Chairman Hits Out At Stay Away Fans

Last updated : 21 February 2005 By Mark Heys

Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has taken a swipe at the club's supporters after only 16,000 people turned up for the FA Cup Fifth round win against Fulham on Saturday.

Gartside was left disappointed at the fact that people did not take advantage of the club's decision to lower the prices for the game and hopes for a better turn out in the next round as Bolton face a home tie against either Arsenal or Sheffield United.

"We've dropped prices considerably and we're seventh in The Premiership and in the fifth round of the cup, I would expect that to entice more people to come. 7,000 of our season ticket holders didn't turn up." Gartside told Sky Sports

"I got heavily criticised a year ago for a ticket allocation for the Carling Cup final at Cardiff - but when your own fans don't turn up for home games it is disappointing.

"You have got to look at where we are and our performances this season. We're an entertaining team; we score plenty of goals and we've got international players in the team.

"I would urge [the fans] to get down and support us this time because, not only did they let the team down, but you let yourselves down because people have criticised the team for not getting the support."