Crowds at matches in the Coca-Cola Football League have broken the sixteen million barrier for the fourth consecutive season. In total, more than 16.2m supporters attended the 1,656 matches played during 2007/08.

And City fans have again once again shown their loyalty with average gates of 19,124 at the Ricoh Arena beating the Coca-Cola Championship average attendance of 17,022.  

The Coca-Cola Championship is now the 4th most watched League in Europe, with its total audience of 9.4m fans being bettered only by the Premiership, Germany`s Bundesliga and Spain`s La Liga. The League`s top division also featured 195 matches being watched by a crowd of more than 20,000 and six by more than 30,000.

The Football League has enjoyed a sustained period of attendance growth since the mid-eighties with crowds more than doubling in that time. In recent seasons gates have reached their highest levels for nearly 50 years.

It was also another good season for The League`s two showpiece Cup competitions. Crowds for matches in the Carling Cup and Johnstone`s Paint Trophy rose by 21.2% and 13.7% respectively.

In welcoming these figures Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said:

"These are another set of impressive figures. I would like to offer my appreciation to everybody that has gone to watch League football this season. Our competitions thrive on the passion and loyalty that fans give to their clubs.

"I would also like to congratulate League clubs on the efforts they have made to fill their grounds. On the pitch, they have provided another season of exciting, competitive football. Off the pitch, innovative community programmes have enabled clubs to engage better with people living locally.

"It is particularly encouraging that more families and young supporters are attending our matches. Through The League`s 'Fans of the Future` initiative, our clubs are making a real effort to get the next generation of fans watching their local League clubs.

"In its first three seasons 'Fans of the Future` has enabled more than 750,000 youngsters to watch matches for free or at significantly reduced prices."

Coventry City will again be showing it's support for the League's 'Fans of the Future' initiative through the Junior Sky Blues membership scheme. Junior supporters can get massive discounts on match and season tickets by becoming a member for just £15. Members under 7 are entitled to a FREE season ticket*. 

*Membership must be purchased prior to season ticket. Only available to members under 7 on August 31, 2008. T+Cs apply.