THE Spar Mid Wales League Bank Holiday weekend programme attracted a combined attendance of over 2,000 supporters in a huge boost to football in the region.
The groundhop weekend saw the tourists and local football fans enjoy the benefits of scattered kick-offs, with nine games crammed in between Friday night's big opener between Abermule and Llanfair United and the final match between Montgomery Town and Llanfyllin Town on Monday.
An opening night crowd of 261 at Abermule set the tone, with over 200 supporters taking in Saturday's Mid Wales League second division match between Llanfyllin Town and Kerry and a goalless draw between Four Crosses and Meifod.
History was made later that evening with the visiting groundhoppers enjoying their first ever Welsh Cup tie with Llanidloes Town edging a 2-1 extra-time win over Llansanffraid Village
The football roadshow headed south on Sunday with 229 supporters taking in Rhosgoch Rangers’ 10 goal routing of Talgarth Town at Crow Lane.
A new record for the groundhoppers was set later that day with the 322 that watched Newbridge beat Builth Wells 4-2 in the Wyeside derby, a new record on Welsh soil.
That record lasted just a few hours with 374 supporters cramming into Llandrindod Wells' Broadway ground for their second division opener against Bont.
Bank Holiday Monday started with a bang with the first division clash between Carno and Llanidloes Town attracting a bumper crowd of 311 despite the 11am kick-off.
The tour culminated in visits to Kerry who went top of the second division in front of 215 supporters, with a 3-2 victory over Meifod, before ending at Montgomery Town, who treated 272 supporters to a 5-0 win over Llanfyllin Town.
Spar Mid Wales League secretary Phil Woosnam said: “The great attendances over the weekend have shown there is great interest in grassroots football in this area.
“All the home clubs rose to the challenge superbly with matchday programmes issued and plenty of memorabilia available.
“It is also important to express my sincere gratitude to all the visiting teams, some of which played two games over the weekend, for playing their part in this success.”