Penybont’s huge attendance raises one big question after record-breaking home game

Penybont’s new director David Zeeman says the club’s biggest challenge now is turning a record-breaking crowd into a regular audience.

A total of 2,666 people watched Penybont come from behind to beat Airbus UK Broughton 2-1 at the Dragon Bet Stadium on Saturday, September 26.

The attendance was the fourth-highest in Cymru Premier history and the biggest crowd at a Welsh top-flight match for 22 years.

It was also more than double Penybont’s previous record league attendance at the stadium, with 1,235 supporters watching their match against Caernarfon Town in April 2025.

But with free entry helping to bring supporters through the turnstiles, Zeeman says the real measure of success will be how many return for the club’s next home fixture.

Penybont crowd more than doubles previous club record

Penybont offered free admission for the Airbus UK Broughton match, with businesses also providing pre-match entertainment as the club looked to create an event around the game.

The decision helped produce a remarkable attendance, while those inside the stadium were also treated to a comeback victory.

Airbus UK Broughton took the lead, but Penybont responded with goals from Ryan Hill and Ethan Cann to secure a 2-1 win.

The result means Penybont remain unbeaten this season and sit second in the Cymru Premier table, four points behind leaders The New Saints.

The crowd also lifted Penybont to third in the league’s average attendance table, with the club now averaging 954 supporters.

Only Caernarfon Town, on 1,266, and Colwyn Bay, on 1,221, currently have higher average attendances.

‘The number we’re really interested in now is not 2,666’

Zeeman, who was unable to attend the match because he was in Madrid, says Saturday’s attendance was a major achievement but believes the club now has to find a way of encouraging those supporters to return.

“This, of course, is a problem. We obviously can’t make every game free,” he said in a video posted on his personal Instagram page.

“So the number we’re really interested in now is not really 2,666. It’s now how many of them actually come back.”

Zeeman praised everyone involved in making the event happen, including Ryan, the staff and the club’s volunteers.

“Saturday took a huge amount of work and effort. Loads was put in around the football club, and obviously full credit to Ryan (Paisey), the staff and the volunteers who put in hours to actually make the whole thing happen,” he said.

“Annoyingly, I missed all of it as I was in Madrid. I basically experienced the entire day through photos, videos, messages and everyone at the ground.”

Next home game will provide an important test

Penybont’s next home match is against Barry Town United on October 9, when the club will get its first indication of how many of the new faces from Saturday are prepared to come back.

The Cymru Premier has moved towards a predominantly Friday night schedule this season, while the Airbus fixture was played on a Saturday.

The match also fell during the international break, meaning there were no clashes with home fixtures involving Cardiff City or Swansea City.

Newport County did play at home in League Two on Saturday, drawing a crowd of 4,973.

Those circumstances make Penybont’s next attendance particularly interesting, with the Barry Town match set to provide a different test for the club.

‘Getting them there to come back is obviously the real win’

Zeeman says the club now wants to understand what attracted people to the stadium and what can be done to encourage them to return.

“But what we have proved now is that we can get people through the gates,” he said.

“The challenge is obviously turning a brilliant one-off day into something that actually lasts.

“How many people came for the first time? What did they enjoy? What didn’t work? And most importantly, what can we do to make them come back?

“Because getting all those people there once is incredible, getting them there to come back is obviously the real win and what’s important.”

He has also called on supporters to share their experiences of Saturday’s event.

“So if Saturday was your first Penybont game, let us know what you think was good or bad. If you’re a regular, let us know what you enjoyed. Any feedback is fantastic.”