Here are a few figures that I find truly extraordinary. Last weekend, a midtable League One match between Bradford and Gillingham attracted 19,654 spectators. The standard of football, I am reliably informed by two Telegraph colleagues in attendance, was dire.  

Meanwhile, an England Under-21 friendly against Romania in Wolverhampton drew 15,313. In Vanarama National North, the sixth tier of English football, Stockport County had 3,673 through the gate at Edgeley Park, including 79 Leamington supporters, for their 4-0 win over the Brakes. 

In rugby union, 144,317 people attended the last round of Aviva Premiership matches including 55,329 for Saracens v Harlequins at the London Stadium and an...