Bolton Wanderers fans urged to behave at Wigan Athletic by club chairman Sharon Brittan

WANDERERS chairman Sharon Brittan has sent a plea to the club’s supporters ahead of tonight’s derby game at Wigan Athletic.

A sell-out away contingent of more than 4,700 Bolton fans will descend on the DW Stadium tonight hoping to see their side progress to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The fixture has been blighted by crowd trouble in the past, particularly in Wanderers’ last visit in 2019 which led to four arrests after fighting broke out inside the ground.

Brittan hopes Bolton fans will enjoy their night and back their club in the right way.

“The support we have received this season, both home and away, has been astonishing,” she said.

“From the opening day game against MK Dons where over 16,000 supporters got behind the players at the University of Bolton Stadium, to the sell-out away allocations at AFC Wimbledon and Lincoln City, your support, after such a long period of absence, is indicative of just how much our club means to you.

“That passion sets Bolton Wanderers apart in my opinion and inspires not just the players but all the staff at the club.

“Tonight, we make the short journey to play our neighbours Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup second round where just over 4,700 Wanderers fans will fill the away end at the DW Stadium.

“Derby games, such as these, have extra intensity and I’ve no doubt that everybody connected to the club, myself included, have looked forward to this tie ever since the draw was made.

“That we sold out of the tickets in only a short period of time clearly shows how much following Bolton Wanderers means to us all. I’m sure we would have sold many more if there had been any extra available!

“For a very small minority, though, that passion and intensity may become uncontrolled and could possibly lead to some unsavoury actions which are not representative of what our football club stands for.

“I speak on behalf of the vast majority of Bolton Wanderers fans who hold our values of respect, kinship and tolerance dearly when I urge you to get behind the players in full voice but please remember who and what you are representing.

“Our football club means so much to so many, so let’s do our club, our town and our community proud tonight.”

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