premier League.
With a small capacity at Kenilworth Road, and with a large percentage of season ticket holders – it’s hard to enable new audiences through the gates, and also – to some of the local community, football outside of the Prem is not appealing. I’m sure that in a bigger newer stadium in a more central location – and with the ability to entertain more away fans – we could fill Power Court.
some good points made there
I don’t think it’ll be an issue……there’s teams in championship now that have capacities bigger than power court will hold and get a 25% crowd……even current figures would be a 40% attendance for mist championship sides…….luton could easily attract 15-16 thousand a week in the championship
The problem I have is that due to work commitments I could only attend maybe 9 or 10 home games per season. The biggest problem for me personally is that I have lived and worked overseas for a lot of years. I last had a season ticket in the early 90’s so have no recent ticket purchase history. Under current rules , I am not eligible to buy a ticket. With a new bigger stadium these restrictions would hopefully be lifted and I could attend matches again. There must be others in a similar situation, probably not thousands though.
Like most new stadiums, the initial interest will most likely be high. Providing that the view is good and the facilities, like food & drink, toilets and, for me, ease of leaving the ground are suitable, I would think that this will be maintained at Power Court. It would hopefully bring back those supporters that have deserted us for the swanky Stadium MK (Yes, I know at least 2 that have done this 🤮).
Of course, ticket pricing is also a major factor, get this wrong and it could lower attendances.
A difficult balancing act for the board though. What is better? A full ground cheering on the lads due to affordable ticket pricing or reduced attendances but higher ticket revenues for the club? A full home ground would hopefully attract more revenue through food & drink outlets and club shop sales.
I cannot see it being too much of a problem to fill it. I live overseas and would start to visit more frequently given the opportunity. KR has a magical and completely unique atmosphere but it isn’t sustainable. I’ve sat in the director’s box a few times and the view is terrible from there. Add in the cost of the fire marshals and we know we have to move.
I don’t think the current projected capacity of PC is overdoing it. Sure, it we went down a league or 2 it wouldn’t reach capacity very often, but Luton Town’s level over the years point to the Championship being our natural home.
i was wondering how the atmosphere would change from being cramped in the kenny, to a more open brand new stadium. people will have to find there favourite new place to watch from. will a new type of supporter emerge with fresh idea’s about the team. i wonder how the older supporters will react to massive change. will the more open pitch affect the way the team perform. can’t wait to see.COYH.
perhaps the acoustics will be better!