Ahead of our opening league fixture at the Toughsheet Community Stadium this weekend against Wrexham, Bolton Wanderers would like to remind fans on supporter behaviour in and around matchday.
Over 24,000 supporters will be inside the Toughsheet on Sunday afternoon as Wanderers look to continue their positive start to the season when welcoming the promoted side to Bolton in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Your fantastic support has already been felt from the stands this season, with a sold out away end roaring Wanderers to victory at Leyton Orient on the opening day – and the players need to feed off your backing once again this weekend.
But as we open up our league fixtures at home, the club must remind supporters of the importance of a safe and inclusive environment for all inside the stadium this weekend.
Entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and drug use are all behaviours not tolerated at any Bolton Wanderers fixture. This also includes discriminatory behaviour, in which abuse using homophobic, racist or religious language is used.
All of these acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences. They have no place in football, or anywhere.
We know these behaviours do not represent the majority of Wanderers’ fans who will show their support in a positive way on Sunday, helping to create a fantastic but safe experience for all.
Neil Hart, Chief Executive Officer at Bolton Wanderers, said: “The first home game of the league season is always one that brings excitement for supporters and Sunday fits that bill perfectly.
“With a huge crowd expected this weekend, anticipation for the game is high, meaning the safety of everyone attending the game is of utmost importance to the club.
“Football is an incredibly emotive sport and can bring together thousands of people from various backgrounds in such a positive way. However, we must not tolerate incidents that cross over into serious and illegal behaviour, including the use of discriminatory language or prejudiced behaviour. As a club this is not something that we will tolerate, with those displaying these behaviours facing both club and criminal sanctions as a result.
“We would like to stress to supporters that the club will receive a substantial five-figure fine should actions cross the line this weekend, including supporter chants that have seen clubs fined elsewhere in the EFL – money that can be used in productive ways across various areas of the club.
“We’ve seen the impact a positive environment can have on the players on a matchday at the Toughsheet, and we hope to see that once again this weekend.“