IT'S been a hairy few months for a Bolton Wanderers fan, after he took on a bet to not shave until his team won an away game.

Damien Hardy, of Arthur Street in Leigh, went 495 days without shaving his beard, after making the bet with friends in April last year.

So it was a double celebration when the Whites secured a 2-1 win against AFC Wimbledon on August 13 and he was able to finally rid himself of his overgrown facial hair.

The father-of-four, who has now gone back to sporting his usual "slight bit of stubble", said: "I had no idea it would go on for as long as it did.

"It was hard work.

"I have been bald since I was about 23 so I have never had hair.

"I was having to get up earlier to take care of it because it would get food stuck in it and all sorts.

"I would never do it again."

Before their recent win Bolton Wanderers had last won away from the Macron Stadium back in April 6 last year, against Cardiff.

The 30-year-old car mechanic added: "I was tempted at times to shave it off at times but I knew I had to stick to it.

"The friend that bet me is glad that I have been able to shave it off though, he said it had started to look ridiculous.

"And my kids will actually kiss me now as well they didn't like the beard."

Mr Hardy, who has supported the Whites since he was five-years-old, said his partner Gemma had mixed opinions on his long facial locks.

He added: "She hated it but now she said she can't look at me either.

"She didn't recognise me and said it had taken about 10 years off me."

And now, without any ulterior motive, Mr Hardy hopes his football team continue their winning streak.

He said: "We just need to get some stability back and start bringing ourselves up again, it isn't going to happen all of a sudden but we can do it."