Commission targeting increase in attendances to 250,000 by 2006/07

Much has been said and written during the past months about the ailing state of our football. Several discussions were aired on TV programmes as a host of critics published contributions suggesting new ideas to boost Malta's favourite sport.

The Malta FA took an active role in this campaign and commissioned a survey with MISCO to get a better insight on the game in Malta. The survey, with a sample of 800 people interviewed, was held last summer. Results were ready by October and a three-man commission was appointed by the MFA to study the findings and present their recommendations.

Yesterday the commission, composed of Victor Zammit, the chairman, Alex Manfre and Antoine Attard, discussed the survey with the media in a meeting at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali.

Zammit, the Birkirkara FC president, said the situation had reached an alarming situation. Those involved in the game, he said, now had the responsibility to work together to restore the game's image.

"Football here has hit a very low point and something must be done quickly to avoid further damage," he warned. "Last season's gate of 107,755 was the worst ever in a decade... a clear indication that the interest in Malta's top sport is constantly waning."

Zammit contended that the lack of attendances could stem from the fact that more than half of those interviewed believe that football matches are not of a high level and prefer staying at home and watch foreign leagues.

The MISCO study shows that around 200,000 people are interested in local football. However, the findings also revealed that 90,000 have never attended a football match, an alarming figure indeed.

Zammit added that the 'corruption' tag, persistently labelled to our football, was another key factor in keeping fans away from the stadium as many also believed that ticket prices are too high for the quality of entertainment offered.

The main goal of the commission was to inject new life in our football and try to attract more people to the stands. Zammit said they have set themselves the ambitious task of increasing the average attendances in all competitions to 250,000 by season 2006-07.

To reach that goal, he said, the quality of football provided has to improve significantly. One solution could be to adopt changes to the Premier League competition.

The study has shown that 30 per cent would favour a change in format with over 70 per cent of them suggesting the abolition of the Championship and Relegation Pool. Sixteen per cent said the championship should be reduced to eight teams.

Another way of attracting more interest was to establish football as an ideal family game and outing.

Zammit suggested that the Millennium Stand is restructured as a place families can visit during Premier League weekends with the creation of leisure rooms and more facilities for children.

Restoring the game's credibility was another meaningful target. At present, there is a strong perception that the game is inundated with bribery. Clubs have to look to build their structure on more solid foundations.

"Mismanagement is putting clubs in severe financial straits," Zammit said.

Sponsorship was very difficult to secure for local clubs and therefore more viable marketing initiatives should be taken.

"We have a very tough job ahead of us," Zammit said. "Only through proper planning we could achieve our objective. We have to start today before it is too late. If the right decisions are taken the future could be much better."

The Malta FA recently commissioned a survey with MISCO to obtain an insight on the game of football in Malta. The research focused on: (i) Family, leisure, activities; (ii) Non-attendance; (iii) Likes and dislikes about Maltese football; and (iv) Increasing the level of interest in the game.

The fieldwork was conducted in August 2003 and covered 40 areas in Malta and Gozo. The report was submitted to the Malta FA in October.

In its conclusions MISCO says attracting more people/families to football clubs could possibly be a first step to get more people interested. Football is still perceived as male-dominated and special attention should be given to this problem. Something should also be done to address the problem of 'alleged' corruption. Finally, the Malta FA should consider a marketing campaign focusing on the accessibility to football grounds to everyone.

Interest in football

52% of the Maltese are interested in local football. Of these, 65% were males and 35% females.

Age-breakdown
14-17 years 69%
18-24 years 55%
25-34 years 55%
35-44 years 42%
45-54 years 57%
55 years and over 47%
56% of respondents interested in football attended a football match. Survey shows 90,000 never attended a football match.

Interest in sports

Percentages of those interviewed.
Football 52%
Swimming 35%
Athletics 26%
Waterpolo 20%
Basketball 19%
Bowling 12%
Hockey 5%
None 27%

Reasons for non-attendance
Prefer to watch football on TV 21%
Ground is not safe 11%
Prefer foreign football 10%
Time availability 9%
Too much swearing 9%
Not interested in local football 9%

Perceptions

Reasons why few people watch local football:
Level is not high 44%
Corruption of players 17%
Entrance fee expensive 12%
Prefer to watch football on TV 11%

Favourite football team
83% of respondents have a favourite team. The following are the percentages:
Valletta 25%
Birkirkara 14%
Sliema Wanderers 13%
Floriana 11%
Hamrun Spartans 9%
Hibernians 7%

Premier League Format
65% agree with present format but 28% would change it as follows:
Eliminating Relegation Pool 38%
Eliminating Championship Pool 32%
Decrease by two teams 16%
Having two rounds 9%

Gates (1992-93 to 2002-03)

Last season's gate (various stadia for all competitions including the national team) was the worst ever of this decade - 107,755. The highest season's gate was that of 1997-98 with a total of 163,484 - a drop of 34% from last season's gate.

Premier clubs and national team attracted 86,784 out of last season's gate (107,755) - 80.5% of the grand total of spectators.

1992-93 151,850
1993-94 139,767
1994-95 160,562
1995-96 161,296
1996-97 137,986
1997-98 163,484
1998-99 133,691
1999-00 136,055
2000-01 148,217
2001-02 132,094
2002-03 107,755