New Boss Thankful Of Support

Boss Thanks Fans
By Mark Heys
October 29 2007

Gary Megson was full of praise for the Bolton Wanderers supporters who turned out during his first game in charge against Aston Villa and he says their involvement in the game helped to lift the players in what has been a turbulent few days at the Reebok Stadium.

Megson's appointment was widely criticised by sections of the Bolton faithful but they where in fine voice as Nicolas Anelka's seventh goal of the season helped the Trotters to a 1-1 draw which lifted them off the bottom of the table.

The new Wanderers boss also apologised at not having heard the crowd chant for him to wave at them shortly after Anelka had given Bolton a 22nd minute lead.

Chants of "Megson give us a wave" fell on deaf ears as the Bolton chief was understandably more concerned with what was happening in the right back area at the time and he admits he didn't hear the crowd.

"I didn't hear it. I'm a lot of things but I'm not rude or ignorant. If I've offended anyone I apologise for that." said Megson when informed that some of the fans had chanted for him.

"Our supporters were fantastic and behind both the team, me and the people at the club. We could not have played like that without that quality of support."

Just under 18,500 turned out for what was the Wanderers lowest Premiership crowd since the Reebok Stadium opened in 1997 and but for some dodgy officiating they could have witnessed only the second league victory of the season for Bolton.