IceStationLatic

So how was it in the RRE against Tranmere (I couldn't make it)? Any difference in volume compared with the Chaddy? Or did the "Parry Out" chants dominate everything! Hope the efforts continue amid the Golden Ticket games. We, along with the players, need to make BP more fun!

I don't - Scunny isnt liked around these parts lol - but you might be interested to know that Grimsby Town still have to charge about £16-18 for Blue Square Bet Premier games, as do a number of 'big clubs' who've fallen from grace into that division. Be grateful for where we are! Often these clubs chopped and changed managers and lost a lot of money on overhauling squads down the years! Grimsby did a 'pay what you want' - from £1 to full price - a while back and got less than 5000 i think amid an average mid-table season. This season they look like they are turning it around and, on a good run of form at present, are edging towards that figure charging full price. Back to Latics, let's hope the results start to come - finally an unbeaten run this season?! - and then things might spiral quickly given the price incentive. Agree with the poster suggesting an effort to target schools. I think Stoke - Premier League finances of course - did something like that this season and gave out loads of shirts to primary school kids, for free I think. Surely if a youngster had a team shirt for his local team do young, along with his mates, chances are he'll stick with that team as he grows up. Also, if a young kid has a shirt and loves it, that would twist the arm of family members to take them to games etc

there was a link to the statement from the official Oldham Twitter account, entitled chairman's statement or something I think

Applaud the effort and welcome it, even though I live far away do can't milk it. I've seen these sort of offers or similar ones - pay what you want - before and sometimes think chairman mistakingly thing the fans will suddenly return based on a belief that price REALLY IS the factor. There are only three things increase attendances significantly I think: not prices, but 1. A relegation battle, 2. A good cup tie, 3. Most importantly, a medium-long run of good results. Ppl will always say it's about price, but if they charged £1 for Saturday's game, how many do you think would turn up? But there's no harm in trying. I was at the Walsall game and, Valentines Day factor aside, the lack of atmosphere was fairly painful and maybe a shock to the hierarchy - as well as the Chaddy Ultras, who were chanting (jokingly) about our support being sh...! This offer should give extra motivation (not to say they aren't motivated normally) for the players to impress the fans and, moreover for them perhaps in terms of their future at the club, the chairman!

Finally...totally agree with this! CT is really developing a good footballing brain and that was evident in CM. KMB had a great debut and was superb going forward - his pace was exactly what we needed to end the goalscoring problem - but tracking back he was a little lost. CT had to cover for him a lot, hence the out-of-position jibes, but he was vocal and a leader. He reads the game well and does the dogged defensive work. After seeing his performance, in a position he hasnt played for a while, I also thought he could grow in that position - but I agree with comments that he and Adeyemi were a bit dominated physically. Would be interesting to see him play alongside Wes or Furman. He created chance after chance at Chesterfield despite losing his rag a bit. He was very close to scoring in both legs. Yet there have still been calls to drop him. Homegrown players always get harsher criticism!

Hello - first poster here so please don't bite. Just wanted to add to this discussion. I joined the 'Ultras' in the Chaddy last Monday. I'm not a season-ticket holder - I'm based in Cleethorpes now and drove over for the big match. I hope that in some way that gives you encouragement - ie other fans, not just STH are on board and are/will be attracted to this. It's a good idea and I had a cracking time - great atmosphere. The only thing I didn't like was the abuse dished out to Tommy Lee - as soon as that started I had a feeling he was going to have a stormer and it would be one of those nights... The rather small Ultras 'banner' that was unveiled around half-time was slightly embarrassing but, for me, generated a sense of pride at the same time! Good effort lads! I agree with suggestions it might be worth considering a RRE switch in the summer for next season. It's important we establish 100 per cent whether the noise from that end really is louder (so will therefore be heard by the players more - the ultimate aim). I don't think having to move now (dependent on away fans) and then is a big deal - some might think, for consistency, it'd be worth moving the away fans to the Chaddy and having RRE as the noisy home stand, but I'm sure others would view this as sacrilege! But obviously, we don't want to have this great noisy following in the Chaddy out-sung (in the ears of the players on the pitch) by fewer away fans in the RRE. Similarly, when a club comes along with a larger away following, why should they be given the stand that allows them to totally dominate the atmosphere... Maybe at the end of the campaign - hopefully when the Ultras/Athleticos drive has built up steam - the club could simply ask if the players and the boss have any opinions? I'll be at Bramall Lane on March 3 so it should definitely take place then. Although away followings are loud anyway and our noise has been praised by PD a lot this season, any pre-match planning - as we've recently discovered - does make a difference and breeds a mentality to back the team with vigour. OWTB!