By Chris Ashmore

Cash-strapped Finn Harps – like just about every other League of Ireland club – is facing a real battle just to survive in senior

soccer.

The club has witnessed a dramatic slump in attendances this season -and last week less than 300 people paid in to see the game against

Wexford Youths.

Over the past decade – when Harps have been going well – crowds of 2,000 – 3,000 have not been uncommon at Finn Park. For big games, against the likes of Derry, Sligo or a top Dublin side, you can add another 1,000 – 1,500.

But this season has been little short of a disaster in terms of gate receipts. The average crowd for a home game this season may end up being not much more than 500 – a figure not seen since the bad olddays of the late 80s.

The club, conscious of the need to try and boost attendances, is currently looking at a number of options. Family tickets and vouchers with reductions are on the menu.

But these will only have a limited impact. The club needs to get crowds back into four figures, and a radical overview of matters is needed.

Interestingly, a poll on why the crowds are so poor, has been put up on a Harps fans’ forum website. It asked people why do they think attendances at Finn Park are so low? Respondents were asked to choose from the following:

* €15 is too dear in “the current Climate” (31%)

* Most people are only interested if we are challenging for promotion (24%)

* After last year’s disaster people are still fed up with Harps (31%)

* The First Division does not provide attractive games (6%)

* People are not patient enough to watch a young squad develop (3%)

* I am busy reading about David Beckhams new hair in Hello Magazine     (3%)

While the poll sample was small, it nevertheless shows some clear trends. The fact is that smaller crowds are due to a number of things, as reflected by the top three answers. On a positive note, few people discounted the suggestion that the First Division does not provide attractive games.

A review committee is currently working away behind the scenes on plans to re-invigorate the club. Certainly admission charges should be looked at.