Lee dreaming of Boundary Park cauldron

THE Boundary Park atmosphere debate is set to move to a whole new level after Athletic boss Lee Johnson spoke at length on the subject at his pre-match press conference.

The debate – which kicked off with feedback on switching the traditional ‘home’ end from Chaddy to the larger Rochdale Road stand – began after Johnson hailed the travelling support at Tranmere last Saturday. He said it would be to get the same sort of noise at home too.

Johnson himself is now backing the discussion among the club faithful.

The Athletic boss said: “The dream for me would be that at this time next year we’ll be competing at the top end of the table with regular 7,000 gates.

“I want people to enjoy themselves, to be watching a good brand of football and to have that affiliation with the players.

“The fans need to have that confidence and that buzz to want to come to a match, and certainly the new stand will help with that. We can’t lose touch with tradition, but I do want to move forward. The atmosphere in the ground isn’t ideal at the moment and I don’t know whether I was right or wrong to bring that up, but I’m just trying to look at it from everyone’s point of view.

“Match days can be a fan’s chance to show that passion, and even that tribal instinct if you like.

“There’s no bigger affiliation than there is with your football club, so why not go to a game and enjoy the atmosphere?”