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Bombers struggling to sell out new stadium

Only a few fans take in Bomber practice on Wednesday September 18, 2013. Tamara Forlanski / Global News

Football fans aren’t rushing to get tickets to the game between the Canadian Football League’s two worst teams.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be back in action at Investors Group Field on Friday, against the Edmonton Eskimos.

Selling out the new stadium was a key part of the plan to help pay for it so empty seats are more bad news for the Winnipeg Football Club.

“i just don’t feel like wearing their stuff anymore,” said Gerard Peters, who chose to leave the Bomber gear at home Wednesday while he watched the team practice. “I do wear it sometimes but it’s shameful.”

Werner Roller has been a football fanatic for decades and is having a tough time cheering for this favorite team.

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“As a matter of fact I would go to the Bison’s games now,” said Werner, “They give me better entertainment.”

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He is not alone. Tickets to Friday’s match up against the league’s only other 2-9 team team aren’t too popular.

The Bombers wouldn’t tell Global News how many have been sold so far, however Ticketmaster’s website shows hundreds of seats, practically entire sections, are still available.

The team’s head coach acknowledged a sell out might not be possible.

“Probably not real surprised,” said Head Coach Tim Burke.

Only two of six home games so far have been in front of a full house.

Filling seats is a key part of the Blue and Gold’s game plan for paying back an $85 million loan from the province.

“The business plan is reasonable and realistic and we’re confident in our ability to achieve the results projected in that plan,” said the Board of Directors past chair Bill Watchorn during a press conference back in December 2010.

In a statement to Global News, the province said “Bomber fans are the most passionate in the CFL. They have always supported their team, through good times and bad. We have every expectation the Winnipeg Football Club will meet its loan obligations.”

The Bombers hope the fans haven’t written off the team.

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“Hopefully we can prove them wrong,” said Burke.

“People are trying to get better,” said slotback Terrence Edwards. “We are just trying to win a football game.”

There are four more regular season home games for the team this season.

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