I know many season ticket holders do not turn up for cup matches but even so the drop in Queens fans through the turnstiles yesterday was huge compared to the Ayr game.
The attendances across the board were extremely poor and reflects the public attitude to this competition now that the authorities have allowed these other nations to participate at this stage. Was the Queens game not the second best attended in Scotland yesterday?
Participation of the other nations, as well as the Highland and Loweland League sides has freshened things up a bit in my opinion (though maybe easier for me to say in that I have always had an interest in all those leagues). The tournament was however often poorly supported until the latter stages long before the other nation teams were involved.
For me it is the inclusion of Premier League Under 21 teams that completely devalue the competition. I get that it is good for the development of young players but can't make for a great spectacle when it is literally men against boys. The fact that no fewer than 5 SPL Under21 teams made it this far this time out makes it more apparent as usually they are all out in the first two rounds. Games involving the Under21 teams whether against each other or others against them have created some of the lowest attendances ever in the history of the Scottish game at this level.
Sligo Rovers were drawn at home v Livi Under 21s and I can't imagine it would be much of a pull for the Irish fans when we want them to embrace the competition.
Noticed Dundee Unts attendance v Alloa yesterday of around 1080, and wonder if that might be a record low attendance for them in the Scottish game. I suspect that is partly down to everything else that is happening at Tannadice these days, not just the competition itself. Also in the last couple of seasons Dundee Unt have fielded weakened teams in this competition using fringe players, which again though good for development are not so for the fans paying good money to watch a first team game (hence the reason Crusaders knocked them out last season). It has to be said though that United won't ever want to be in this competition as they except to be playing at a higher level.
On a personal note I'd far rather see us playing Irish, Welsh or English Vanerama teams than meeting a team in our own division any day (apart from the semis onwards). We already play the teams in our own league too often every season never mind additional cup matches).
I agree with Sturie. I' m a big fan of this tournament and love the freshness of seeing different sides from different countries , comparing their football to ours . I also like looking up our opponents on the 'net' and learning a bit about them. Any away game to Wales, England , Northern Ireland or Republic will do me nicely.
Last edited by JRSLEFTPEG; 09-09-2018 at 07:39 PM.
I agree 100%. Playing Irish, Welsh or English teams gives the game a European feel about it.
Good for the players and a much needed change for us.
People moan about playing the same teams 4 times a season but then turn their backs when we play another team from a different country. Very strange
People will just not pay the money over and above their season ticket for a cup game. Especially a cup that is perceived to be the least important we play in.
It happens at every other club in the country. It certainly isn’t QOTS Syndrome.