5th June 2000   

Get your money on Latics!!!!

ATHLETIC'S offer of discounted season tickets has been declared a huge success, with almost £300,000 banked. The number of tickets purchased by the deadline for entitlement to a 15-per-cent saving was 1,920. That is an increase of 234 from this time last year and provides a much-needed 25-per-cent rise in income. "It has certainly helped our cash flow," declared chief executive Alan Hardy. He added that the influx of money doesn't mean Athletic are in credit, but it does help greatly in reducing their projected close-season deficit. Mr Hardy said: "The decision to increase the discount has encouraged people to buy their tickets early. "What is encouraging is that the numbers are up, as well as the revenue we have generated." 

Mr Hardy pointed out that last year 600 season tickets were purchased after the end of May when the discounts expired. He added that fans can also take advantage of an easy-payment plan over nine months. An adult season ticket for the Seton Stand currently costs £230, but with the easy-payment plan it would be £255.96, still a saving of £89 on matchday admission prices. Fans are being advised to become members early to prevent a late stampede before the start of the season. The cost is £5, but membership affords a discount of between £1 and £3 per match. There is a distinct lack of activity on the transfer front, with Athletic waiting to see who leaves before they can make any moves of their own. Scott McNiven and Mark Allott have rejected new contracts, while Paul Beavers, Mark Innes and Matthew Tipton are all transfer listed, but the club has not received offers for any of them. 

Manager Andy Ritchie is believed to be tracking Chesterfield's David Reeves, but the striker is now close to joining Notts County. Tipton and goalkeeper David Miskelly came face to face when Wales and Northern Ireland under-21s met in a triangular tournament on Friday. Both Athletic youngsters started the match, with Tipton playing for 72 minutes, but the 2-2 draw meant Scotland emerged as overall winners.

The bookies feel that Oldham won't go much better than last season with the various odds available suggesting a mid-table finish. Andy Ritchie said at the conclusion of last season that he felt the Latics could've claimed a top six place if one of the front men could have picked up a total approaching 20 goals. After a dire start the boss though was happy that his side were able to pick themselves up and thus end the season away from the relegation dog-fight. However, Ritchie is well known to be looking to sign a striker this summer who he thinks will catalyse the team to make a convincing push for the play-offs this coming season. The bookies though are not convinced that Oldham will make an impact offering odds of between 33/1 and 40/1 on the Latics to win the Division Two title outright.
There are five teams that are thought to be in a worse position, Northampton, play-off winners Peterborough, Oxford, Colchester and Cambridge. Local rivals Wigan are this time installed as favourites for the title at around the 100/30 mark with Stoke, Reading and Millwall thought to be the teams that will push them all the way.