Sorry, but this just isn’t true. Other teams away ends have a much lower percentage of older fans. The bigger or more fashionable clubs are much more attractive to younger, male fans. Even Leeds, Newcastle, Everton, the Sheffield clubs - and these haven’t won anything in ages. Ladies didn’t really go to the football in the 80s so it doesn’t add up we’d have so many 70 year old women who have been supporting us that long.
This is not me criticising older fans, but I will criticise the club for making it a ‘family club’ and being overly corporate instead of trying to make the club something cool that younger male fans will support. It’s just common sense that this demographic is the most vocal and lairy and that lifts the atmosphere.
Also, I hate to say it but football naturally means more to younger people without families or a sense of direction in life. It’s an escape from disillusionment and pride in a local team which they are less likely to have found in themselves yet. Again, not a criticism - as I’ve got older I’ve realised football is less important than it used to be.
What isn’t good is thousands of people turning up just out of habit and respecting the owners more than the historical institution that is the football club. There’s no pride in that and it dilutes the experience for those who see the club as a meaningful representation of the community.