Supporters
St Helens are one of the best supported teams in Super League, averaging 11,191 according to 2010 figures. Situated, prior to their recent move to Widnes, in Eccleston, a lot of support naturally derives from that area. Many strongholds of support also come from the Eastern side of the town; areas like Blackbrook, Haydock, and Parr. However, there exists considerable support towards Newton, Billinge and Ashton also. Their support is also not restricted to the town, with bases in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Northamptonshire, the South and North Wales. Known around the town also is "Geordie Saint" (Shaun Kelly), St Helens' most notable fan from Newcastle, who also has a column in the St Helens Star. The club also have their own supporters clubs, one for the club itself, and one for fans in the South, as well as the club forum; Red Vee. International, as well as national support is also strong with Saints. A recent survey showed fan bases in Australia, the United States, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the Middle East, Chile and Greece. The club also have something of a fan base forming in the Far East, with fans from Singapore and Japan.
Super League crowd averages
| Year | Average |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 10,221 |
| 1997 | 8,826 |
| 1998 | 7,081 |
| 1999 | 8,201 |
| 2000 | 8,880 |
| 2001 | 8,801 |
| 2002 | 9,928 |
| 2003 | 9,819 |
| 2004 | 9,507 |
| 2005 | 10,622 |
| 2006 | 10,721 |
| 2007 | 9,717 |
| 2008 | 10,642 |
| 2009 | 10,985 |
| 2010 | 11,191 |
Read more about this topic: St Helens RFC
Famous quotes containing the word supporters:
“No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition. It reduces their supporters to that tractable number which can be managed by the joint influences of fruition and hope. It offers vengeance to the discontented, and distinction to the ambitious; and employs the energies of aspiring spirits, who otherwise may prove traitors in a division or assassins in a debate.”
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881)
“The hydra of corruption is only scotched, not dead. An investigation kills and it and its supporters dead. Let this be had.”
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)
“His [O.J. Simpson’s] supporters lined the freeway to cheer him on Friday and commentators talked about his tragedy. Did those people see the photographs of the crime scene and the great blackening pools of blood seeping into the sidewalk? Did battered women watch all this on television and realize more vividly than ever before that their lives were cheap and their pain inconsequential?”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)