Corney blasts ‘gutless tripe’

Simon Corney: furious about performance against Bury

Players should refund fans for Bury flop, says chairman

FED-UP Athletic fans should be offered full refunds from the players' own pockets, said club chairman Simon Corney, after a display against Bury he described as "gutless tripe".

The 2-1 home loss to the struggling Shakers featured a particularly poor first-half display — despite Athletic entering the derby contest with only one defeat in seven matches.

The reverse dropped Athletic into 18th place in npower League One and again prompted Corney to express his frustration at home performances.

"We laid out approximately £4,000 in appearance money for the Bury game," said Athletic's chairman.

"The players should be knocking on my door, offering to give it back. Because that was not acceptable.

"The fans are the lifeblood of the club. I apologise to them.

“Against Tranmere on Saturday, we will be 500 supporters down at £20 a head. But the players still get their money and it is just wrong."

It is the second time this season frustrated Corney has issued a public blast at Athletic's players.

"I am devastated for the fans," he added. "I can take losing, but not with a home performance as benign and pathetic as that.

“Some may have got carried away with how wonderful we have been — but we were 17th in the table after beating a non-league team in the FA Cup. Why that gives people the right to complacency, I don't know.

"The only exception was Matt Derbyshire. He is a consummate professional and an example to others.”