KEITH Curle says he was delighted to meet Oldham Athletic fans for the first time since taking charge.

Yesterday's win at non-league Ashton United was the first time since Curle was appointed as head coach in March that a game had been played with supporters present.

All of the 14 League Two games that he took charge of after succeeding Harry Kewell were played behind closed doors.

But with restrictions on sporting events eased, Latics fans made up the majority of the 875 inside Ashton's Hurst Cross Stadium.

"It's fantastic to see fans. It's nice to go out and have an opportunity to meet the fans and for the fans to see me face to face," said Curle, who is looking to engage with Latics' fanbase.

"I signed some autographs and that's something we're trying to encourage. We had players signing autographs and having photographs. That's what these games are about, having the opportunity for the fans to get up close and personal with their football club."

"I'm a people person. I want the supporters to know that I respect the position that I've got as representative of their football team."

With one more friendly to play before they host their first at Boundary Park, against Wigan on Saturday, Curle added: "The fans have been desperate to come and watch and they will be desperate to come back into Boundary Park and watch their team play and win."