Chippa United matches played in East London have so far averaged some 3000 more spectators compared with crowds attending games in Port Elizabeth.
These figures were revealed by the Buffalo City Metro, which owns the stadium in East London, and Access Management, which controls the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The support from East London soccer fans has not gone unnoticed by the Chilli Boys, the Premier Soccer League, the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac) in the province and local businesses.
According to BCM, 16000 people attended the Ajax match in East London while 14000 turned up for the Cosmos encounter.
Figures revealed by Access Management reveal that of the five previous matches played in Port Elizabeth, only the Bloemfontein Celtic clash last December came close to matching those attendance figures at 13887.
The Chippa versus Sundowns showdown in the city – thought to be a major drawcard – pulled just over 10126 people. This was way below the crowd that turned up in East London for the Jomo Cosmos encounter last weekend which saw 14000 spectators in attendance.
PSL acting chief executive Mato Madlala lauded the positive crowd turnout in Buffalo City, saying it was a major boost to the league and the game of football in general.
“It pleases us as the PSL to see positive crowd attendance such as that ,” said Madlala who is also owner of Golden Arrows.
Madlala said the East London crowds had dismissed the notion that it was only the big teams that were drawcards, something which had existed for years in South Africa.
Although it was every PSL club’s choice to elect where to play their home matches, she added, Chippa’s move to play some of their home matches in a different city proved to be a success and should be a challenge to the other clubs to consider spreading their matches too.
The crowds attending East London matches in big numbers were also bringing about positive spin-offs to the local economy – in both the informal and formal business sector said executive director of the Border Kei Chamber of Business Les Holbrook.
The informal traders, who sell items such as cool drinks and hot dogs in and around the stadium during matches were making a killing, said Holbrook. He said the hospitality industry had also received a boost with some spectators coming from as far as Mthatha.
DSRAC spokesman Andile Nduna said: “We are more than happy with the turn-out of soccer lovers supporting their team of choice.
“This is good for sport tourism in the province.” He went on to say East London was “an opportunity for both Chippa and the PSL to reach extensively to soccer lovers”.
Chippa spokesman Luthando Zibeko said the Chilli Boys had support “everywhere” and added that “playing in East London has allowed people from as far as Lusikisiki to interact with the brand”. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
EL’s Chippa fans tops at turning up
These figures were revealed by the Buffalo City Metro, which owns the stadium in East London, and Access Management, which controls the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The support from East London soccer fans has not gone unnoticed by the Chilli Boys, the Premier Soccer League, the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac) in the province and local businesses.
According to BCM, 16000 people attended the Ajax match in East London while 14000 turned up for the Cosmos encounter.
Figures revealed by Access Management reveal that of the five previous matches played in Port Elizabeth, only the Bloemfontein Celtic clash last December came close to matching those attendance figures at 13887.
The Chippa versus Sundowns showdown in the city – thought to be a major drawcard – pulled just over 10126 people. This was way below the crowd that turned up in East London for the Jomo Cosmos encounter last weekend which saw 14000 spectators in attendance.
PSL acting chief executive Mato Madlala lauded the positive crowd turnout in Buffalo City, saying it was a major boost to the league and the game of football in general.
“It pleases us as the PSL to see positive crowd attendance such as that ,” said Madlala who is also owner of Golden Arrows.
Madlala said the East London crowds had dismissed the notion that it was only the big teams that were drawcards, something which had existed for years in South Africa.
Although it was every PSL club’s choice to elect where to play their home matches, she added, Chippa’s move to play some of their home matches in a different city proved to be a success and should be a challenge to the other clubs to consider spreading their matches too.
The crowds attending East London matches in big numbers were also bringing about positive spin-offs to the local economy – in both the informal and formal business sector said executive director of the Border Kei Chamber of Business Les Holbrook.
The informal traders, who sell items such as cool drinks and hot dogs in and around the stadium during matches were making a killing, said Holbrook. He said the hospitality industry had also received a boost with some spectators coming from as far as Mthatha.
DSRAC spokesman Andile Nduna said: “We are more than happy with the turn-out of soccer lovers supporting their team of choice.
“This is good for sport tourism in the province.” He went on to say East London was “an opportunity for both Chippa and the PSL to reach extensively to soccer lovers”.
Chippa spokesman Luthando Zibeko said the Chilli Boys had support “everywhere” and added that “playing in East London has allowed people from as far as Lusikisiki to interact with the brand”. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos