Latics protest group urges fans not to attend home games next season

Latics protest group Push the Boundary have urged the club's disgruntled fans to boycott Boundary Park next season.

In a tough new stance, PTB have issued two statements over the past few days indicating that 'supporters deserve better' as they continue to seek pressure on the club's owner, and for disenchanted followers to say 'no' to Abdallah Lemsagam, who they insist 'has chosen to ignore the loyal supporters of our club'.

In PTB's latest statement this morning (Friday), they reckon only 850 adult season tickets have so far been sold for the 2021/22 League Two campaign - at a heavily reduced cost.

"It would not be a surprise to see attendances between 1,800-2,200 next season - unthinkable for our club we are sure you’ll agree," adds the PTB statement.

However, the group wants Latics fans to focus on 'away days' next season and steer clear of Boundary Park.

Today's PTB statement added: "What we are asking is that you dedicate all of your passion and energy into supporting the team on the road, and while we accept and respect that attending home games is your decision, we would urge you not to attend home games for the forthcoming season.

"The main objectives for this campaign being:

– Attending away games only would be our way of showing that we ‘back the team, but not the regime'

– Turning up and paying on the day means that only the home side will receive any gate receipts so we would therefore not be funding the current regime

– To shine a spotlight on our plight and show other clubs as well as the footballing authorities what we are dealing with

– To showcase the amazing support we have to any potential suitors. A passionate engaged fanbase is a big plus for anyone looking at purchasing a football club

"This action will be to show the owner that he has alienated the best support in the country by his
actions and dragged this club to its lowest point, and worse, in our 125th year of existence.

"At the same time, we get to travel and support our team, meet up like we used to do, have an amazing away day without putting any money in the owners pocket.

"Other clubs have taken this stance and have prospered.

"This is not a reflection of your love for Oldham Athletic, this is a stand against the current custodians of our club.

"They will most certainly not be here forever, and we need to make sure that they take the decision to hand the club to more responsible custodians sooner rather than later, and before things get any worse on their watch."

Push the Boundary now has 2,300 followers on Twitter, and almost 3,000 people signed a recent petition urging Mr Lemsagam to sell up.

Moroccan former football agent Mr Lemsagam took over as Latics owner in early 2018.

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