Figures for matches played up to and including 31 December 2012 have now been released, which show that gates are up by 2.3% overall, with a 4.3% rise during December.

Crowds in Ryman South show an increase of 24%, mainly thanks to the homecoming of Maidstone United who achieved an average of 1,581 in their first nine home games, a staggering increase of over 300% from last season. And, because these figures are up to the end of December, that does not include the season’s-best crowd of 2,291 who watched the New Year’s Day game against Sittingbourne.

Other success stories are Whitehawk, who show a 27% increase following their promotion to Ryman Premier, and another Ryman South club, Burgess Hill Town, whose gates were up 29% after eight home games.

There was another four-figure crowd when Hythe Town entertained Folkestone Invicta on Boxing Day, and on the same day 883 saw Lewes play Bognor Regis Town at the Dripping Pan.

In Ryman North the best Boxing Day attendance was 322 at AFC Sudbury but this did not beat the season high which was registered at Tilbury for the visit of Grays Athletic during October, when 421 spectators were recorded.

Sadly, the increases in Ryman South are not matched in the North and in the Premier.

Attendances in the North are down 15% but it is to be hoped that the impact of the promotion of Wroxham and Witham Town will reflect in increased attendances during the remainder of the season.

In the Premier, though attendances are down by 6%, it is to be hoped that the lost supporters will be discovered in the remaining four months of the season as the promotion and relegation battles warm up.

Ryman League