West Ham's crowd for last night's Carling Cup tie with Macclesfield was the lowest seen at the Boleyn Ground this century.
The official crowd figure was 10,055 - the lowest attendance figure since the ground was redeveloped - although many inside the ground felt that it was even lower.That figure beat the 11,111 crowd which saw the 2004 Carling Cup tie against Notts County and the 2003 Carling Cup tie against Rushden & Diamonds (13,715).
The last time United had a smaller attandance than last night's was back in 1999 for the Intertoto Cup tie against Heerenveen, which was watched by just 7,485 (although that fixture took place in the middle of the summer whilst many fans were on their holidays).
However you have to go back 16 years to September 1992 to find a lower gate for a League/Carling Cup tie - that match being against Crewe Alexandra.
A number of factors have been blamed for last night's record low attendance including the high pricing of tickets, poor recent form and general apathy amongst supporters disappointed with the club's failure to strengthen in the summer transfer window.
We can see you sneaking in: lowest attendences in the last 20 years
(competitive matches only)
1. 02/09/92: Bristol Rovers - 4,809 (Anglo Italian Cup)
2. 29/11/89: Plymouth Argyle - 5,409 (Full Members Cup)
3. 24/11/92: Reggiana - 6,872 (Anglo Italian Cup)
4. 23/09/92: Crewe Alexandra - 6,981 (League Cup)
5. 16/12/92: Pisa - 7,123 (Anglo Italian Cup)
6. 28/07/99: Heerenveen - 7,485 (Intertoto Cup)
7. 22/10/91: Cambridge United - 7,812 (Full Members Cup)
8. 26/11/91: Brighton & Hove Albion - 8,146 (Full Members Cup)
9. 28/08/08: Macclesfield Town - 10,055 (Carling Cup)
10. 17/07/99: FC Jokerit - 11,098 (Intertoto Cup)
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