A MAN was left perplexed after he was unable to buy tickets the forthcoming Bolton Wanderers game against Leeds United because he had not bought one before.

Colin Shields made the journey from his home in Black Horse Street, Blackrod, to the Macron and tried to purchase two tickets for the game on Sunday, August 6.

Mr Shields is not a Bolton fan, but the tickets were meant as a birthday present for his ex-partner.

But when he got to the shop at the stadium, he was told that because he had not bought a ticket before, and had no previous booking history, then the club could not sell one to him.

Mr Shields, aged 61, said: "I tried to purchase two tickets for the Bolton v Leeds game. I had gone up to the ground in the morning with all of the cash and my bank card on me.

"But I was told that we could not purchase the tickets because I did not have a booking history.

"Why would a club in serious financial difficulties turn away money? I live in Blackrod, it is not as if I am coming all the way from Leeds.

"I just do not understand that a club going through what it is going through is turning away money. How will I be able to get a ticket?

"It is my ex-partner's birthday and she is a Leeds United fan but she never gets to see them.

"I thought 'here's a chance' and thought we could go and see the team. We could obviously watch it on TV, but it is not the same.

"So I went to the stadium to purchase two tickets and they turned me away. How do I get a ticket? It just seems like complete stupidity."

No clubs in the country allow visiting supporters to sit in the home sections for matches and for Wanderers, tickets for big matches are only sold to people who have a booking history.

Therefore anyone who wanted to buy a ticket for the first time for the Leeds and Wanderers match would not be able to.

A spokesman for Bolton Wanderers said: "It is against ground and FA regulations to allow visiting supporters in home areas of Macron stadium.

"Visiting clubs receive an allocation of tickets for their own supporters.

"For certain matches, like the Leeds United game, where there is likely to be a large demand, we implement the previous booking history policy to ensure that only Bolton Wanderers supporters can purchase tickets in the home sections.

"This is done to ensure the safety and enjoyment for all attendees."

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