Season tickets to rise by about 25%

Last updated : 21 April 2005 By The Chairman

Season tickets are to rise by about 25% for next season. The decision was discussed at the public meeting which was held at Boundary Park on Tuesday night, an event which brought out an incredible 1700 supporters. It was suggested at the meeting that the prices would be frozen for the following season if Athletic failed to win promotion, a suggestion which was well received by the Latics faithful.

Simon Corney (pictured) said, “We want to be pushing for the Championship this time next year. And in order to improve the team with people like Luke Beckett and Paul Murray, we need to give the manager a good budget. That will happen anyway, but if the fans make a contribution through season tickets it will make the club much more financially secure. The club which went bust last year was mortgaged to the hilt and reliant on one major backer – we can’t let that happen again. Increasing prices will help us to stabilise the business and fund a real push for promotion.”

Also discussed at the meeting were the plans for Athletic’s new stadium. The plans will go on display in about three weeks after discussions with the local residents at Ferney Field Farm, the site of the new stadium. The state-of-the-art stadium will have 20,000 seats and will be contained in a massive 80 acre development which will include community leisure and sports facilities. Corney was amazed with the turnout of fans and went on, “I honestly expected to see about 400 people – this is an incredible show of support.”