Latics’ plea to stay-away fans

DEFENDER Hasney Aljofree played in last night’s reserve-team game.

ATHLETIC have called on stay-away fans to return to Boundary Park and get behind the team.

The last two home games, against Tranmere and Millwall, have attracted gates of only 3,688 and 3,656.

Boundary Park chief executive Alan Hardy admitted: “We realise the team is not playing good football.

“I can’t criticise the fans for not enjoying it and we have to find a remedy.

“But, while understanding their frustration, we need the fans’ support.

“The more support we have, the more it will help the club’s financial situation.”

Athletic will be hoping fans turn out for Saturday’s vital home game against Brentford, but one player unlikely to be in the squad is defender Hasney Aljofree, who had been hoping to resurrect his career by rejoining the club following a long-term knee injury.

The 31-year-old centre-half, whose contract for Swindon Town runs out at the end of this season, joined Athletic on loan in 2007, playing five first-team matches under then-manager John Sheridan.

Aljofree helped Athletic reserves to a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough last night in a game which also featured two young trialist forwards, one of whom hit a post with a first-half shot.

However, Athletic’s priority remains the signing of a striker.

While Doncaster’s Paul Heffernan is their main target, hopes to sign him before Monday’s deadline could be scuppered by the current casualty list at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Should Heffernan not join Athletic in the next few days, he could return to the club on loan next month as players can be released by clubs a week after the transfer deadline has passed.

Athletic boss Dave Penney has other irons in the fire on the striker front and was at a match last night to make a check on a player.