DESPITE an inconsistent season, Witton Albion’s attendance figures indicate loyalty being shown by their supporters.

Fellow Northern Premier League West side 1874 Northwich’s average turnout is showing an alarming drop, while the enforced move into the Midland Premier League could partly explain the reduction in home ‘gates’ being experienced by Northwich Victoria.

Winsford United’s and Barnton’s crowd numbers are faring well compared to the majority of their rivals in North West Counties League Division One South.

These are all features of Northwich Guardian’s delve into match statistics for our senior local sides during the 2022/23 season, up to the end of November.

The side attracting the most people through the turnstiles, locally, are Witton Albion, according to published records.

From seven home games, they are averaging attendances of 423 which is just slightly lower than last season’s average of 451 but still a healthy increase on the 2021/22 relegation season which came in at 368.

These figures were achieved against the backdrop of not winning a home league game for two months.

The visit by Trafford on November 4, a match that Albion lost 4-0, drew the biggest crowd so far of 502, while the lowest ‘gate’ was the 348 who watched Witton’s 4-1 defeat to Nantwich Town at the U Lock It Stadium on November 28.

Witton’s numbers place them 10th in a table for highest average attendance by NPL West clubs this season.

In the same division, 1874 Northwich’s average 2023/24 crowd at Townfield – where they groundshare with Barnton – is 249 from eight matches.

That compares to 347 last season and 281 for the 2021/22 campaign.

If the numbers are related to performance on the field, then 1874’s lowly position in the table which recently led to co-managers Wayne Goodison and Paul Bowyer stepping down, could provide an explanation.

The best turnout up to the end of November was 359 for the 4-0 home loss to Bootle on November 11, while the lowest was 186 when Greens fell 2-1 to Avro on November 25.

Sixteen teams in the division are achieving better averages so far.

Meanwhile, Northwich Victoria – who were moved out of the more local North West Counties League into the Midlands League Premier Division by the FA during their end-of-season allocations process – are feeling a 15 per cent drop in their home average crowds.

Vics, who were sharing Witton Albion’s ground but confirmed their immediate move into Winsford United’s Barton Stadium in the past few weeks, are attracting an average 157 to home matches this season.

That increases to 175 for league matches only, which is the fourth highest average in the Midland League.

The 194 attendance for the 2-1 win against Romulus on October 7 is their biggest crowd so far, while the ‘gate’ of 100 listed on the NWCFL website for the Cheshire Senior Cup home tie with Cheadle Town on October 11 is their lowest.

Winsford United’s average of 194 from 12 games in NWCFL Division One South is swelled by the 502 figure achieved for the clash with Abbey Hulton United on October 7, which is their best turnout of 2023/24 so far.

That home average this term is second highest in the division.

Blues’ lowest attendance was 102 when they entertained Market Drayton Town on November 11.

In the same division, Barnton are averaging 143 from 11 games which is the sixth best from 18 teams.

That figure is boosted by the 320 fans attracted to the fixture with Droylsden on September 29, making that the biggest attendance so far this term, while the lowest turnout was 58 against Brocton on November 4.