Since the return of spectators following the restrictions imposed by Covid 19, the Hi Hi’s have seen attendances increase remarkably at Millfield. The average Conference A home league attendance in their championship winning season was just over 250 and if you were to include cup attendances which included games against the likes of Deveronvale and Spartans, then that figure would be much higher. The club are delighted to see this upward trend in support continue in the harder environment of the EoS Premier Division. Musselburgh statistician Ryan Kelly keeps a note of all East of Scotland League and Lowland League attendances and he has just published the figures at the seasons half way point. The Hi Hi’s average league attendance is again just over 250 and this puts them second only to Linlithgow Rose in all four EoS leagues. Again if cup ties against Darvel and Tranent were included, then this figure would be nearer to 300. So the Millfield club are the best supported East Lothian club in the East of Scotland leagues and their average attendance is higher than eleven clubs in the Lowland League above.
Haddington manager Scott Bonar has made it one of his goals to improve attendances at Millfield and he is delighted with the response from the local community which thanks to the enthusiasm of Andrew Hunter, has also seen the return of supporters buses to Tweedmouth, Leith and Sauchie. Scott’s goal is now to break the 300 barrier! The club are delighted with the backing that they are receiving as they find their feet in what is a very competitive league. The return of the under 20 side this season and combined with the progress that is being made in the Youth Section augurs well for the future as the club strive to put a clear pathway to the first team in place. Just recently three players from coach Keith Rudyj’s 2006 side featured in the Under 20 squad who inflicted Syngenta’s first defeat of the season.
Tier 6 represents the highest level that the club have played at in their 83 year history and club officials and management are determined to follow the lead given by neighbours Tranent Juniors, who are pushing hard for the heady heights of the SPFL. The pyramid has opened up the way for ambitious clubs and in recent years the likes of Cove Rangers, Kelty Hearts and Bonnyrigg Rose have shaken up the previous safe bastions of the lower reaches of the SPFL.
Come on the Hi Hi’s!
