Forward-thinking Dudley Town bid to drum up support

Town face a key West Midlands League Premier Division clash at home to promotion rivals Black Country Rangers, and Lovatt is hoping for a bumper crowd following the club’s decision to offer free entry to season ticket holders at the region’s professional clubs.

With Wolves in action against Leicester tonight, the deal was originally aimed at the gold and black faithful, but has now been extended to fans at Villa, who welcome Tottenham on Sunday, and Albion, who host Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns at 12.30pm tomorrow.

And although Birmingham and Walsall both kick-off at home at 3pm tomorrow, the offer is extended to their fans just in case they fancy a change of scene!

“We play at Sporting Khalsa’s ground in Willenhall, which is a bit of a Wolves stronghold,” said Lovatt. “And with them playing tonight, the club club decided to offer their season ticket holders free entry to our game.

“But I had a few Villa fans asking if that was the case for them as well. So the club have decided to extend the offer to the other local professional clubs.

“The club’s board are very forward thinking and always looking at ways to increase attendances or raise our profile.

“It’s a great idea and hopefully we will attract another decent crowd.

“It makes a big difference to the players when there is a good crowd in. It gives them an a extra buzz.

“We moved the derby game with Dudley Sports to a Friday night and that was a huge success.

“We had over 200 watching and I think they will have enjoyed the game as it finished 7-3!”

Lovatt won’t be expecting a 7-3 victory tomorrow against a Rangers side sitting two places and six points behind the fourth-placed Robins, but with four games in hand.

“It really is a six-pointer,” said Lovatt. “We have to try to make sure they don’t bridge that gap.

“It’s going to be tough, but it should be an exciting game.

“I have had them watched and they like to get the ball down and play.

“It should be a good game for the neutral and hopefully we will come out of it with a positive result.”

“So the club had decided to offer free entry to season ticket holders as Albion, Villa, Birmingham and Walsall as well.

Mitchell Lawley (captai), Shane Maydew (keeper), Himesh Patel (CKECK) all struggling with injuries.

Spent 40 minutes working on set-pieces in training this week after conceding two goals from corners at Bewdley.

Can’t fault the players’ effort and attitude.