Crowds rose by nearly ten per cent last season to give a higher attendance than Italy's Serie A, and with an improved television deal, international players are flocking to the league.

'All equal'
"The unpredictability of it is the attraction," Michael Dunford, chief executive of Plymouth Argyle FC, told uefa.com. "When we start the league campaign we're all equal and nobody knows how the season will pan out. You can't say that with the Premiership. You've got some of the biggest names in English football playing in the Championship and it's a very, very competitive league."

Champion rivals
Former league champions Derby County FC, Leeds United AFC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC are just some of the sides battling it out for a return to the top. Their average gates compare favourably with many Premiership clubs, and surpass those of many sides in the major European leagues.

Attendance soars
The Championship was the fourth best supported league in Europe last season, according to the Association of Football Statisticians, drawing more than Italy's Serie A. Only the Premiership, the Bundesliga and the Primera División had more paying customers.

New deal
Championship matches were watched by 9.8m people, compared to 9.77m for Serie A and 8.17m for France's Ligue 1. Television revenue has increased accordingly. The Football League signed a new contract with ITV and Sky Sports in June worth an estimated €159m over three years from next season, a 40 per cent increase on the current deal.

Leeds upbeat
Wednesday, promoted to the Championship last season, have sold 16,000 season tickets and expect crowds in excess of 25,000, while attendances at some of the smaller clubs have increased dramatically. "Five years ago Plymouth were playing to gates of 4,500, last year we were playing in front of 16,000," Dunford said. At Elland Road the mood is also upbeat. Leeds, relegated from the Premiership in 2004, have consolidated their debts and are expected to challenge for a top six place.

New reality
The air of expectation contrasts sharply with the pessimism that greeted the start of the 2002/03 season. Following the collapse of ITV Digital, which had agreed a three-year television deal with the Football League worth €454m, clubs suddenly had to adjust to a new financial reality. The gulf between the Premiership and England's second tier had never been wider.

Derby debts
Some of England's biggest names are still adjusting. Derby, for instance, continue to struggle under debts estimated in the region of €58m, while former European champions Nottingham Forest FC, relegated last season, have failed to arrest their slide.

Palace coup
Derby's debts though, have not stopped the fans flocking to watch the Rams, who have sold 17,000 season tickets ahead of Saturday's home opener. Just as the supporters are pouring in, England striker Andrew Johnson's decision to stay at Crystal Palace FC in a FIFA World Cup season is an indication that this league is no longer one players are scrambling to leave.

Promotion windfall
Promotion, though, remains the goal and what better way to end the season than with one of the most nerve-wracking games on earth - the play-off final. With promotion and a potential €50m windfall up for grabs, not even the UEFA Champions League can promise such a prize. The standard of football may not match what is on offer in Europe's élite leagues, but when it comes to drama, the Championship certainly makes for compelling viewing.

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