A BOLTON Wanderers fan, who has been to every home game this season despite living 130 miles away, has spoken of his glee at the Whites’ great escape.

Liam Yates, from Grantham, has never lived in Bolton but has supported Wanderers since he was young, when he was first introduced to the team by his father, who grew up in Harwood.

The 25-year-old is a season ticket holder and, in spite of a 260-mile round-trip, he did not miss a single home Championship game in the 2017/18 season.

Mr Yates was rewarded for his efforts by a dramatic 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest on May 6 to stop Wanderers being relegated to League One – a match he described as his “favourite moment” while following the team.

The side came up with an incredible victory when two goals in the final three minutes from David Wheater and Aaron Wilbraham gave them the three vital points.

He said: “It was incredible. At 2-1 down I thought we had absolutely no hope and we were down, and even when we got the equaliser I still don’t think anyone thought it was going to happen.

“But, when the winner went in it was like slow-motion, I just couldn’t believe it. It’s my favourite moment following the team. I loved last season but the way we did it against Forest was just amazing.”

Mr Yates glee was even featured in The Bolton News, making the front page of our Monday, May 7, edition which had a special ‘Great Escape’ feature.

The pharmacy worker said he is always being questioned about his love for Bolton but that it stems from his dad taking him to games as a child, including a few of Wanderers’ last games at their old stadium, Burnden Park.

He said: “Most people at work find it strange that I travel all that way to watch games and people always ask me why I choose to follow Bolton.”

He went on to say that he was optimistic about the upcoming season and backed manager Phil Parkinson to improve the team.