How Bristol Rovers 8,570 crowd versus Shrewsbury compared to Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, and others

Bristol Rovers’ home attendance was back up as they welcomed an increased crowd to their 1-1 draw against Shrewsbury Town.

Earlier in the week, restrictions on crowd numbers were lifted by the Safety Advisory Group which meant more fans could start attending games at the Memorial Stadium again.

For the first time in a long while, tickets were able to be bought on the day of the match for fans that had yet to decide what they’d be doing on the Bank Holiday weekend.

A total of 8,570 fans, including 400 from Shropshire witnessed a 1-1 draw at the Mem with Ryan Bowman’s strike cancelling out Ryan Loft’s opener.

That return was higher than the 8,297 that took in the 1-0 win over Oxford United on August 13, but a few off the 9,064 which witnessed the opening day defeat to Forest Green Rovers.

It means a total of 25,931 fans have come through the turnstiles in the opening three games, making for an average of 8643, which is higher than what they had in League Two which was 7,408.

The club already boasts over 5,000 season ticket holders so strong away followings and big walk-up crowds should see a higher average than what was recorded in the fourth tier.

It is a whole different ball game in League One however when it comes to comparing attendances to other teams, with a host of former Premier League clubs in the division.

Rovers’ crowd of over 8,000 spectators was in the middle of the 12 teams that were at home this weekend with Derby County boasting the highest attendance and Accrington Stanley the lowest.

The Rams hosted 26,414 fans at Pride Park and witnessed the 2-1 win over Peterborough United, who were also relegated from the Championship last season. At the other end of the table, only 2,170 fans saw the goalless draw between Accrington and newly promoted Exeter City.

Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and tonight’s EFL Trophy opponents Plymouth Argyle were the other teams that had five figure attendances, which was made more impressive by the away followings not reaching four figures.

League One home crowds - Saturday, August 28

Derby County - 26,414, away: 1,800

Ipswich Town - 25,001, away: 613

Sheffield Wednesday - 22,300, away: 200

Plymouth Argyle - 14,631, away: 764

Port Vale - 8,878, away: 1,680

Bristol Rovers - 8,570, away: 400

Lincoln City - 7,522, away: 128

Wycombe Wanderers - 6,138, away: 1,638

Cambridge United - 5,130, away: 158

Cheltenham Town - 4,554, away: 1,209

Morecambe - 3,995, away: 279

Accrington Stanley - 2,170, away: 306