Bolton take action over The Sun who apologise for their insensitive headline on fan who died

Bolton Wanderers take action over The Sun who have subsequently took to apologise for their insensitive headline on the fan who sadly died.

Saturday’s League One fixture against Cheltenham Town was abandoned when a supporter fell ill and later confirmed that Iain Purslow, 71, had passed away after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.

The club are due to pay their respects in Tuesday night’s game with a minute’s silence and wearing black armbands while also flying the flags at half-mast.

The Bolton News states that they understand ‘The Sun newspaper have had their access withdrawn for the FA Cup Third Round Replay against Luton Town.’

The Sun printed a headline which read: “Footie binned… Over ill fan’.

After huge complaints, The Sun have issued a statement, saying: “Then Sun apologises for the headline in the news pages of the print edition of Sunday’s paper about Bolton fan Iain Purslow, which was insensitive. Our condolences to Iain’s family and friends.”

The Bolton News understands that The Sun newspaper have had their access withdrawn for the FA Cup third round replay against Luton Town tomorrow night👏

Well done Bolton Wanderers what the newspaper done in yesterday’s paper was disgusting and vile!!#EFL #bwfc pic.twitter.com/NaQT8mkt8H

— League 1 news (@League1news22) January 15, 2024

Bolton said they had been left deeply saddened in confirming the loss of one of their own after the supporter was taken ill.

A statement read: “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.

Forever a Wanderer. 🤍#bwfc

— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) January 15, 2024

Bolton Wanderers are commemorate the life of Iain Purslow on Tuesday night with members of his family to be in attendance..

The club said: “Iain, who was a season-ticket holder and lifelong fan of the Whites, was taken ill at Saturday’s home fixture against Cheltenham Town and tragically died later that afternoon.

“In agreement with Iain’s family, some of whom will be in attendance at Tuesday night’s game, Wanderers’ players and stewards will wear black armbands in his memory and the club is asking all supporters present in the stadium to take part in a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off.

“To celebrate Iain’s life, a round of applause will also take place in the 71st minute of the game – the age Iain was when he passed away.

“The club’s exterior flags are all now set to half-mast.

“Following what has been a difficult and distressing few days for all involved, the club would like to express its heartfelt thanks to those who were directly involved in the extensive efforts to save Iain’s life on Saturday afternoon, including Lee Parker, a photographer and former paramedic who was first on the scene, supporters Dr Simon Irving, Dr Syed Bokhari and James Bracegirdle, steward Gerald McManus and the club’s medical team and Northwest Ambulance Service’s medical staff.  

“We would also like to thank the many Wanderers’ supporters, all those connected with Cheltenham Town, and the wider football community for the warmth, compassion and love they have shown Iain’s family and the club since Saturday.  

“Finally, we also acknowledge that the traumatic events that unfolded at the weekend may have deeply affected those who were close to the scene or in attendance at the stadium. If you would like to access support, you can contact the MIND helpline on 0300 123 3393 or our Club Chaplain, Phil Mason, on pmason@bwfc.co.uk.”

“We are all extremely saddened by the loss of one of our own, and we will pay our respects tomorrow night.”

Ian Evatt speaks ahead of our game with Luton Town…#bwfc

— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) January 15, 2024

During his press conference, Ian Evatt paid tribute and sent his condolences to the family of Iain Purslow.

“It’s extremely sad – one of the BWFC family,” said Evatt. “We are very much united at this football club and we are all extremely saddened by the loss of one of our own.

“I have to say it’s not about anybody else, but the family. We respect the family and we give them the peace and time to mourn that they deserve and it’s not about anything else but that.

“We will pay our respects tomorrow night. We will try to play the best we can to show and pay our respects to one of our brilliant fans who wouldn’t want anything else other than to see us play really well and win the game, and we’ll do all we can to try and make that happen.”

The Wanderers’ players will wear black armbands and supporters are also invited to join in a round of applause in the 71st minute of the game to celebrate Iain’s life.

Bolton Wanderers take action over The Sun who apologise for their insensitive headline on the fan who sadly died at the weekend…

@colwebs: Well done Bolton. Hope it’s done permanently and other clubs follow…

@jordan1236543: 👍 And then permanently… hopefully

@loftinopanevino: The whole @EFL should follow suit in solidarity

@redandgreen21: All clubs should do this. And should have done it after the disgusting Hillsborough lies and smears!

@Bretheren: Ban them from all football grounds. Well done @OfficialBWFC

@beardedtyke: Every club should follow suit. They’re a disgrace

@Peterkay2k11: Good I think all other clubs should do the same

@FFSKarz: It’s always been a disgrace and it’s a crying shame that it hasn’t gone the same way as its former Sunday equivalent. #dontbuythesun

@BarbaraGouldin8: Well done BWFC proud to be a Boltonion ⚽💪

@SteveP47824112: Great stuff. Weldone 👋👋👋

@MikePea73444529: Well played Bolton.

@paulaxmark: Well done Bolton , more teams should follow , R.I.P to the fan ⚽️

@bluebreaksllc: 100% fully behind this!

@JoePowe28862766: All clubs should be doing the same.

@Wolves24071956: Shame on The Sun news agency, once more they have jumped to the bottom of the barrel, some poor soul lost his life

@Liverpoolbadges: Well done @OfficialBWFC. Now… withdraw their access to every game now and going forward..

@BrianDurand56: Welcome to the club Bolton Wanderers.

@JamesMinghella:
Ban that rag for good.
All clubs should take note.
Its happened too many times.

@IanWhite_PAFC: Fantastic, now let’s see other clubs follow suit

@Nick_clarke99: Be more Bolton! Kick the S*n in the bin

@miftweet: Every other football club should do the same.

@FootyGirlsPlay2: Hope they’re never allowed back into the ground again! Absolute disgrace!