When the NI Football League revealed the attendance statistics for the Playr-Fit Championship and Premier Intermediate League, you just had to crack a smile.
Both divisions have seen a rise in crowds this campaign, with the PIL – expanded from 12 to 14 teams during the off-season – experiencing a 29 per cent increase in match-goers, while the Championship’s meteoric 85 per cent climb marks a near-doubling compared to last term.
In the third-tier, just Friday past, it was a packed house at Iveagh Park to witness a South Down Derby between newly-promoted Rathfriland and Banbridge Town.
The former, promoted via a three-team play-in having clinched the Amateur League title, are an ambitious side and have invested time and money in upgrading their facilities to bring up nights like those.
Though the hosts fell the wrong side of a clash that featured three red cards – The Town, an established PIL outfit now under Mark Kerr’s managerial tutelage, prevailed 2-0 – a mixture of an updated set-up and well-judged scheduling added a thorough air of occasion and anticipation around the game.
Some other factors have played their part, too. Before 2023/24, there were no Co Tyrone representatives in the PIL, but that was all change when Coagh United joined Rathfriland through that same play-in – a last-gasp winner against Mid-Ulster outfit Oxford Sunnyside guaranteeing that Hagan Park would host third-tier duels for the first time in seven years.
Throw in the likes of big hitters Warrenpoint Town and Ballymacash Rangers as well as grand old forces such as Moyola Park and Lisburn Distillery, all with dedicated faithfuls in their own rights, and you see how this increase is reached.
Naturally, the likes of The ‘Point and The ‘Cash have ambitions of achieving promotion to the Championship this campaign – and why not?
Quite spectacularly, those flocking to fixtures at the second level of the pyramid has almost doubled.
In NIFL’s own statement, they illustrated that the respective promoted and relegated clubs to the division were a big reason behind it.
Making specific reference to crowds being “boosted by the return of Portadown and Bangor to the ranks”, this is hardly the sole factor, not by any stretch, but Niall Currie’s demoted Ports and Lee Feeney’s promoted Seasiders are two clubs with storied Irish League histories and sizeable support bases that reflect such status.
The dynamic of the Championship itself, an unpredictable league where no holds are barred and anything can happen, has led to collective climbs.
That open nature actively encourages proactive, attack-minded football – the effect of that is drama, often late in games, and an environment where every team is playing to win.
Some are the beating heart of their local area, such as the Irish League’s sole Co Fermanagh institution Ballinamallard United, while others including Ballyclare Comrades – who’ve also reported noteworthy increases in attendance – could be said to have benefited from fixture scheduling at neighbours Larne.
The Inver Reds have regularly availed of home Friday night kick-offs during the past couple of years that leave Saturdays free for their fans to consume elsewhere in the local area – that extends to Newington, too, who now play home ties at Inver Park and offer a reduced £5 entry fee for Larne season ticket holders.
At a regular £8 admission across the second and third divisions, it is also ridiculously good value for money and, in many ways, they offer a different vibe compared to the crème de la crème in the Premiership.
The building blocks are ostensibly there for both leagues to grow. While, yes, some of it is circumstantial, it is meaningful nevertheless.
It’s been refreshing to see them get their flowers, while NIFL’s online promotion – reporting over 1.75 million views on social media this term – is also very worthy of credit. Let’s hope this is just the start.
Featured image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
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