Bolton Wanderers supporters have tonight delayed kick off for their Championship match against West Bromwich Albion in protest at their club’s chairman Ken Anderson.
The scenes saw several fans throw tennis balls from the stands. Whilst they were being removed, the game was delayed for three minutes. Watch some of what happened below…
? – A slight delay to kick-off tonight as the Bolton fans' protests spill onto the pitch…
Watch @OfficialBWFC take on @WBA live on Sky Sports Football now: https://t.co/abJbfb7irc pic.twitter.com/CT3v4QDlBp
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 21, 2019
Meanwhile in Bolton. #NUFCpic.twitter.com/2bI0KLHkOa
— If Rafa Goes We Go (@IfRafaGoesWeGo) January 21, 2019
It reported that an estimate 3,000 to 4,000 Bolton fans marched and held up ‘Anderson Out’ banners in a peaceful protest outside the ground which also had some abusive chants.
Thousands of fans march around the University of Bolton Stadium in unison in protest of the current owner Ken Anderson #BWFC pic.twitter.com/7ZnbCLMrkk
— Jam Williams-Thomas (@JamAntonioITV) January 21, 2019
Jay Freeman of BBC Sport gave a further update during the game, he said: “Unfortunately there were some unsavoury scenes in the stand opposite us as one fan leapt into the private box in an attempt to stop the stewards from taking away an ‘Anderson Out’ banner.
“It looked to me as if the guy was then dragged away by the stewards down the stairs of the stand, causing the 1,000 or so fans in the area to react angrily and try to then drag him back off them.
“In the end, the police came up to barricade the area and two fans look to have been taken away.
“Thankfully it seems to have calmed down a little now.”
Bolton legend spoke to Sky Sports before the game, he said: “There has been total mismanagement.
“There is a genuine fear for the club. You see the passion from the supporters, the genuine passion and love for the football club. The town is proud of the football club, but our good name has been dragged through the mud. I’m not so sure [Ken Anderson] will take notice, but if you don’t do anything, nothing will ever happen.”
As Bolton didn’t have a game on over the weekend, fans were invited and attended Forest Green Rovers’ game against Bury by owner Dale Vince, as a gesture or you could say in protest of the Trotter chairman, however some were taunted and ran at by the Shakers fans.
It comes after he revealed his anger at how the Championship club have treated Christian Doidge, a player who initially joined the Trotters on loan in August, with the deal to be made permanent in January. However a registration embargo meant the deal had collapsed.
After watching or reading of the pitch invasion and scenes from the stands, fans took to give their reaction to it all unfolding – take a look at what they had to say on the next page.
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