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Crowds at Coca-Cola Football League matches have risen by more than 3% during the first half of the 2009/10 season.
More than 8.6m fans have attended matches during the first five months of the league season at an average of 10,441 fans per match, compared to 10,101 at the same stage twelve months ago.
These encouraging figures were boosted by a December fixture programme that attracted the highest average crowd (11,411) for League matches since 1959/60 and the 19th highest of all time.
Football League crowds are currently at their highest levels for 50 years and have topped the 16 million mark in each of the last five seasons.
Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "It is very encouraging to see more and more supporters going through the turnstiles at Football League grounds.
"The dedication they have shown towards their clubs during a challenging economic period further underlines the strength of the domestic game."
The League's two showpiece cup competitions - the Carling Cup and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - have also witnessed growing popularity this season. In the Carling Cup, crowds have increased by more than 3% during the competition's 50th year, whilst the Johnstone's Paint Trophy has seen attendances rocket by a massive 37%.
League Two, however has seen a slight downturn in attendances since last season, dropping almost 8% on the previous year. 2009/10 Football League Attendance Figures (Aug-Dec)
(2008/09 figures (Aug-Dec) in brackets)
Coca-Cola Football League:
Total: 8,676217 (8,687,089)
Average: 10,441 (10,101)
% Change: +3.37%
Coca-Cola Championship:
Total: 5,090,140 (5,462,563)
Average: 18,114 (17,508)
% Change: +3.46%
Coca-Cola League 1:
Total: 2,549,308 (2,089,921)
Average: 9,105 (7,572)
% Change: +20.25%
Coca-Cola League 2:
Total: 1,036,769 (1,134,605)
Average: 3,840 (4,171)
% Change: -7.94%
Carling Cup
Total: 1,114,095 (1,078,058)
Average: 12,660 (12,251)
% Change: +3.34%
Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Total: 174,824 (128,034)
Average: 3,973 (2,910)
% Change: +36.53%
