Bolton Wanderers will commemorate the life of supporter Iain Purslow at tonight’s Emirates FA Cup tie against Luton Town at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
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 tonight’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.