BOLTON Wanderers enjoyed an ecstatic welcome for the first home match of the season.

Supporters turned out in force and were thrilled to witness their heroes' second victory in succession.

More than 20,000 fans cheered them on against Middlesbrough -- and even Lofty the Lion had a new trendy quiff haircut for the occasion.

Many fans made a family outing of the big night and even the miserable weather could not keep football fever at bay.

Karen Roberts from Bromley Cross has been a loyal Wanderers fan for as long as she can remember and had raced back from a day out in Llandudno with her 12 year-old son Jay and his pal Tom Stubbs, also aged 12, for the match.

She said: "We just couldn't believe the result on Saturday -- we love the Wanderers to death and watched that match on television.

"But tonight is really exciting and there is a buzz about being back in the Premiership."

John Bowden, aged 53, and his 18-year-old daughter Suzanne, from Sharples, were also still reeling from the thrill of Wanderers' first win of the season. Suzanne said: "We are all loyal fans, but I've not got much choice -- I'd get killed if I didn't support them!"

Yvonne Kendrick and her partner Anthony Kendrick, from Leigh, not only share the same surname by coincidence, but fell in love because of a shared interest in Wanderers.

They had brought along Yvonne's 11-year-old daughter Kate Mannion, and Anthony's 16-year-old son Gregory Kendrick, who are also both big fans.

Kate said: "I'm going to more and more games and loved it at Cardiff, but am really excited about tonight."

The Abbey family from Morris Green are busy teaching their young daughters the way of the Whites.

Dad Mark, aged 36, said: "It's a real buzz to be here tonight -- we are training the girls to be Wanderers fans and keep up the good work."

The match kicked off to an explosive start thanks to a spectacular firework display and even the rain lifted to help Wanderers to victory.

Fans might not have had the thrill of seeing five goals in one match, but they still raised the roof for the one goal of the game.

Mark Brabin, from Great Lever, and his friend Paul Stevens, from Little Hulton, were both over the moon with Michael Ricketts' goal and the overall performance of their heroes.

Mark said: "It's been absolutely brilliant -- we watched Saturday's match on telly -- but to be here tonight is even better."

Head of Top o'th' Brow Primary School, Chris Caldwell, and his daughter Gill Caldwell, had an extra special reason to toast the Wanderers victory as Gill was celebrating her 33rd birthday.

She said: "We used to come to Burnden as well and have had the same seats here with our season tickets for the past four years."

Her father said: "We will certainly be having a few drinks on the way home tonight to celebrate Gill's birthday and the big wi n." BOLTON Wanderers enjoyed an ecstatic welcome for the first home match of the season.

Supporters turned out in force and were thrilled to witness their heroes' second victory in succession.

More than 20,000 fans cheered them on against Middlesbrough -- and even Lofty the Lion had a new trendy quiff haircut for the occasion.

Many fans made a family outing of the big night and even the miserable weather could not keep football fever at bay.

Karen Roberts from Bromley Cross has been a loyal Wanderers fan for as long as she can remember and had raced back from a day out in Llandudno with her 12 year-old son Jay and his pal Tom Stubbs, also aged 12, for the match.

She said: "We just couldn't believe the result on Saturday -- we love the Wanderers to death and watched that match on television.

"But tonight is really exciting and there is a buzz about being back in the Premiership."

John Bowden, aged 53, and his 18-year-old daughter Suzanne, from Sharples, were also still reeling from the thrill of Wanderers' first win of the season.

Suzanne said: "We are all loyal fans, but I've not got much choice -- I'd get killed if I didn't support them!"

Yvonne Kendrick and her partner Anthony Kendrick, from Leigh, not only share the same surname by coincidence, but fell in love because of a shared interest in Wanderers.

They had brought along Yvonne's 11-year-old daughter Kate Mannion, and Anthony's 16-year-old son Gregory Kendrick, who are also both big fans.

Excited

Kate said: "I'm going to more and more games and loved it at Cardiff, but am really excited about tonight."

The Abbey family from Morris Green are busy teaching their young daughters the way of the Whites.

Dad Mark, aged 36, said: "It's a real buzz to be here tonight -- we are training the girls to be Wanderers fans and keep up the good work."

The match kicked off to an explosive start thanks to a spectacular firework display and even the rain lifted to help Wanderers to victory.

Fans might not have had the thrill of seeing five goals in one match, but they still raised the roof for the one goal of the game.

Mark Brabin, from Great Lever, and his friend Paul Stevens, from Little Hulton, were both over the moon with Michael Ricketts' goal and the overall performance of their heroes.

Mark said: "It's been absolutely brilliant -- we watched Saturday's match on telly -- but to be here tonight is even better."

Head of Top o'th' Brow Primary School, Chris Caldwell, and his daughter Gill Caldwell, had an extra special reason to toast the Wanderers victory as Gill was celebrating her 33rd birthday.

She said: "We used to come to Burnden as well and have had the same seats here with our season tickets for the past four years."

Her father said: "We will certainly be having a few drinks on the way home tonight to celebrate Gill's birthday and the big win."