AN eighth-tier football club in the Bradford area raised eyebrows last night as it posted an attendance of close to 40,000 people at their game on Tuesday.

Brighouse Town AFC beat Barnsley-based Athersley Recreation 4-0 in a pre-season friendly yesterday, over in South Yorkshire.

Shortly before the full-time whistle blew, Brighouse Town - who will continue to play in the Northern Premier League East Division after being reprieved from relegation recently - posted on X to announce how many attended the game.

To many people's surprise, the figure was announced as 39,886 - a sum much larger than Brighouse's biggest home attendance last season, which was 387 on New Year's Day against Liversedge.

Their average home attendance in the league was 239.

It is a figure that even eclipses the likes of Chelsea, Everton, and Leeds United last season.

It was almost 40 times higher than when Brighouse played Stockton Town away (1,218) - the game with the largest attendance the side were involved in, in the 23/24 season.

Athersley Recreation's average home attendance in the Northern Counties East Football League Division One - two tiers below Brighouse - was 120 for the last campaign, with a high of 351 for a game in August 2023.

But all that pales into insignificance when you consider the game was actually played at the home venue of Sunday-league side Queens United FC.

The pitch, off Barnsley Road, in Wath-upon-Dearne, near Rotherham (main picture) is surrounded on three sides by large trees but features no stands.

The post on X attracted playful comments from users.

One said: "Does that include ants?"

Another person said: "Bet they ran out of pies pretty early."

A further individual said: "Any programmes left?"

But the mystery was resolved this morning when Brighouse Town AFC posted a correction on its X page.

The post, published at 9.17am, said the actual attendance was, a much more modest, 39 people.

Even though the crowd was some 39,837 less than initially reported they at least saw a good game and a fine win for Brig.

Other clubs are starting to get their pre-season campaigns underway too, including Eccleshill United, who beat Shelley 3-1 last night.

Thackley lost 3-2 at home to Barnoldswick Town, while the likes of Liversedge, Campion, Albion Sports and Bradford (Park Avenue) will all play their first friendlies in the coming days.