SO what do Manchester United, Derby County, Leeds United and Lowestoft Town have in common?Not a lot?Don't you believe it.Because the Trawlerboys from north Suffolk are the best-supported club at Step Five in the English football pyramid, with a current average attendance of 606.

Mike Bacon

SO what do Manchester United, Derby County, Leeds United and Lowestoft Town have in common?

Not a lot?

Don't you believe it.

Because the Trawlerboys from north Suffolk are the best-supported club at Step Five in the English football pyramid, with a current average attendance of 606.

It's quite a coup for Ade Gallagher and Mick Chapman's side, but not surprising, as Lowestoft have enjoyed solid support for many years. Indeed last month saw two attendances of 842 against Harefield in the FA Vase and a stunning 1,523 against local rival Kirkley & Pakefield on December 27.

The Lowestoft fans turned out in their numbers at Wembley Stadium for the FA Vase final last year, where they lost 2-1 to Kirkham & Wesham. Indeed in a Wembley crowd of 19,500, more than 13,000 were supporting the north Suffolk side.

Attendances in general in the Eastern Counties League have continued to rise over the years and much of that has to go down to the professionalism in which clubs at this level are being run both away from, and on, the pitch.

One only has to take a look at Histon, AFC Sudbury, Bury Town, Soham and Maldon Town, among others.

All of them are previous Eastern Counties League clubs, now making their way up the non-league pyramid.

Lowestoft are among pretty good company in the list alongside, and it is especially interesting to see the likes of FC United of Manchester and AFC Wimbledon still bringing the fans in.

Both clubs of course products of disgruntled fans who supported the professional clubs of Manchester United and Wimbledon.

Attendance statistics for the top

club at each level of English football

As at Jan 1, 2009

Level Team Ave attendance

Prem Man United 75,410

Champ Derby County 28,725

Lge 1 Leeds United 24,178

Lge 2 Bradford City 12,747

Step 1 Oxford United 4,353

Step 2 AFC Wimbledon 2,910

Step 3 FC Utd of Man 2,022

Step 4 FC Halifax Town 1,200

Step 5 Lowestoft Town 606

Step 6 Scarborough Ath 444

Step 7 Penzance 196

Stats: www.tonykempster.co.uk