The Bees' average gate fell 16 per cent after 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium opened in 2006 and this season's figures show no sign of recovery. A Barnet source said: "The impact of their ground is one theory that's been advanced."
The League Two club have traditionally benefited from the secondary support of Arsenal and Tottenham fans and are now offering discounted two-year season-tickets in a bid to address a slide which sees their average gate hovering around the 2,100 mark.
Cold-blooded star
England manager Fabio Capello was spotted at Emirates Stadium on Sunday emerging from a lift with 7ft tall Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus Rex.
Details of the conversation are sketchy but stats on the club's website reveal that Gunnersaurus — born in Highbury sixteen years ago — is one the few heroes in an Arsenal shirt actually eligible for Capello's squad.
Charlton made of write' stuff
Charlton's players may have flopped on the pitch, but standards remain high off it. In a survey by website contacttheplayers.com Premier League and Championship clubs were sent fanmail letters and ranked according to the speed and effort of their replies. Charlton came top in the Championship after Jonjo Shelvey sent a handwritten note to a nine-year-old fan which included advice on becoming a footballer and a signed photo.
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