Hawke urges stay-away fans back

Chris Tait • Published 26 Jun 2010 14:00 0 Comments

WARREN HAWKE has urged stay-away Ton fans to return to Cappielow this season - and insists a boisterous home support can have a telling effect on the players.

Hawke watched numerous home matches last season through his media work and he was disheartened to see a series of depleted crowds backing his former side's successful bid to avoid relegation.

Now the retired striker is desperate to see the numbers boosted in the new season.

And he feels the atmosphere that would be created could make a huge difference to his former team's performances on the pitch.

He said: "There's no doubt about it, I love coming down to Cappielow.

"I saw quite a few games last year working for the press and I'm looking for better things this year.

"I probably saw the majority of home games between Christmas and the end of the season.

"It was difficult to see the team struggle and seeing only 1,200 fans turning up for home games.

"It has a detrimental effect on the club and its finances.

"It's difficult for the players to play in an empty stadium and it's hard for the supporters to create the type of atmosphere that they want to be part of.

"Morton need a big rallying cry and - as an ex-player - I'd love to see the crowds coming back at the start of the season and giving the players and new manager a chance.

"Five or six years ago, win, lose or draw, Morton were always guaranteed around 2,000 fans and obviously that has dropped off.

"For a Morton player it is great to be playing in front of a big crowd.

"It's an intimidating atmosphere and it really does give the blue and white hoops a big edge."

The drop in attendances has had an effect on the club's finances, but Hawke believes the high number of call-offs also had a major impact.

He said: "It would partly have been because the team were struggling, but there's nothing worse than games being called off on a Saturday.

"Every game that gets called off and has to be played on a Tuesday night must cost Morton five figures."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 26 Jun 10

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