By BrianC
July 24 2006

When records started in 97/98 Sale were the lowest supported of all the clubs surveyed. A lull in the late nineties saw gates fall even further. At the turn of the decade their average gate was a mere 2.8k.

How things have changed. Five consecutive years of growth well into double figures has seen gates more than treble in that period. They now sit firmly with the pack, seventh out the twelve teams last season, with an average gate of 9.5k. The success off field has mirrored that on. They comfortably topped the Premiership table and won the championship to boot.

No doubt luck has played a part in this growth. The signing of a certain Jason Robinson from rugby league and his transformation into probably the second most bankable England star after Johnny Wilkinson certainly helped boost crowds. The enforced move from Heywood Road to Edgeley Park also did no harm.

In one way they now look likely to become victims of their own success. Last season five of their eleven home games were played in front of capacity crowds (10.6k). Next season they will probably play to even more packed houses. They look to be in danger of outgrowing Edgeley park.

Such sustained growth however has to be down to more than just the luck outlined above. Whilst Jason Robinson's career may be on the wane there are a set of new stars emerging. Things strike me as being very right both on and off field at Sale. The question is what? Answers on a postcard please!