MORE than 100 Bolton Wanderers fans took part in a march demanding the resignation of club chairman Phil Gartside.

The protesters walked from the Barnstormers Pub in Lostock Lane to the Macron Stadium, chanting ‘Gartside Out’ and ‘We’ll Fight For Our Club’, before rallying outside the ground ahead of the team’s clash with AFC Bournemouth.

At kick-off, a banner with the words “One Down, One to Go: Gartside Out” was unveiled in one of the stands before it was confiscated by security guards.

Mr Gartside has faced increasing pressure from fans to step down after the team’s lacklustre performances over recent months.

Manager Dougie Freedman left the club by mutual consent on Friday, with goalkeeping coach Lee Turner and player-coach Andy Hughes placed in temporary charge for Saturday’s match, which the Whites lost 2-1.

Nick Parton, who invaded the pitch during Wanderers’ defeat to Derby County, marched to the stadium with the protesters but wasn’t allowed inside.

He said: “I have a meeting with the club on Monday to find out the extent of my ban. A lot of fans are very angry, and the club deserves a decent manager.

“At the end of the day if we didn’t care about the club we wouldn’t be here, doing what we’re doing.”

Tony Tatton created the Facebook group that organised Saturday’s protest, and said while he was disappointed with the turnout the march reflected the mood among many Whites fans.

He said: “It’s definitely not enough that Dougie has gone, Gartside needs to go to.

“He’s just let the club down, there’s been a run of bad decisions in recent years.

“There’s no communication with the club, and the fans don’t have a voice.”

He added: “Hopefully with Freedman gone this can be the start of a new era for the club.”

The Bolton News: