I think it is that the decline in over all numbers of clubs is in fact because those that remain (at least in my part of the world) retain all the best elements that were perhaps only single elements in a lot of the earlier clubs.

There used to be several clubs that specialised in a particular type or style (blues,trad whatever) and now down here in Sussex the remaining 5 or 6 clubs will all at different times put on representatives from across the spectrum.

Dave

(and Joe I think you can see where the bickering originates)