There's no doubt that several factors suggested that the crowd would be below expectations. It was a midweek evening kick off on Halloween and there was live football on the BBC. It is inevitable that a combination of family or work commitments would reduce the attendance. Furthermore, all the home fans had to pay for entry as season tickets were not valid. A further barrier was added in that all the East Stand regulars were asked to pay a few pounds extra for their seats (while the entire away support had a £4 price cut).
Away fans in the DC Stand
Despite this the Cooper Stand seemed (from my vantage point) to be fairly full and the night's attendance was recorded as 9283. On September 29 (a Saturday afternoon with away fans in the Cooper) the crowd was reported to be 10 009.
When all factors are taken into account it appears that the Motherwell support did demonstrate that retaining the Cooper Stand for home fans is the sensible decision. The team got plenty vociferous encouragement and the club finances did not suffer.
But only the club know the exact figures. A statement thanking the fans and giving an assurance that further home matches against the Old Firm would see the Cooper filled with claret and amber is eagerly awaited.