There were more police and stewards at the well organised event than there were in the audience
Rock around the flop!
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 10th Sep 1998.
POP stars who usually entertain thousands sang their hearts out in a near empty Leigh stadium.
Big name performers like Leo Sayer, Dannii Minogue and Alexander O'Neal did the business on the Hilton Park rugby and soccer pitch.
But the expected 12,000 audience never materialised leaving the organisers 'simply in the red' when just a few hundred were attracted to the two day festival.
And Hilton Park directors will pick-up the tab for performers and back room staff which will run into thousands.
Disappointed Rugby club chairman Mick Higgins was at a loss to explain the concert failure.
"We tried to do things for the community but we also advertised further afield and when you have got quality performers you think people will come.
"Everybody thought it would be a success yet the response was very disappointing. It would have been all right if we had attracted a few thousand people.
"Maybe we tried to bite off more than we could chew with a two-day event.
"The whole point of the exercise is to use the stadium 52 weeks a year, seven days a week. Lack of ticket sales caused concern but people in the know said we would get the crowds on the day."
Mr Higgins didn't rule out any future concerts and said other functions such as a big top Millennium dinner were in the pipeline. He said the board of directors would be meeting to discuss the financial implications of the pop concert flop.
And this week Hilton Park event organiser Karen Gunn admitted:"We're very disappointed - as sick as dogs. We feel let down, it's very solemn down here.
"We expected at least 6-7,000 people but got perhaps four or five hundred. But, hand on heart, those people who were there had a brilliant time.
"We don't understand why it didn't attract people. The rugby club isn't in a financial position to stand the loss.
"But we'll keep our heads up."
Music lovers who did turn-up were treated to a two day extravaganza which cost £15 for Sunday, £12.50 for Monday or £22 for both days.
And for some it was the chance of a lifetime to have a one-to-one with their idol.
Anita Booth of the Incredible Event Company Ltd which staged the show said:"It was a small audience but a great atmosphere. It was a great pity because as a show it was fabulous.
" The club did a lot of hard work in promoting the event. They were big names and good support bands. We are at a loss.
"We would be delighted to support another venture."
