Tranmere Rovers’ 1-0 win against Newport County in the League Two play-off final saw them join Lincoln City, Bury and MK Dons in League one. But who would get promoted in a league table based on club’s away support?
Ranking clubs support by away fans seemed appropriate as they follow the team across the country, through thick and thin, whatever the weather and regardless of the distance.
Average Away Attendance
Over the 23 away games of the season, the supporters that came out on top were the league champions – Lincoln City. The Red Imps averaged a staggering 1,396 fans each away day, 413 more than the Mansfield supporters, who came second with an average of 983
In at third place were the fans of newly promoted Tranmere Rovers, with an average of 850 each away game. Tranmere took around 14,000 away to Wembley for the play-off final, although this did not contribute to their average.
Oldham Athletic and Notts County fans came in at fourth and fifth respectively, despite their woeful season’s. The Latics’ averaged 733 away fans and finished mid table, and The Magpies – relegated from the football league – frequently brought away attendances of around 605.
Grimsby fans had the fifth best away following last season with 671 but dropped down to tenth this season with an average of 533.
Top Away Attendance
Lincoln City fans once again came out on top; they took 5,556 away to MK Dons on the 6th April as they looked to secure promotion. The support spurred the league leaders on to a 2-0 away win and the away fans made up 35% of the 15,851 attendance at the Stadium MK.
The ‘Moo Camp’ also hosted the second highest away attendance of the season. 5,227 Mansfield fans left disappointed as MK Dons’ won 1-0, earning The Dons automatic promotion and denying The Stags in the process.
Despite hosting such impressive away crowds, MK Dons’ best away attendance was 1,449 at Sixfields against rivals Northampton. In the reverse fixture, Northampton took 2,186 fans to Milton Keynes – the sixth highest away attendance in League Two.
Most Away Wins
Unsurprisingly Lincoln once again top the charts with 12 away wins from a possible 23, almost a 50%-win ratio on the road and one more win than they achieved at Sincil Bank!
Forest Green Rovers equalled Lincolns away record, treating their away fans to 12 wins on their travels. FGR’s away form aided them in their highest ever league finish as they came fifth in League Two.
At the other end of the scale Notts County and Crewe Alexandra’s away form was the joint worst in the league. The two teams managed just four away wins across the whole season.
Furthest Distance Travelled
A factor that impacts many away attendances is the distance fans must travel. Carlisle United unsurprisingly clocked up the most miles across the season, travelling a total of 5,025 miles. Credit to the Cumbrians as they still averaged 466 away fans, the 13th best in the league ahead of Crewe, a team who had the fourth shortest distance to travel over the season (2,642 miles).
The furthest fixture of the season was Carlisle vs Exeter, a 700-mile round trip. The two teams met on the opening day of the season at St James’ Park and 235 Cumbrians made the journey. 176 Grecians made the trip to Brunton Park on the reverse fixture, a tremendous effort from both sets of fans.
The team with the shortest distance to travel was Notts County. The centrally located East Midlands side only had 2,525 miles to travel throughout the year. The shorter distance may have played a part in their strong away following, but it certainly posed no advantage to the first team.
Bradley White Football 