The bottom line: Wasps make money for Wanderers (From Bucks Free Press)

Gates over 4,000 means cash for Blues

9:20am Friday 16th November 2012 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

WANDERERS co-chairman Don Woodward says Blues make money from Wasps playing at Adams Park, as long as the rugby club’s attendances don’t dip below 4,000.

Wasps have confirmed that they will stay in Wycombe for at least another two or three years, although their future after that is uncertain.

However, it appears that it would serve Blues’ cause for them to remain in the town – particularly if their fortunes continue to improve under Dai Young.

Woodward said: “If they have 4,000 [at home games] then it makes it worthwhile for us.

“If they play well and bring lots of people along, then it’s got to be worthwhile for them to stay.”

With season ticket holders not always taking their seats, it’s impossible to know exactly what their gates are, but Wasps’ average home crowd this season is officially 5,249.

That comes from fixtures against London Irish, Worcester, Newport and London Welsh – not exactly the glamour games of the season.

Last season their official average was 6,028 from 16 games, ten of which they lost.

It’s fair to assume that if they improve that record and go some way to re-establishing themselves as a force in the English rugby – and signs are encouraging – gates at Adams Park will improve proportionally.

In their last silverware-winning season, 2007/08, their average attendance in Wycombe was 9,212, including four sell-outs.

Meanwhile, Wanderers’ home crowd of 3,020 against Rochdale last Saturday was their lowest for a weekend League fixture since the club was promoted to the Football League in 1993.

Woodward says that does not set the alarm bells ringing though, and insists there are valid reasons for the low crowd.