Blair backs Edinburgh's home stadium decision

At the beginning of the campaign, Edinburgh only managed an average crowd of 1,300 for their opening three home games in the Magners League.

But that figure steadily rose significantly to an average of 5,300 for the three matches that saw Leicester, Munster and Glasgow visit Murrayfield with the latter game setting a new club attendance record.

The final home match of the season saw over 3,000 watch Edinburgh defeat Magners League leaders Leinster and the average for the season was marginally over that figure; an increase to 3,302.

That level of growth has been welcomed by Blair and he believes the top-class facilities at Murrayfield have helped Edinburgh employ an entertaining brand of off-loading rugby.

Blair said: "We have had a fairly good record at Murrayfield. The boys love playing on a big expansive pitch which is well looked after.

"The stadium negates the wind and dries out pretty quickly as well and that is conducive to the type of rugby we want to play.

"Winning the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield was a memorable highlight for me this season and I'm hoping to enjoy similar experiences with Edinburgh in the stadium next year as well."

After conducting a questionnaire amongst Edinburgh supporters, the results showed 90% of fans welcomed staying at Murrayfield with the West Stand the preferred place to be situated for matches.

Chief executive Nic Cartwright admits the club are excited about continuing the growth achieved during the 2007/2008 season.

Cartwright said: "The club has great assets on which to build and we are well placed to continue our journey.

"We have learnt a lot in the past few months, but our key goals remain the same; to provide supporters with a great evening's entertainment, to provide real value for money for the whole family and to be a club which is seen to be both open and inclusive."

Adult season tickets are available for £150 with Concession (OAPS and student) season tickets available for £80 and junior (under-18) season tickets priced at £30 (available at the Scottish Rugby Ticket Office on 0131 346 5180).

The season ticket enables supporters to watch all nine home matches in the Magners League and all three Heineken Cup home matches plus free entry into the 1872 Cup match against Glasgow at Firhill.