Why are Belper Town getting bigger match attendances than Ilkeston?

Belper Town are a very well run club but Ilkeston playing at a higher level and with such good facilities can’t attract the same number of supporters. Why is this?

Is it because Belper are winning matches and Ilkeston aren't?

Is watching a winning team at a lower level more attractive than watching a less successful team at a higher level?

Admission at Belper is:      Adults £11, Concessions  £7
Admission at Ilkeston is:    Adults £13  Concessions  £9
Are the prices at Ilkeston too high?



 

Last edited by Matchman (15/12/2025 11:48 AM)

I’ve always said that Ilkeston fans like watching a winning team no matter level they are playing at. How the club do this without rising up the pyramid is a real issue. There is a theory that if Ilkeston got relegated they would be better off financially. Lower wages, less travelling, more local derbies, more wins and therefore bigger gates. The only problem is that if you are more successful you get promoted and your back to square one.
At the moment the club appear to be aiming for self sufficiency but without vastly increased gates that might not be possible at step three without Andy having to draft in someone with lot and lots of money to give away! 

Matchman wrote:

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I've been looking at Belper Town's attendance figures which are considered to be reliable


In the 2021-22 season when Ilkeston won the NPL Midand Division league, Belper were also promoted via the playoffs and their average gate was 488.

Season 2022-23 they were relegated from the NPL Premier to the NPL East Division and the average gate that season was 527

In the 2023 -24 season after relegation their average gate was 498

in the 2024-25 season  their average gate was 547

So far this season their average gate is 599


​Belper Town gates:

Season                              League.       Avg Gate
21-22 promotion season.   NPL Mids       488     
22-23 relegation season.   NPL Prem       527
23-24 finished 6th              NPL East.       498
24-25 finished. 4th             NPL East        547
25-26  currently 2nd           NPL Mids       599

This shows remarkably consistent and rising attendances at Belper


 

a good thing about Belper is that its in the town itself ,could that be one factor . If you dont go by car to the New Manor ground its a long bloody walk or taxi ride ( more cost )  or maybe just maybe a bus ride but you have walk right to Georges to catch it ....Just to walk from the Market  place you are talking around half an hour . So if you live opposite the town of the ground  its big ask on a crap day/night . A taxi ride of what around  a five ? coming by bus it could be maybe two buses ?  Not saying its the main factor just mentioning one maybe ....
    As for the gate prices being too high, wasnt it the Stockesbridge game was a lower price and look at that attendance ,terrible .
    For me i havent been to the games as much  because as i have realised that sometimes i miss my grand kids coming round especially my two grand  kids from Bleasby  ok its only an hour away but ...... I do bring Billy my eldest grand child down which he does like maybe thats cause he gets a burger lol 
  Same goes for the away games now it seems now for me i woiuld be out to long again maybe missing the grand kids . Plus the traveling knackers me up now that must be a sign of my age  though lol
   
   

Last edited by kevilsonlad (15/12/2025 8:15 PM)

plymrob wrote:

Kev gives a few reasons to help explain falling gates... but football is full of up and downs - as most of us older fans understand. We still love seeing our teams (or, in my case, my second team) doing well. 

I live in Plymouth but do not support them in broad terms... (Please do not share outside of Ilson... but Plymouth to come down and Cheltenham to stay-up please...). But, to follow-up my previous, here is what 'Google AI' says about them in the years since I left Ilkeston.

"From 1998 to 2025, Plymouth Argyle F.C. experienced significant ups and downs, moving from the Third Division (Fourth Tier) to the Championship (Second Tier) and back, marked by promotions under Paul Sturrock in 2002 and as champions in 2023, a period of administration in the 2010s, and a return to League One by 2025, defining their identity as a resilient, promotion-hopping EFL club. Key moments include winning League Two in 2002 and 2019, Championship promotions in 2004 and 2023, and a major financial crisis leading to back-to-back relegations in the early 2010s, with the club currently in League One.  Key Eras & Achievements (1998-2025) 

• Late 1990s (Third/Fourth Tier): After relegation in 1998, Argyle started this period in the Fourth Tier (League Two) but found success under Paul Sturrock, achieving promotion in 2002.
• Early 2000s (Championship Rise): Winning the third-tier title in 2002 and again in 2004 (as Division Two/Championship), Argyle secured a spell in the Championship, reaching its peak in the mid-2000s.
• Mid-to-Late 2000s (Championship Stay): The club enjoyed six seasons in the Championship before administration hit, leading to relegations.
• 2010s (Rebuilding): Following administration and two relegations, Argyle found themselves back in League Two by 2011, beginning a rebuilding phase that saw them promoted back to League One in 2017 and 2020.
• 2020s (Return to Championship & Current Status): After winning League One in 2023, the Pilgrims returned to the Championship for the 2023-24 season, but were relegated back to League One for the 2025-26 season, a typical cycle of promotion and relegation for the club."
•  

In the same time period Cheltenham Town have been in League One twice, relegated back to the National League once... And nearly broke once (maybe twice...?).

Collectively, I'm reflecting now, we just need to take it on the chin and enjoy the "Journey*" the best we can...(*copyright 'Strictly Come Dancing' and other celeb based reality shows). 

Having ITFC in business has got to be No1. 

My thoughts mate especially your last part . The club have to be self sustainable and if that means relegation I will take it on the chin. Compared to older guys who have seen before I don't big time old players just coming for the money . You either want to play for Ilkeston or you want the money . The latter you get stuffed I don't want my fav club to suffer because of these players ...