Owen opens a can of worms

Latics fans representative and director Barry Owen may have opened a can of worms with his questioning regarding the dwindling attendances at Boundary Park. He confessed to the Oldham Chronicle, "The owners are investing millions of pounds to build a new stadium but I wonder whether the public of Oldham want a football club in the town. I appreciate there is a recession and times are hard, but our attendances have been nothing short of disgraceful. And it must be discouraging for the owners, who are totally committed to investing in the club but then see gates like the ones we have been getting."

"I would like to open a debate as to which way the fans want to take the club forward. I would like them to have their say and give us some ideas as what would tempt them back. Tell us what we are not doing which would make them return? The regulars who turn up week in, week out are brilliant, but they are being let down by the stayaway fans. It is expensive running a football club and a certain level has to be charged to keep the club solvent. Unfortunately, clubs at our level aren't subsidised to the extent those in the Premier League are by television money."

My question to Mr. Owen is, "How are you going to open the dialogue and how do you propose to implement any proposed supporter's suggestions? It is time that some drastic steps were taken to get the club back on an even keel. Supporter's views are paramount to developments at Boundary Park and a means of open dialogue need to be made a priority if the club is to win round the existing fans but, more importantly, how can new supporters be encouraged?