Saturday 21 September 2019

Historical Elite Level Attendance Figures : Leigh Centurions


How does being at the top level of a sport affect attendance figures compared to when relegated to a lower division? I thought I'd look at that with data I have, moving on to the Leigh Centurions club. It's situated in Greater Manchester, historically Lancashire and was particularly known for its cotton industry and coal mining. The population is just over 50,000 in number.

As for the RL club, it is one of the 22 founding clubs that formed in 1895. They have won the Challenge Cup twice (1921 & 1971) and been first division champions the same number of times (1906 & 1982).


Pre-Super League
Super League

80-81 4,498 10/16
2005 4,736 12/12

81-82 5,939 1/16
2017 6,301 11/12

82-83 4,617 10/16


83-84 4,434 11/16
SL Average 5,519

84-85 3,822 14/16
Pre SL Average 4,544

86-87 4,883 10/16
Combined 4,706

87-88 4,516 12/14


89-90 4,634 12/14




92-93 3,802 11/14




93-94 4,292 16/16




The 1980-81 to 1984-85 top flight presence (shaded yellow) ended when came 14th out of 16 sides. Another two year stint followed (salmon) but 12th from 14 sides extinguished that return. A 1989-90 return ended abruptly, then another two years at the top also concluded with a 16th placing.

Super League arrived and for only two seasons have Leigh been involved, neither proving successful on the field although the attendance figure in 2017 was well above any in this period under discussion. Crowds in the Championship in non Super league years are set out below from 2012. Today the club plays at a very nice, modern 12,500 capacity stadium (see pic). Attendances in the division two championship are not too far removed form the first division elite level.

Please note the Pre-SL Average above includes only the figures shown above from 1980-81 to 93-94.

Leigh 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Championship 1,772 1,584 ? 3,421 3,545 SL 3,539 3,241

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