Alan Woolford remembers the days when, week after week, there was standing room only in the Otago Rugby Supporters Clubrooms.
It was during that wonderful season of 1998, when Otago swept all before it on its way to winning the National Provincial Championship.
Rugby hype continued the following year as Carisbrook hosted the Super 12 final, with the Highlanders losing narrowly to the Crusaders.
Fans demanded to be part of the Carisbrook occasion.
They queued at ticket outlets overnight to ensure they secured their spot at the ground and, naturally, supporters crammed into the clubrooms after the final whistle to dissect the afternoon's action.
But those days are now a distant memory for the retiring supporters club president.
If 1998 and 1999 were a resurgence then 2007 was further proof that rugby has some big battles to overcome as interest in the sport continues to wane.
Last year, membership of the Otago Rugby Supporters Club plummeted by about 20% to 392.
The club was formed in 1975 and, after struggling for members when Otago's on-field performances were dire, thrived in the 1990s.
But membership has halved since 2003 and is now at its lowest since 1996, a far cry from the heady days when more than 800 people were members.
Woolford, who joined the supporters club 26 years ago, has been on the committee for the last 17 years and its president since 2005.
He has stood down as president this year - ‘‘I've done my bit'' - but won't be joining the club's mass exodus.
‘‘Our numbers just mirror what happens at the ground.
‘‘We're not struggling. Financially, it's in good heart and morale inside the club is quite good, as well.
‘‘The battle is to get people along to the ground. It's good when it's full but we haven't had that for quite a few years.''
Woolford says there is no easy fix.
The reasons for spectator decline has been well documented - rugby overload, extensive television coverage of matches and night rugby, particularly in the South with its harsher winters.
‘‘There has been a lot of rugby and by the time we get around to the Air New Zealand Cup people get rugbyed out.
‘‘A couple of years ago we had those 4.30pm Sunday games which just killed off the crowds. We had a lot of people who, while still members of the club, just don't go to rugby because it's night time and too cold for them.
‘‘It's all these things. It starts at the grass roots. It's lost its impetus from there.''
As Woolford reflects back to the glorious 1998 and 1999 seasons, he remains adamant a successful team is the biggest factor in determining support for a rugby team.
After all, everyone loves winners.
‘‘Team performance is one of the biggest things. People come out and support their team when it's winning.
‘‘They were the days when we had well-known players. Sometimes, we don't even know who the players are these days.''
Woolford said the club's officials had met new Otago chief executive Richard Reid and were buoyed by his positive approach to his new role and the union's future.
‘‘Otago's future is in the hands of administrators.
‘‘They know their challenges and as a sports club we'll get behind them.''
