Bolton Wanderers have took to pay tribute after the death of a supporter as fans take to criticise The Sun over their ‘disgusting headline’.
The lifelong Trotters supporter Iain Purslow was sadly taken ill in the stands on the 29th minute of the game against Cheltenham Town.
Referee Sunny Singh Gill took the players off the pitch just after 3:30pm on Saturday with medics quickly attending to the fan with the League One fixture officially abandoned come 4pm.
Bolton said the fan had suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital.
This afternoon’s home game against Cheltenham Town was called off due to a medical emergency in the crowd.
Click below for further information. #bwfc
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) January 13, 2024
In their first statement, they said: “Wanderers’ League One fixture at home to Cheltenham Town was called off following a medical emergency in the crowd.
“A supporter in the East Stand suffered a suspected cardiac arrest around 30 minutes into the game at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
“The man was treated by medical staff and paramedics at the scene, while the two teams were taken off the pitch.
“Following sustained attempts to revive the patient, he was taken to the first-aid room at the stadium and the match was abandoned shortly after 4pm.
“The supporter was subsequently taken to hospital and the thoughts of everyone at Bolton Wanderers are with him and his family and all those impacted by this distressing incident.
“An update on the supporter’s condition will follow.
Details regarding a new date and ticket refunds/arrangements for the fixture will be released in due course.”
Bolton Wanderers are deeply saddened to confirm that the supporter taken ill at yesterday afternoon’s home fixture against Cheltenham Town has passed away.
Rest in peace, Iain 🤍
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) January 14, 2024
In their second update a day later, they added: “Bolton Wanderers are deeply saddened to confirm that the supporter taken ill at yesterday afternoon’s home fixture against Cheltenham Town has passed away.
“Lifelong fan Iain Purslow suffered a suspected cardiac arrest during the first half of the game.
“The 71-year-old was given sustained CPR treatment by medical staff and paramedics at the stadium before being taken to hospital where he tragically died.
“Iain, who lives in Oldham, was at the game supporting the Whites with his son Stuart.
“Club Chaplain Phil Mason remained with family members later in the day and the Club will continue to offer the family all the support and care they can – as well as looking to offer support to anyone else impacted by this distressing incident.
“The thoughts of everyone connected to Bolton Wanderers are with Iain’s family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.
“Iain will be remembered at Wanderers’ FA Cup third-round replay at home to Luton Town on Tuesday night.
“Saturday’s League One fixture against Cheltenham Town – which will be re-arranged in due course – was called off shortly after 4pm in agreement with referee Sunny Singh Gill and both teams around half an hour after the players were taken off the pitch when the incident first occurred.
“Wanderers would also like to thank all those supporters and medical staff who provided assistance, and for the cooperation and understanding of everyone inside the stadium – including our visitors from Cheltenham – on Saturday.”
The Sun published a story in the newspaper on the incident, but went with a grim headline, “FOOTIE BINNED… OVER ILL FAN”.
How distasteful is this headline from The Sun, reporting why Bolton’s game was abandoned yesterday… 😒 pic.twitter.com/DRcfSxp69B
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) January 14, 2024
What a truly disgusting headline from The Sun.
A poor soul at Bolton has a CARDIAC ARREST and CPR in the stands for 20 minutes before being taken to an ambulance.
An awful experience for all present.
Yet this what they come up with. Reprehensible. #bwfc https://t.co/7qkMLOMCTi
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) January 14, 2024
As Bolton Wanderers to pay tribute after the death of supporter was confirmed, fans criticise The Sun over what they said in the ‘disgusting headline’ they used…
@potter1989bwfc: Ban them @OfficialBWFC @BrittanToby. We don’t want the SCUM in our ground or anywhere near our club.
@t462819104: The sun, no one is shocked
@EdwardCoca1:
It’s no surprise.
It’s The Sun.
It’s 2024.
Why are people reading this toilet paper?
@ks_mikey: If ever you need yet another reason to #BoycottTheSun, this is it. Trust @OfficialBWFC will make an official complaint as should the @EFL and @FA. Some things are more important than football -people for a start. The fan was having a heart attack #BWFC
@EddyGray19: Sadly we aren’t surprised. This paper should have been ended decades ago
@alimullaley: Don’t buy The S*n
@ctfc_b: Absolute fucking vermin, imagine how terribly your career must be going to work for the Sun.
@PaulMancs: I want to be outraged by this headline but given it’s the S*n I’m not surprised. Considering it’s just been announced ‘ILL fan’ has passed away they should be ashamed. Nothing not even football is more important than a life. #BWFC #NFFC
@Ken_Higman_Food: No genuine football fan should ever buy the Sun. There is no reason too and plenty of reasons not to. Do yourselves a favour and #dontbuythesun
@TheDB30: Leopards don’t change their spots. Horrid rag, always have been, always will be.
@ZakHayes6: The fact people still read and buy this paper fully fries my head. It never stops being an absolute disgrace
@dermo_02: The Sun misjudging the nature of a serious situation and getting it completely wrong? Imagine my shock
@jkecrx: Ban them @OfficialBWFC fuck the sun
@felthambboy: Don’t buy the sun
@_jordanhookway: Disgusting from @TheSun . How fucking thoughtless, I’m not surprised tbf. Someone being severely poorly at a football match doesn’t not require that headline. Unlike you, our #bwfc fans and opposition #ctfc fans treated the matter with care and class. Not to mention the medics and those on site first. They deserve respect along with the family of the person taken ill. At the end of the day, Football is just a game. Health is so much more important.
@wezhayes89: @TheSun @TheSunFootball this is absolutely vile how do these journalists get away with it all the time @OfficialBWFC keep them away from are club #oino
@rmabolton: Congratulations to @TheSun , just when you think they can’t get any lower or more irrelevant, they manage to sink even lower. That is someone’s father, brother, son & all you can think of is some ghoulish & pointless headline. Absolute scum.
@poppypscupcakes: This is why we should all boycott @TheSunFootball @TheSun Disgraceful headlines, have some empathy!
@9_Hendo: Absolute gutter rag in general outdoing themselves yet again… #DontBuyTheSun
You must be logged in to post a comment Login