It's official, league confirms Munster fans' claims

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Crowds more than doubling across the league in the last 6 seasons is a great achievement for a much maligned competition.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0527/1224271229135.html

MUNSTER’S CHALLENGE for the ***le may have fallen at the semi-final stage in the RDS two weeks ago but their fans’ claims that they are the best supported team in Europe went some way towards being proven as fact yesterday. According to figures released by the Magners League, last year’s winners attracted over twice the competition average of 8,576 to Thomond Park and Musgrave Park over the regular 18 rounds of play this season.

Proving they are still one of Europe’s main draws, average ticket sales for Munster topped 18,600, which represents a four per cent increase on the 2008-09 season and makes them the best supported team in the competition.


“Congratulations must go to Munster on ending another season as the Magners League’s Best Supported Team. The loyalty of their fans is renowned throughout Europe, and the support they give their team is outstanding,†said director of Celtic Rugby, David Jordan.


Overall crowds were up for the competition and for the first time in the tournament’s history figures reached the three quarters of a million mark. The 771,852 attendance represents an increase of 5.5 per cent on last season. That average figure of 8,576 also represents more than double the average of 3,802 recorded six years ago, when home and away games in the competition first started.


Significant increases in attendance for Glasgow, Cardiff and Connacht have significantly pushed up the overall numbers.


“Almost all Magners League teams have recorded an increase in their gates this year; Glasgow Warriors by nearly 28 per cent, Cardiff Blues 25 per cent, whilst Connacht have seen an eight per cent increase,†added Jordan.


“This is a remarkable achievement in a year of economic turmoil, travel chaos and weather interruptions. Saturday’s grand final clash between Leinster and Ospreys should provide ample proof of the magic that has enticed so many new fans into the Magners eague.â€

 

[Gleision]

I dont think nobody will argue that they probably the best supported team in europe certainly the most passionate.Good increases for Glasgow and the Blues.The magners in general is growing all be it at a small rate ,but its growth none the less.I wouldnt be surprised if the Dragons average crowd is up,they certainly seemed to crank it up in the last 2 or three months of the season.

 

[coonor]

Glad that connachts attendence have topped 2000. Hopefully even more with the extra 2 teams next season which will be great for connacht

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads despite been from Munster this award is shared as we're just glad the ML is going from strength to strength and it is becoming such a competitive force

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Great to see. These statistics will only get better in coming years with the italian teams joining and general increased interest in rugby.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Ah sure what else is there to do in Limerick? Burn someone's house down to the axles? Drink some Linden Village in the side of ditch? I laugh at your petty statistics.

 

[munstermuffin]

Jeez feicarsinn you really paint all with one brush. Limerick actually a great sporting city and well even in your beloved Wicklow there isn't a perfect place but few bad apples don't mean everyone bad.

Munster do have great support and are proud of their team but no point boasting as well we know Leinster, Ospreys and everyone else has just as passionate support and we just happy that the statistics show the ML is getting better and better and the competition is becoming immense.

 

[Feicarsinn]

That was a joke munstermuffin, you know, humour?