Santas in the stands

NOT-SO-SECRET SANTAS: but they could only give Latics a draw...

ATHLETIC fans were in festive spirit at Boundary Park for Saturday’s home game against Leyton Orient in Coca Cola League One as spectators in the Leesfield Developments Stand at the Rochdale Road end wore Santa outfits.

Athletic’s decision to offer discounted admission prices — a family of four were able to watch the match for £14 — attracted a crowd of 6,839, their third largest of the season.

That was almost twice as many spectators as would normally have attended the Saturday before Christmas game, which is notoriously bad for crowds.