How Derby County’s average attendance this season compares to recent seasons

Derby County supporters have endured a torrid season off the pitch with their turmoil severely disrupting matters on the field too.

Entering administration back in September, the Rams were given a mountain to climb in their quest to remain afloat in the Championship following a summer that was heavily impacted by their strict transfer embargo.

These restrictions meant they were only able to recruit five senior players during the summer, not a terrible total on paper but it certainly wasn’t an adequate number considering how many players left Pride Park in the summer.

And their attempts to stay up were hit by what now appears to have been the fatal blow in November when a further nine-point sanction was implemented for a historic breath of the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules.

This has understandably left the Rams’ fanbase demoralised at times with a takeover still not being completed at this stage despite US businessman Chris Kirchner being selected by the club’s administrators as their preferred bidder earlier this month.

One thing that certainly can’t be criticised is the East Midlands outfit’s support this term, with many still remaining extremely loyal to the cause despite the turmoil and the supporters have been rightfully praised by manager Wayne Rooney and his players on a consistent basis throughout the 2021/22 campaign.

In fairness, the players have repaid that support with some brave performances on the pitch for much of this season, especially at home, so perhaps that’s one reason why administration hasn’t seen a huge dip in their average attendance numbers this season, managing to lure in 21,324 on average during 2021/22 compared to 22,079 during 2019/20 when fans were allowed in the stadium.

That