right so i have to join some huge alliance to stand a chance hats really uplifting for growing towns such as mine
That is not the case, depending on who you are attacking and if no other fort battles are on going, with the right polite mail you could get a decent amount of support.
Calling a battle on a -LD-, Miestas and co fort, i am sure -TW- group and -SB- and co will show up and vice versa.
A lot of people just like fort battles, but if you choose a time when either of the above are fighting/defending each other it may be difficult to get a full house.
Because we have been going so long, the majority of active players have gravitated towards the majors to be involved in fort battles which is just the way of the world. But don't give up, get your timings right and you will have a good chance of pulling a crowd.
Or you could just try stealing in on a fort when a few other battles are taking place. I don't agree with it but it happens.