DIE-hard football fans, who travelled 250 miles on Saturday only to find Wanderers’ match had been postponed, refused to let their away day become a damp squib.

Frank Sebem and nine pals booked their seaside trip pre-season, after finding out the Whites would be facing Phil Brown’s Southend United on January 21.

But after a five-hour minibus trip to find out the Shrimpers’ frozen pitch was unplayable, their trip turned into an away day odyssey featuring boozers, betting and a disgruntled Bolton beat combo.

“We hired a minibus and set off from Astley at 6am on Saturday and arrived at Southend at around 11am,” said Mr Sebem, aged 53.

“We parked the minibus in Romford and got a train, which took about 45 minutes to Prittlewell Station, near Southend’s ground, Roots Hall.

“We only found out the match was cancelled literally as we stepped off the train.”

Unperturbed, they did what any self-respecting football fan does when the chips are down – they hit the pub.

“Of course, we had no option but to sample as many bars, inns and hostelries as possible,” said Mr Sebem, from Astley.

“It would be fair to say that we had one or two too many beers, although it was all in fantastic spirits.

“In fact, some locals who were wearing home colours asked to have their pictures taken with us.”

Having not been able to flex their vocal chords in the stands, they even tried to track down somewhere for a rendition of ‘Walking Down the Manny Road’.

Mr Sebem said: “Whilst on the seafront in Southend we tried in vain to find a karaoke bar to sing away our blues, but it wasn't to be.

“However, due to this karaoke pub hunt we ended up at Romford Greyhound Stadium, where we lost what money we hadn't drank.”

It’s since emerged that Southend United’s groundsman has been sacked following the postponed game.

And it’s something that fellow Wanderer’s fan Gareth ‘Gazmond’ Lucas can sympathise with.

Mr Sebem explained: “Gareth was probably annoyed more than any of us because he’s in a local Bolton band called Echobox.

“He cancelled a well-paid gig that day so he could come to Southend with us. Ironically, it would have been his first ever football match.

“For his trouble he actually got sacked from his band. Therefore, the groundsman wasn't the only one who lost his job.

“But Gareth saw the funny side of things.”

And what of the cost to these intrepid adventurers?

“We had accounted for our minibus and hotel. What we hadn't accounted for was a whole day in various pubs singing, drinking and laughing.

“It should have been £200 each and turned out to be about £400 each.

“To be fair, whilst we were initially very disappointed at the game being called off, it turned out to be a great day. Albeit, with no football match.”