Username
Password
In a Class of Their Own - But for how Long?
By BrianC May 31 2004
Here we look at the Kings of English club rugby, Leicester. Are they close to losing their crown? There are pretenders challenging for the title.
Leicester

Leicester

In a Class of Their Own - But not for Long?

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

Season Average Att. Position(Out of) Weighted Position Final ZP Position Percentage Growth
97-98 12859 1st(10) 1st 4th(12)  
98-99 12170 1st(10) 1st 1st(14) -5.4%
99-00 12691 1st(10) 1st 1st(12) 4.3%
00-01 12090 1st(11) 1st 1st(12) -4.7%
01-02 14500 1st(11) 1st 1st(12) 19.9%
02-03 15676 1st(11) 1st 6th(12) 8.1%
03-04 16120 1st(12) 1st 5th(12) 2.8%
         
Variation '97 - '04 (1997/8=100%) 125% 8th(12)      
Crowd Growth Absolute 3262 3rd(12)      
Average Growth 4.2% 9th(12)      

2003/4 Season

15-May-04 WC  Leicester vs Harlequins 43 - 26 Welford Road 12004
1-May-04 ZP  Leicester vs Rotherham 75 -13 Welford Road 16815
16-Apr-04 ZP  Leicester vs Saracens 38 - 10 Welford Road 16815
19-Mar-04 ZP  Leicester vs Harlequins 30 - 21 Welford Road 16815
3-Jan-04  ZP  Leicester vs Gloucester  18 - 28  Welford Road 16815
27-Dec-03  ZP  Leicester vs Leeds Tykes  39 - 11  Welford Road 16815
29-Nov-03  ZP  Leicester vs Bath  12 - 13  Welford Road 16815
8-Nov-03  ZP  Leicester vs Wasps  32 - 22  Welford Road 15384
25-Oct-03  ZP  Leicester vs Northampton  15 - 32  Welford Road 16815
4-Oct-03  ZP  Leicester vs Sale  16 - 22  Welford Road 15507
26-Sep-03  ZP  Leicester vs Newcastle  28 - 21  Welford Road 16815
13-Sep-03  ZP  Leicester vs London Irish  29 - 19  Welford Road 16029

Leicester are the undoubted Kings of English club rugby in the professional era. They probably vie with Toulouse for the title of the wealthiest club in Europe. They own their Welford Road ground and have steadily developed it over the years. The resources they have to hand off the field have been put to good use on it. In the professional era they have won many domestic trophies and two European cups.

In playing terms the 2003/4 season has been a poor one for Leicester. They came only 5th in the league, narrowly scraping a place in next years Heineken Cup and were kicked out of the Heineken Cup itself at the pool stages. The poor on-field performance made no difference whatsoever to their attendances. During the season they reported no fewer than eight of their twelve home games as capacity crowds.

Leicester have plans in hand to expand Welford Road still further. They have the money to do it, and a local council who, subject to all the usual planning rigmarole, are generally constructive and keen to see the club remain in the city. Development over the years could see the capacity of Welford road brought up to 30k. Leicester are a progressive and wealthy club. With a fair wind, and if they continue to show the initiative of past years, they look set to be at the forefront of English and European club rugby for many years to come.

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

Season  -  Attendance

04/05 16794
05/06 17495
06/07 18226
07/08 18988
08/09 19781

There is only one fly in the ointment as far as Leicester are concerned. If growth patterns continue as they have for the last seven years they will be outstripped before long by London Irish.  

The next article in this series will take us back to the West Country, as we look at the  club with the most acute  capacity problems in the country, Bath.

Bookmark or share this story with: