I heard on 'TalkSPORT' that the Championship is officially the 4th best league in the WORLD as regards quality, attendances etc.
I'm not an officiado, but I instantly thought they'd got it wrong... have they?

I do believe that it's true.

1. Premiership
2. Italian League
3. Spanish League (or switched with the Italian league, I'm not sure.
4. Championship

When you think how massive football is in England compared to other countries, it's not that surprising.

Sounds likely for attendances. The Japanese league will, I imagine, have a higher average attendance, but it's only 8 teams or something - there's no way the aggregate attendance could possibly be all that high.

Not sure how you'd judge quality. About the only way to make a comparative judgment on different leagues is to see how well their teams do in European competition - and pretty much by definition, Championship sides do not get in, occasional Cup wins aside.

Believe it or not, the Championship has higher average attendances than Serie A.

Juventus, one of the giants of European football, have had an average attendance of under 22,000 for some years, including their title winning seasons.

It seems incredible that WBA, Sheffield United and Norwich have higher attendances than the recent Serie A champions...

Believe it or not, the Championship has higher average attendances than Serie A.

Juventus, one of the giants of European football, have had an average attendance of under 22,000 for some years, including their title winning seasons.

It seems incredible that WBA, Sheffield United and Norwich have higher attendances than the recent Serie A champions...

That's a poor example to use, though, since there's a major reason for that. Juventus, traditionally, were owned by Fiat, who traditionally employed about 90% of the workers of Turin. Nobody wanted to support the team that was owned by the boss. :D

They have always had a far bigger following everywhere else in Italy than they do in their own city.

igm1 .... you've just had a pop at me on another thread, then I see your post on here.... have you been drinking in the student bar again?

igm1 .... you've just had a pop at me on another thread, then I see your post on here.... have you been drinking in the student bar again?

I wasn't having a 'pop' at you personally! I simply disagreed with something that you posted. It's nothing personal- especially as you've just highlighted that you're a fellow Owl.

Yes shockingly I have been drinking at the student bar, not today though. That's for later ;)

igm... On one thread you asked if I'd been drinking for welcoming Donny to the 'best league in the world' (you said it was terrible or summat)..then on the other thread, you 'agreed' with what I heard on TalkSPORT. Just seemed like two different views from the same person in the space of 2 minutes, that's all! Come on man, make your mind up... is it or int tit?;)

Love yer really! UTO

igm... On one thread you asked if I'd been drinking for welcoming Donny to the 'best league in the world' (you said it was terrible or summat)..then on the other thread, you 'agreed' with what I heard on TalkSPORT. Just seemed like two different views from the same person in the space of 2 minutes, that's all! Come on man, make your mind up... is it or int tit?;)

I don't know why I'm wasting my afternoon with this, but seen as exams are over.

Yes, we can't predict the winners/playoff hopefuls or relegation candidates- but does that necessarily make the league entertaining?

If you're refering to that then I think you'll find that I'm disagreeing with you!

igm .... I'm not arguing with you, don't be so hasty!
How did the exams go? What are you studying?
I think the Championship was a brilliant league last season, ups, downs, derby 4 points, WBA 1 Leicester 4, Hull coming from nowhere, Wed finishing 16th after looking in real doodoo .... just brilliant ! Last year, I'd say, by far, the best league in the world!

I was merely stating that a team with international renown has attendances on a par with Championship sides. There were more people watching Wigan v Newcastle than the Turin derby!

Lazio have a 65,000 capacity stadium but only averaged 24,000 last season. Then there are the sides such as Ascoli, Chievo, Livorno, Siena and Empoli, who averaged under 10,000 for the season.

It's a bizarre state of affairs when one of the worlds most succesfull clubs, AC Milan, plays most of its home games to a half empty stadium!

igm1 ....

Quote:
Yes, we can't predict the winners/playoff hopefuls or relegation candidates- but does that necessarily make the league entertaining?

I think the league as a whole has been superbly entertaining, and, as in the Prem, La Liga, etc, lots of games will have been sh**e. I think if we look back on postings during last season, that the topsy turviness of it all kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Remember, on the last day, 16 teams had something to play for! I don't think any other league in the world could boast that much intensity.
Last year... best in the world.:);)

I think the league as a whole has been superbly entertaining, and, as in the Prem, La Liga, etc, lots of games will have been sh**e. I think if we look back on postings during last season, that the topsy turviness of it all kept everyone on the edge of their seats.


It really depends what you count as entertainment. Nobody could deny that this year's Championship was suspenseful; those who like suspense will have found it more entertaining than ever before. Those who like to watch skilful football, probably won't.

[QUOTE=Heyesey;3603969]It really depends what you count as entertainment. Nobody could deny that this year's Championship was suspenseful; those who like suspense will have found it more entertaining than ever before. Those who like to watch skilful football, probably won't.

Spot on Heyes!
The best entertainment last year WAS in the suspense and the reactions posted on here... most of the football was dire!

I was merely stating that a team with international renown has attendances on a par with Championship sides. There were more people watching Wigan v Newcastle than the Turin derby!

Lazio have a 65,000 capacity stadium but only averaged 24,000 last season. Then there are the sides such as Ascoli, Chievo, Livorno, Siena and Empoli, who averaged under 10,000 for the season.

It's a bizarre state of affairs when one of the worlds most succesfull clubs, AC Milan, plays most of its home games to a half empty stadium!Especially when you consider how cheap it is to watch european football http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series11/week4_football_ripoff.shtml

That's a poor example to use, though, since there's a major reason for that. Juventus, traditionally, were owned by Fiat, who traditionally employed about 90% of the workers of Turin. Nobody wanted to support the team that was owned by the boss. :D

They have always had a far bigger following everywhere else in Italy than they do in their own city.
That argument does not hold water that may be a reason for part of the attendance figures, look at Man United more supporters out of the city than in it. The other difference is that British fans travel look at the Rangers fans in Manchester, plus watching Italian football is like watching
paint dry hence the lack of supporters.