Near the end of last night’s Arsenal v Man City game, Arsenal declared an attendance of 58k much to the mirth of Garry Neville who reckoned there was less than half that. The ground did look pretty empty especially in the centre sections and upper tiers.

Anyway, the commentator clarified the matter and a debate that we’ve have a few times on here by confirming that clubs English clubs declare all season ticket holders and pre-bought tickets in the official attendance irrespective of whether or not the person turns up. In other words it’s not based on turnstile clicks on the day as some have suggested.

This explains some of our midweek gates when it was obvious there was 2 or 3 thousand less than declared, but even more so, how a less than half-full Sty still declare 26k Pigs trot through their quaint 1960’s-esk manual turnstiles.