Latics director in plea to fans

BARRY OWEN

ATHLETIC director Barry Owen is questioning the future of the football club in the wake of dwindling attendances at Boundary Park.

“The owners are investing millions of pounds to build a new stadium but I wonder whether the public of Oldham want a football club in the town,” demanded Mr Owen, chairman of Trust Oldham and the fans’ representative on the board at Boundary Park.

Mr Owen continued: “I appreciate there is a recession and times are hard, but our attendances have been nothing short of disgraceful.

“And it must be discouraging for the owners, who are totally committed to investing in the club but then see gates like the ones we have been getting.”

He added there appears to be a general apathy towards sport in the town as he says Oldham Roughyeds have also been struggling for support.

Mr Owen contacted the Chronicle to voice his concerns after the home fans in the games against Carlisle and MK Dons dipped below 3,500.

While that edged slightly above 4,000 for Saturday’s visit of Yeovil, the figure was inflated as it was the first of the club’s family days.

Special discounted family tickets were available at a cost of £20 for one adult and two children and £40 for two adults and up to four youngsters.

Rather than berating the stayaway fans, Mr Owen wants to know why they have stopped attending matches.

He said: “I would like to open a debate as to which way the fans want to take the club forward.

“I would like them to have their say and give us some ideas as what would tempt them back. Tell us what we are not doing which would make them return?”

Mr Owen wants to make it clear he is not criticising the hard-core fans who support the club home and away.

“The regulars who turn up week in, week out are brilliant, but they are being let down by the stayaway fans.” he continued.

Mr Owen says he appreciates money is tight, but added that other clubs have not suffered as greatly as Athletic, whose home attendances are down by around 15 per cent this season.

He admitted the cost of watching Athletic is probably one of the main issues, but explained: “It is expensive running a football club and a certain level has to be charged to keep the club solvent.

“Unfortunately, clubs at our level aren’t subsidised to the extent those in the Premier League are by television money.”