ONE of Bolton Wanderers’ most devoted and recognisable supporters, Ruth Crawshaw, has passed away after a short illness at the age of 82.

Mrs Crawshaw was known to thousands of fans for her tireless efforts following Wanderers and for selling programmes outside Burnden Park, which she continued to do into her late seventies after the move to the Reebok in 1997.

In 2014, she was given the George Warburton Outstanding Service Award by the club, have been by that point an ever-present at games home and away for six decades.

She also cut the first sod on the club’s behalf for the construction of the Nat Lofthouse statue in 2012.

Mrs Crawshaw, from Breightmet, attended her first Wanderers game in 1957, aged 15, with Bolton taking on CSKA Moscow at Burnden Park.

The Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust also recognised Mrs Crawshaw’s devotion to the club at the end of last season, giving her the Lifetime Achievement award at a time when her health issues had limited how much live football she could watch but she remained a season ticket holder.

An avoid programme collector and seller who spent much of her working life on the railways, Mrs Crawhsaw worked for many years selling the club’s publications in all weathers and would also organise programme fairs at Burnden.

A message on social media from family member Leon Hunt read: “It is with great sadness that I today announce the passing of arguably Bolton Wanderers' number one supporter Mrs Ruth Crawshaw. Many will know Ruth from her programme selling, collecting and dealing. Rest in peace Ruth, you will be missed by us all.”