MELBOURNE Heart might be as competitive as most teams in the A-League, but its crowds are stubbornly refusing to increase with its growth as a club in three seasons.

The red and whites have so far lived in the shadow of foundation club Melbourne Victory, despite a similar record in the past two seasons - both have been in the play-offs once - while Heart has had the better of their derbies.

Heart registered its third win, against the Glory, last week, but few people were there to cheer. Credit:Getty Images

While the lop-sided popularity of twice-champion Victory over Heart is not surprising, given the advantage of incumbency and the success Victory has had, such an outcome is not inevitable. Or at least the current gap - Victory crowds are often double and sometimes close to treble Heart's - does not have to be a given.

On Saturday night, Heart pulled a crowd of 4500 for the visit of Perth Glory. It was one of its poorest ever gates and has left the club searching for answers, with directors and management discussing ways to try to woo back fans.