Suffolk clubs eye Ipswich boost

Last updated : 23 March 2011 By BBC Sport

And Ryman Premier sides Lowestoft and Bury Town hope to receive a boost to their already rising gates.

"For the last two or three seasons we've had very good support, it's gone up by 20% every year," Bury boss Richard Wilkins told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"500 or 600 is what we are averaging. When Ipswich play at home there is a slight decrease in the crowd, when they're away we notice it."

In the 2004/05 campaign Ipswich attracted an average crowd of 25,651 - this season that figure is 19,041.

And with Ipswich season ticket prices rising for the first time in five years, Lowestoft chairman Gary Keyzor believes fans could be tempted by a cheaper experience at lower level football.

At Lowestoft it's cheaper, you get to mingle with players and the children love that

Lowestoft chairman Gary Keyzor

"If a family of four go from Lowestoft to watch Ipswich it's in excess of ?100 for food, travel and ticket," he explained.

"At Lowestoft it's cheaper, you get to mingle with players and the children love that.

"If Ipswich are doing well, then Ipswich fanatics will go there.

"But it's the same with Lowestoft, when we pick up a few good results the fans start to come back."

Lowestoft and Bury, who both occupy play-off spots in the Ryman Premier, have yet to release next term's season ticket prices.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport