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23rd January 2009

Durham crowd attendances up 23% in 2008

Yesterday the ECB announced that attendances at domestic cricket matches in 2008 rose by 23% from 2007, reaching a record 1.5million.  Overall, attendances at domestic and international matches rose by 10%, with 2,243,496 fans attending matches in 2008, the highest figure ever.

The LV County Championship has seen attendances top half a million for the first time since 2003 and records a 30% rise on the previous year.  Durham CCC took the title, on the final weekend of matches, as Sussex CCC had done in 2007.  Total attendance for the LV County Championship was 558,950.

The Twenty20 Cup also enjoyed record attendances and was the most watched competition, with over half a million people attending group, quarter-finals and Finals Day.  The expanded group match phase of the competition saw a 25% increase in the number of matches with the total audience for 2008 recorded as 593,717; a 36% rise.

Elsewhere, The NatWest Pro40 attendance recorded a rise of 4% from last year with The Friends Provident Trophy recording a 7% decline from 2007; however, the Trophy still records attendances in 2008 which double those of 2005 when the new format for the competition was introduced.

The ECB Chief Executive, David Collier, said “We are delighted to see the county game continue to grow across England and Wales.  Many counties have invested heavily in their facilities offering a vastly improved spectator experience which coupled with some thrilling cricket in 2008, ensures the fabric of our sport remains strong”.

The best value way to enjoy Durham’s 2009 season, as they defend their LV County Championship title, is to purchase membership, which gives you access to all home LV County Championship and group stage one day matches (excluding T20).  Members receive preferential rates for Twenty20 Cup group stage matches at Riverside as well as priority booking for international fixtures.  Members also receive a complimentary copy of the Durham CCC Yearbook and Member’s magazine, Riverside Review is posted directly to you twice a year.

Junior membership is less than £1.25 per day at just £50, senior membership starts at £150 while full adult membership is just £175.00 for the year.

If you can’t make it to all our matches tickets for individual matches go on sale on Monday 2 February.

Membership can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling the Box Office on 0844 499 4466.