ABINGDON Town have issued a desperate plea for help as they bid to halt a dramatic slide in attendances.

Crowds at Culham Road have continued to dwindle this season with the average gate now under 100.

And they hit an all-time low when just 27 fans paid to watch the recent 3-1 midweek defeat by Bognor Regis.

Officials at the struggling Ryman League Division 1 club are rapidly becoming disillusioned by the lack of support they are receiving from the people of Abingdon.

Chairman Phil Evans said: "Do the people of Abingdon want a team playing at this level or don't they because if they do want a team playing at this level they really ought to come over and support the team.

"Life is difficult enough to keep the place going. We have a band of people down here who work their butts off, and on Saturdays the numbers we get coming through the gate doesn't give a lot of encouragement to keep going.

"The club has been in existence for 125 years. It would be an awful shame if through lack of support its future was put in jeopardy."

Now Abingdon are planning to target local schools this week by delivering complimentary tickets in a bid to boost their support. From this Saturday - when they take on Billericay at Culham Road - they are introducing a scheme for the rest of the season whereby children under 12 will be allowed in free if they are accompanied by one paying adult.

And Evans warned that if Abingdon didn't see an increase in attendances they could slip back down the football pyramid.

"We shall carry on," he said. "The risk is we would get relegated, then we would get less crowds and we could go down another division and drift down to the Hellenic League - that is the danger.

"Our future is not bleak. We would continue to run as Abingdon Town come hell or high water, but it would be a lot easier if we got people coming through the gate."

Evans is keen to here from anyone who has a view on the club's plight.

"Maybe they can let me know what we are doing wrong and how we can improve on what we are doing," he said. "Anyone out there who thinks they can assist us then give me a ring.

"It is a plea for help and a plea for support. I think we need it."

Evans can be contacted 01235 524442.

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