I do believe the excuse of Man Utd and City does not hold to much water. but of course does have an impact.
The Manchester conurbation is huge and per square mile I am sure Alrincham has its quota of people to get attendances up to 1500.
I got hooked by my dad taking me to Alty in the 1970s, now I have got my dad hooked again.
We need to get the kids in, we need to advertise in Altrincham, Sale, Timperley, in youth clubs, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, Scouts, local football youth leagues etc. the youth leagues especially as they are already interested in football.
The SAM can give away tickets, kids free with an adult will get more people than charging kids £2 and will generate more income.
Promote in more papers eg, the Metro, Manchester Evening News.
If a proper advertising campaign is done the cost of this can be compared to the gate money to see if indeed it is worthwhile. But the numbers HAS to increase somehow.