Fans hit back at Corney comments

Last updated : 12 May 2008 By Dave Moore

Some of the Latics fans are hitting back at Simon Corney's complaints, particularly his comment, "I hear various reasons for people not coming to games but, to be honest, I think most of them are easy excuses."

Here are a selection of supporters views:

"First of all, we will never get the Bradford/Huddersfield scheme working here because we dont have the sheer capacity to make it work. People will not suddenly pay 20 quid a game to watch these new players. Realise one thing, what seem big players to us are NOT big players to the general public, because we havent the ability to lure house hold names to the club. TTA are losing money as it is, and if they were to lower the prices they'd have to make sure their crowd predictions are absolutely bang on the money, and lets face it our crowds have always been unpredictable."

"Don't they see the situation the country is in at the moment? Over 5 quid a gallon for fuel, weekly shop up 10-15%, tax going out of control. I feel they need to take a reality pill...........yes we all love Latics that's not the real issue. we can't afford to go - that's the issue."

"TTAs have decided to just freeze for the second year ST prices.I class myself as one of the 3,500 diehards that Corney refers to but why have they completely ignored the logic of the likes of Bradford and Hudersfield. We must attract more bums on seats for all the reasons we have put forwards on numerous occasions. This should have been decided well before now.The comments do nothing to help the situation and only angers potential fans from coming by making them feel "guilty." I have said before that TTAs saved our club and for that they are to be praised but would they have come along if not for the land potential? I doubt it. At the end of the day they are in business and can't keep losing money each week. New building land is now at a low price and will not improve until we get out of the current financial crisis caused by over borrowing. I think they will leave development for a couple of years until things improve but what is the point of demolishing the Ford stand. Crazy .I hope my cynical mind is not working overtime."

"I will not be renewing my season ticket this year as the product I saw on the pitch in all but a handful of games last season was dismal. In effect I didn't get a return on my investment. That is also cold hard business sense - get over it lads. TTA should stop whingeing and not expect us to faithfully keep coming back for more. They should judge the fans by their own standards and accept that if what's on sale is overpriced crap, people are unlikely to buy it."

"My council tax, gas and electric, mortgage, petrol and shopping bills have all gone up and will continue to go up, yet my wages dont keep up at the same pace. We've tried everything to get more fans into the ground and these schemes don't seem to work. No they don't work! Allowing people in for free and £2 a go will never work! Pricing season tickets and match day entrance at a cheaper rate will, which is also the case at most other clubs."

"Until TTA wake up and smell the coffee crowds will continue to drop and unless a really positve contribution to our squad is made during the summer, next season will be another one of mediocrity at best. The people of Oldham can't keep being expected to fork out Championship prices for League Two type football."

"Can Athletic afford to lose 5/600 season ticket holders who can no longer justify £320 to go watch football with continued rising prices?"

"My season ticket has gone from £248 to £308 though no fault of my own and I am being moved when there are no signs of redevelopment in the near future. I must also state it costs me £15 quid in petrol money every home game. If I decide to not renew my season ticket the lads I bring with me won't be there either."