Ian Watson on Huddersfield Giants’ crowd number issue ahead of Hull FC fixture

Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson has fought back against calls that the club is struggling with small attendances.

Just 4,500 people turned up for Huddersfield’s clash against the Warrington Wolves last weekend despite the Giants’ superb 2022 season in which they sit in the top four of Super League.

However, Huddersfield head coach Watson believes that what is organised for game day is as good as he is seen and that the atmosphere at the John Smith’s Stadium is terrific.

“One real big positive is the game day experience and that has been outstanding,” Watson said. “Going to Huddersfield has attracted more people and its for. us to keep them coming with word of mouth.

“The club in the way they have set things out has been outstanding. After the second game at home, Luke Yates said the atmosphere was brilliant and miles better than it was last year and that’s the environment that the club has created in terms of the pre-match entertainment inside and outside and it needs to be built on.”

The Huddersfield head coach also believes opponents do not bring as many fans as they once did to the John Smith’s Stadium.

“We need to keep performing and more and more come in on the back of this. There has been an increase from last year. People say Huddersfield don’t take many away but a number of teams aren’t bringing as many as they would have done a few years ago.

“We’ve got a really good run of games now at home where supporters can see what we are about.”

Huddersfield take on Hull FC tomorrow night with the Black and Whites well known for bringing a massive conglomerate of supporters wherever they travel to – as epitomised by the huge travelling support taken to the Stade Ernest Wallon for Hull’s big win over Toulouse Olympique.