'Support us, we have no sugar-daddy' - Roddy Collins

 

Athlone Town manager Roddy Collins has called for greater levels of support for his team at home games.

The Town boss was keen to praise the support the team has been getting at away games in this year’s Airtricity League First Division, but hopes the people of Athlone will get behind his promotion-seeking team in greater numbers over the coming weeks.

Collins was speaking after Athlone’s victory over SD Galway last weekend while also looking forward to Friday’s important home league game against Waterford Utd (Lissywollen, 7.45pm).

“The travelling support has been amazing and I thanked them personally last Friday after the SD Galway game. But we need to see more people in our own stadium,” he said.

“The club has no sugar-daddy or big sponsors and the only income is through the turnstiles. It’s not like I am asking people to watch a dour team because we are a good side that’s improving the whole time. We try to play the right way and are on a decent run at the moment. The club has ensured me that anything extra that comes into the club will go into improving the squad and that will be beneficial to everyone. I would just love to see the people of Athlone come more on board to give us a chance to show them what we’re about,” he added.

Athlone currently lie in fourth position in the First Division and are six points behind the league leaders Longford Town. Athlone are unbeaten in four league games and will be looking to bag three more points to continue their promotion push this Friday.

 

*See Wednesday's Westmeath Independent for a match report from last weekend's victory against SD Galway and more after-match reaction from Roddy Collins.