Latics seek tickets lift

MARK MOISLEY . . . levels similar to last year

ATHLETIC chief executive Mark Moisley is hoping for a significant season ticket sales boost as excitement continues to steadily build ahead of the new Sky Bet League One season.

It's been a largely productive pre-season so far for Athletic manager John Sheridan, with Paul Green, Brian Wilson, George Edmundson and Tope Obadeyi agreeing new contracts.

Meanwhile, exciting attacking midfielder Dan Gardner has been drafted in on a two-year deal following his departure from Chesterfield at the end of last term.

Season ticket sales have been steady so far, but Moisley is confident that there will be something of a surge as the new campaign approaches thanks to the terrific form the Athletic team showed during the second half of 2016-17 under popular boss Sheridan.

Moisley said: "Season ticket sales figures currently are at a similar level to what they've been over the past few years at this point.

"They're pretty much on a par to what they've been previously.

"However, everyone at the club is hoping for a boost over the next few weeks as the playing squad continues to take shape and the pre-season friendly games start to kick in.

"The squad is certainly in a lot better shape than it was this time last year."

That was when Athletic had been stunned by Sheridan's departure for Notts County and before Stephen Robinson was appointed to what proved to be his ill-fated six-month reign at SportsDirect.com Park.

ATHLETIC full-back Cameron Dummigan played the full game as Northern Ireland's under-21s beat Estonia 2-1.

Managed by Ian Baraclough, Northern Ireland scored a penalty in the final minute of additional time to earn the former Athletic assistant boss a win on his first game in charge.

Dummigan played the full match, but picked up a yellow card in the 71st minute.