TWO conclusive victories at the start of their campaign have taken St Albans City FC to the top of the Ryman Premier Division, but the community remain stubbornly underwhelmed.

Only 326 saw their opener against Ford United on a glorious Saturday afternoon, and co-manager Gary Roberts believes this figure needs to improve if the club are to maintain any sort of challenge this season.

"Maybe people have been holding back, to see what sort of start we make, but we need to get 500 through gates regularly. That is probably the only problem at the club now.

"Steve (Cook, co-manager) and I saw the support for the club at that meeting (when John Gibson was introduced as new chairman) and thought it would go on from there, but it hasn't happened.

"It's frustrating for the players. I was pleased with the support we took to Aylesbury. I think we outnumbered and out-shouted them. We need that. We've got some big game players here now who respond to that atmosphere."

August 23, 2002 11:30