Let's hear it for the boys

FLASHBACK...fans flock to Athletic's free-entry game against Grimsby Town in 2004. A crowd of more than 13,000 turned up for 'Celebration Sunday'

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ATHLETIC hope to raise the roof at SportsDirect.com Park by offering FREE entry to all supporters for Tuesday's game against Peterborough.

It will be the first home game with new manager John Sheridan back in the dug-out - he served a touchline ban during the 1-0 win over Gillingham - and the Athletic board have taken the bold step of opening the gates to all to try to maintain the feel-good factor on home soil.

The free admission also extends to Peterborough fans, following on from the original fixture that was postponed at a late stage in November due to a frozen section of the pitch.

"It was the idea of the chairman (Simon Corney)," said Athletic's chief executive Mark Moisley.

"Primarily, it comes down to trying to build momentum with John Sheridan being back at the club.

"We got the win against Gillingham and though it will be a different game and a tough test at Shrewsbury, we want to maintain the feel-good factor at home where results up to now haven't been great and crowds low.

"There is also the added element that Peterborough fans travelled a long way to the game that was postponed, so hopefully this goes some way towards making up for that disappointment.

"It comes on the back of our reducing admission prices to £15, the lowest in the division, and we want to generate interest in the town and really pack people in to the ground."

Tickets became available this morning on a first-come, first-served basis with four available per person.

Free entry is also available through the turnstiles on the night, with supporters advised to turn up early in order to avoid disappointment.

Fans who have already paid for the game and wish to be refunded should call the ticket office on 0161 785 5150.

Those fans who wish to do so can donate towards their entry to the game (7.45pm kick-off) on the night, with all proceeds going to Mahdlo Youth Zone, a registered charity and state-of-the-art youth zone in the heart of Oldham for eight to 21-year-olds.

Athletic's bold move echoes 'celebration Sunday' of 13 years ago, when a capacity 13,007 crowd was crammed in for a 6-0 hammering of Grimsby, with plenty locked out too as new owners Simon Corney, Simon Blitz and Danny Gazal officially took over at the club.

Six years ago, Athletic reduced admission to just £2 for a home game against Carlisle with local businesses making up the shortfall on the gate.

Paul Dickov's side lost 1-0 that night, ending a seven-game unbeaten run that had sparked hopes of a push for the play-offs.

Athletic were today hoping to be able to announce a group of new signings, with Anthony Gerrard, Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Michael Ngoo all strongly linked with moves to the club.