Cut price Cup tie as Bucks fight on

AFC Telford United have announced reduced ticket prices for Saturday's FA Cup match against Corby Town in a bid to get more people through the New Bucks Head turnstiles.

Conference North attendances have been down at Telford this season, and chairman Lee Carter is keen that the club is proactive in attracting as many new faces as possible.

Prices have been set at £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for under-16s for the weekend tie against Southern League Premier Division side Corby.

That represents a £3 reduction for adults and concessions in the seated areas of the ground.

"We always try to reduce prices for FA Cup games," Carter explained. "It's not always possible, as the opposition has to agree, but fortunately Corby have and hopefully it will encourage a few more to come.

"And also we have 700 loyal fans who cough up for a season ticket, and more who regularly pay full price at the gate, so we like to reward them where we can."

The Bucks' average crowds have fallen by 260 from 2,107 to 1,847 over the opening two months this season.

The club still tops the Conference North attendance tables by some distance - King's Lynn the second best supported on 1,153 - but Carter is determined to recapture the drifters.

He added: "Gates are a problem as people feel the pinch, but we've been quite creative in thinking of ways of improving things.

"It would be easy to sit on our hands and say it is due to the financial climate. People have tightened their belts and our figures aren't as good as last season and that is due to a number of factors.

"We haven't made the start that we have wanted but we're going to try and do something about it - it would be very easy not to."

Meanwhile, defender Asa Charlton played 85 minutes for Hednesford Town last night in their 4-0 win over Matlock Town as he continues his return to full fitness.