Raith boss Ray McKinnon has issued a rallying call to the club’s stay-away fans ahead of tomorrow’s crunch Championship clash with Hibs.
Rovers have made a great start to the season and will move back into second place in the league if they can beat Alan Stubbs’ side at Stark’s Park.
However, despite the exciting opening to the campaign, the Kirkcaldy public have been reluctant to come out and fully back the team with crowds only edging up slightly.
McKinnon is hoping if his players can continue doing the business on the park, then crowds may lift significantly off it.
He is fully aware there is an appetite for live sporting action in the town with ice hockey side Fife Flyers attracting regular crowds of well in excess of 2,000 for their home games.
The manager said: “Hibs are a right good side and both teams are on a fine run of form.
“I think it will be a cracker and I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.
“The more fans that come along the better. The bigger support it is, the better it is for the players.
“I’m sure Hibs will be well supported on Saturday, it would be nice if we can match their fan base, which I’m sure we will.
“We’re just trying to grow the numbers coming to the park every week and that in turn is better for the club financially.
He added: “We’re doing well and we hope the fans come out to support us, which they have done already. They’ve been fantastic and hopefully they can bring some people along with them.
“They’ve been trying to do it for the last 10 years but it’s not really happened. Folk talk about a generation gap or whatever it is, they’re all going to the Fife Flyers.
“It’s going to be difficult and the only way you can do it is if you’re successful on the park.
“That’s difficult when you have Rangers and Hibs in the league.
“The ice hockey gets a bigger crowd on a Saturday night. They need to bridge that gap and bring a new generation along. Hopefully we can entice people along.
“I’ll keep trying to do my side on the park and hopefully the board can help with getting fans along.
“I was down at the stadium the other night selling tickets in the office so we’re all helping out.”