SHARON Brittan has confirmed her “loyal support” for manager Ian Evatt after calls for change in some sections of the Bolton Wanderers fanbase.

The chairman issued a statement on the club’s official site which acknowledged some of the poor results which the team has registered this season, which has led to a feeling of frustration on the terraces.

That ill-feeling has spilled over on a few occasions, with supporters calling for Evatt to be sacked last weekend during a 2-0 home defeat to local rivals Wigan Athletic.

Bolton remain eighth in the table, 13 points behind Wycombe, who they face at Adams Park on Friday night, but also 11 points above the relegation zone.

The Whites are a point behind sixth-placed Reading and also have at least one game in hand on six of the seven clubs above them in the table.

Addressing the supporters, Ms Brittan wrote: “As we approach the festive season, I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Christmas is a time for togetherness, and on behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers, I want to thank our incredible fans for your loyal support throughout the year.

“Whether we’ve shared a chat in person, exchanged emails or welcomed some of you into the boardroom, your continued passion and dedication has been truly heartwarming. The exchanges with so many of you, where you kindly take the time to share your personal journeys with the club (both highs and lows!) over so many years, are wonderful to hear and confirm that we are indeed a traditional, community football club.

“We support each other and create special moments which live in our memories and are experienced with generations of our families which epitomise the power of football and why we love it so much and why it creates such an emotional journey.

“As Chairman of Bolton Wanderers, I would also like to take this moment to reaffirm my loyal support - and that of the entire club - for our manager, Ian Evatt, his staff and the players, and to highlight the strength of the journey we are all on together.

“I met with Ian and his staff and all the players last week and they are a special group of people who are fully committed to this football club and understand the task in hand this season; that we need to progress again. I think both loyalty and continuity bring long-term success and that is our model which I do believe is different from others. It definitely brings frustrations at times but getting to the top is never easy.

“Looking at the bigger picture, since Ian took charge in July 2020, this club has made consistent progress, season by season. The foundations he has built - both on and off the pitch - have been instrumental in driving us towards our ambitions.

“From winning promotion out of League Two at the first attempt to back-to-back appearances at Wembley, including lifting the club’s first silverware in over 30 years, and successive League One play-off campaigns, Ian’s contributions have been immeasurable. I am immensely proud of the legacy we are building together.

“None of us want to lose games. That sentiment is shared by me, the Board, Ian, and the team. After every match - whether we win, draw or lose - there is deep reflection and analysis as we continually work to improve. As a Board, we are not afraid to ask tough questions and challenge appropriately to ensure that we’re all playing our part to move this club forward.

“While some results this season have been unfavourable, we remain very much in contention for promotion. I truly believe in the progress we are making and remain confident in Ian’s leadership. His passion and vision for this club, along with the wider team of talented people at Bolton Wanderers, drive our shared commitment to take this club to the next level.

“When times are challenging, we must come together as a club, a community and a town - as we always do. Our collective focus must remain on achieving our ultimate goal: winning promotion to the Championship. Ian has the full trust of both the Board and investors and we are doing everything possible across the club and within the first-team to achieve that success.

“To our supporters, I trust in you as much as I ask you to trust in me and my belief in what we are doing together with our manager and team. Your incredible support has been, and will continue to be, vital to everything we do. Together, we can push forward, overcome challenges and achieve the success we all want for Bolton Wanderers. This journey of ours is unique and, in my opinion, is a marathon not a sprint.

“Thank you for your continued backing and dedication to the club.

“Let’s continue to move forward as One Club, One Community, One Town.”