Good response to fans’ forum

PAUL Dickov: The Athletic boss will face the fans on July 15.

ATHLETIC fans are snapping up tickets for next month’s opportunity to grill new boss Paul Dickov.

A third of tickets for the ‘meet the manager’ fans’ forum on July 15 have already sold.

The Scot, his yet-to-be appointed assistant, and two players will be grilled by supporters at the White Hart, Lydgate, on Thursday, July 15.

The event gets started at 7.30pm in the Oak Room, with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now at the club.

They cost £5, which includes a meat and potato pie supper and entrance into a free draw for the new shirt, which will be signed by Dickov, his right hand man and the players who join them at the event.

The capacity is 140, so tickets are being sold on a first come, first served basis.

After a disappointing season last term and the departure of Dave Penney, Athletic are understandably keen to bring supporters and management closer together.

On his first day in the job player-manager Dickov (37) refused to send out a ‘back us’ plea to the fans, insisting it’s down to the players to earn their cheers.

He believes the only way to get the paying public onside is to go out and play attractive football and, obviously, gain enough positive results to avoid another campaign on nail-biting relegation battles.

Athletic have confirmed they want to put back the visit of Rochdale by 24 hours to Tuesday, January 4.

They also aim to move the Easter Monday clash with Walsall to the following day, Tuesday, April 26.

This is due to police charges costing double the usual rates on Bank Holiday, and the desire to give players an extra day’s rest after Saturday matches.

The first set of fixtures issued by the Football League is really only a first draft, because all clubs have a week in which to appeal for changes to the schedule.

Dickov can’t wait to get started and said: “I’ve had scrapes with pretty much every club in this division over the years, whether it was in the top flight or in the current league!

“There are some fantastic matches to look forward to, whether they are the derbies against Rochdale or some of the big clubs with rich histories who have dropped down the leagues.

“I am raring to go and I want to test myself against these clubs when the season gets started.”