European Attendances : 1980-81 to 1984-85

This was a period for the city of Hull, in terms of attendances but also on field performance. Hull FC topped the averages, the only club to exceed a 10,000 average over the five years covered here. Hull KR was falling as each year passed but managed to hold off an improving Wigan. With promotion and relegation, some teams were up and down like yo-yos.

For a professional competition, the numbers were small, but it was mainly confined to the north of England, along a motorway called the M62 corridor. Many of these towns in this area had suffered from industrial decline. In light of that, the numbers are entirely understandable.

This is the last in the series, unless I can find data to continue the project. It goes from here right up until the present day. To follow it, click on the link to the next in the series (under the chart) or click on the UK Attendances label on the right of your screen.

SL Attendances 1980-81 to 1984-85
		Average	1984-85	1983-84	1982-83	1981-82	1980-81
1	Hull FC	11,126	8,525	10,679	11,525	13,190	11,711
2	Hull KR	7,737	6,715	6,966	7,379	8,723	8,904
3	Wigan	7,617	10,060	7,483	7,426	5,497	-
4	Leeds	6,260	7,330	6,542	5,893	5,599	5,934
5	Bradford	5,282	4,251	5,316	4,920	5,816	6,105
6	St Helens	5,266	7,336	4,656	4,543	4,862	4,934
7	Widnes	4,901	4,466	4,546	4,703	5,485	5,306
8	Leigh	4,662	3,822	4,434	4,617	5,939	4,498
9	Warrington	4,088	3,801	4,059	3,824	3,838	4,916
10	Wakefield	4,010	-	3,483	-	3,732	4,814
11	Castleford	3,892	3,217	4,288	3,548	3,791	4,616
12	Oldham	3,786	4,562	3,641	3,721	-	3,220
13	Barrow	3,741	2,728	-	4,008	4,162	4,065
14	York	3,677	-	-	-	3,677	-
15	Halifax	3,286	3,497	-	2,270	-	4,090
16	Fulham	3,280	-	2,238	-	4,321	-
17	Salford	2,929	-	2,399	-	-	3,458
18	Featherstone	2,786	2,505	2,965	2,647	2,805	3,007
19	Hunslet	2,185	2,185	-	-	-	-
20	Whitehaven	2,156	-	1,639	-	2,672	-
21	Carlisle	1,924	-	-	1,924	-	-
22	Workington	1,526	920	-	1,470	-	2,188
	TOT AVG	4,894	4,745	4,708	4,651	5,257	5,110
	TOTAL	5,873,213	1,138,811	1,130,034	1,116,267	1,261,619	1,226,482

For the next five year period, simply click here.

Data source: Rugby League Project.

European Attendances : 1985-86 to 1989-90

During this five year period, there was a mixture of 14 to 16 teams in the first division. 21 sides were involved, some briefly. The only one that surpassed five figures was Wigan, well above the rest Then eight sides were between 5,000 and 10,000 average spectators. Over half couldn't manage to reach 5,000.

Many of the teams below played in modestly populated areas but cities like Bradford were surprisingly poorly attended. The game going to the summertime certainly had a positive effect.

SL Attendances 1985-86 to 1989-90
		Average	1989-90	1988-89	1987-88	1986-87	1985-86
1	Wigan	14,137	13,973	14,557	13,021	14,691	14,441
2	Leeds	9,964	12,233	12,060	9,910	7,620	7,995
3	St Helens	8,430	8,555	9,713	8,416	8,516	6,948
4	Halifax	6,447	-	8,025	6,506	5,628	5,628
5	Widnes	6,400	7,858	8,802	6,262	4,431	4,649
6	Hull FC	6,346	6,218	6,804	5,111	6,390	7,206
7	Castleford	5,510	6,428	6,840	4,521	5,491	4,271
8	Hull KR	5,120	-	5,246	4,187	5,367	5,679
9	Oldham	5,036	-	5,858	-	4,525	4,726
10	Bradford	4,970	5,584	4,969	4,723	4,976	4,597
11	Warrington	4,853	5,412	4,893	4,970	4,814	4,176
12	Leigh	4,678	4,634	-	4,516	4,883	-
13	Wakefield	4,550	5,456	5,151	-	3,042	-
14	Sheffield	4,038	4,038	-	-	-	-
15	Salford	3,639	3,713	4,917	3,727	2,931	2,908
16	Featherstone	3,582	4,264	4,379	-	3,008	2,678
17	York	3,283	-	-	-	-	3,283
18	Swinton	3,055	-	-	2,987	-	3,122
19	Hunslet	2,678	-	-	2,678	-	-
20	Barrow	2,536	1,997	-	-	3,074	-
21	Dewsbury	2,099	-	-	-	-	2,099
	TOT AVG	5,799	6,455	7,301	5,824	4,842	4,572
	TOTAL	5,822,802	1,174,723	1,328,798	1,059,964	1,162,023	1,097,294

For the next five year period, simply click here.
The previous five years can be easily accessed by clicking here.

Data source: Rugby League Project.