Athletic in plea to stay-aways

TOP-OF-THE-TABLE Athletic have targeted a minimum crowd of 6,000 for their weekend clash with MK Dons.

Club officials are hoping the early-season form of John Sheridan’s side will lure stay-away fans back to Boundary Park.

Both home league games this season have attracted low attendances, prompting fears that at least one star player might need to be sold.

Athletic’s share of the crowd against Millwall was 4,857, a figure which dropped to 4,520 when Cheltenham visited in late August.

Chief executive Alan Hardy said: “Saturday’s game is a big one for both sides and we are hoping for a really good turn-out at Boundary Park.

“We’ve made an excellent start to the season. The lads have been winning games and playing good football and they deserve as much support as possible.

“You would like to think more people attend games when the team are doing well, so we are aiming for a crowd of at least 6,000.

“Hopefully that’s achievable, especially if our regular fans tell their family and friends about how well the lads are playing.”

When Athletic challenged for promotion two seasons ago, their gates were regularly pushing the 7,000-mark.

Mr Hardy pointed out that tickets bought in advance are £2 cheaper than matchday prices, while under-12s pay just £3 in the Detect All Chaddy End and Leesfield Developments Rochdale Road End – both offers apply to all home league games.

Athletic are continuing to work on the fitness of Lee Hughes (groin strain) as they build up to Saturday’s MK Dons test.

And defender Neal Eardley was due back at Boundary Park today following his trip to Romania with Wales under-21s.

Eardley had the honour of captaining his side in a 3-0 victory which saw Wales qualify for the UEFA Under-21 Championship play-offs.

Meanwhile, Chris O’Grady was on target for Athletic’s reserves as they went down 3-1 in a private friendly at Blackburn yesterday.

O’Grady’s 20-yard shot earned them a half-time lead, but he and Deane Smalley missed several other chances before Blackburn hit back.