By Chris McLaughlin

Attendances at top-flight games have already fallen in recent years

The majority of Scottish football's 42 professional club chairmen have told BBC Scotland they fear the credit crunch will inevitably lead to a fall in attendances.

In an exclusive BBC survey, the moneymen have already raised fears about falling incomes and the need to slash players' wages.

Now they believe that empty pockets will lead to empty seats across the country.

Scottish football has witnessed a slow but definite decline in attendances recently.

Those going to watch the game across all four leagues has dipped 5% since 2005, but that percentage is expected to fall sharply as the realities of the downturn become apparent.

When asked if they feared that the crunch would lead to a drop in gates, 79% of the chairmen said yes. Most privately admit that it's a very real concern.

"Anyone who thinks that clubs won't be affected by this is kidding themselves," said a First Division chairman.

"Fans are going to be faced with some hard choices in the next few years - we have to convince them that they will continue to get value for money," he added.

Anyone who thinks that clubs won't be affected by this is kidding themselves A First Division chairman

There could be a twist in the tale though.

With clubs feeling the need to work harder to retain fan bases, commercial departments are becoming ever more inventive and competitive with pricing structures and packages.

One club is even offering fans the chance to pay up part of their season ticket next year using their old mobile phone.

Children in particular should benefit though, as clubs look to build their fan-base for the future.

Some chairmen have admitted they're looking at schemes where kids can go to matches free. Others have already tried it with varying degrees of success.

"Going for the younger market is a smart move," said David Glen of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"Clubs know they have to become more appealing to a younger audience and if you are going to push new appetising packages, then why not look to the future."

There are those who believe that the crunch might even boost their crowds.

"When you look at what the SPL clubs are charging then there's definitely an opportunity for us," said one Division Three chairman.

"We should be able to convince some of the guys who now can't afford to travel to watch Celtic or Rangers to stay local and pay less."

Chris McLaughlin's series on the state of Scottish Football finances concludes on Thursday 19 March, 2009.

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