Sale

Successful in Stockport

For a full explanation of the source of and rationale behind these figures please refer to The Figures Explained.

2003/4 Season

There are striking similarities between Sale and the team previously covered in this series, Newcastle. They both play in areas that were not traditionally rugby union heartland. They have both done an excellent job of developing support in their home areas. In Wilkinson and Robinson they have got perhaps the two best-known England stars in the country. One consequence of this is that the ‘world cup effect’ is much more noticeable at these clubs than anywhere else. Both clubs suffered from sharp declines in audiences in the late 90’s. Both have turned themselves around and grown healthily in the new decade.   

Sale are the fastest growing club of the 21st century and the second fastest growing in percentage terms of the professional era . Last season Sale moved from Heywood Road to Stockley Park, where they ground-share with Stockport County FC. The move has certainly done them no harm, for crowds are 30% up on last season. Again it is noticeable that Jason Robinson on his return from the World Cup drew the crowds in. Note the difference in the crowds between the home games against Leeds and Rotherham. Could one man draw another five thousand in? You bet he could.

If we project their average growth thus far forward another five seasons, this is what we see.

Season  -  Attendance

With or without Robinson the future looks very bright indeed for Sale, particularly given the fact that they have achieved this growth without any great success on field.

The next article in this series will take us to the Causeway Stadium, as we look at Wasps.

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