The Tigers are rightly proud of that level of support, while the supporters’ loyalty and commitment to the cause is inspiring.
Just being part of a club that has that kind of pulling power is one of the things The Tig loves about Tigers. You’re never far from a Tigers fan wherever you may wander in the world of rugby, and all routes point in the direction of Welford Road when it comes to matchday. The club attracts support from a wide area and The Tig personally knows large numbers of converts who have worked or been eduated locally and settled here to claim Tigers as their team, or who have gone to a match once and been hooked for life.
Tigers report season ticket numbers of more than 14,000 this season. That is a figure higher than any other Premiership rival’s average home attendance.
Now we can boast numbers for next season which most clubs would give their right arm to have through the door if they were kicking off at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
Support is not a passing fancy; Lord knows we all make choices these days with the economic climate, work and family commitments, changes to kick-off times, maybe living away from the immediate area, and everything else that goes with modern living.
But the numbers do not lie.
Having 10,000 supporters already booking their places for next season is the equivalent of every seat in the Caterpillar Stand full right this minute for home games up to and including May 2014. That is a phenomenal reflection of the club and also on the quality of the people it attracts.
