A COUPLE of Bolton Wanderers' most devoted fans are looking forward to the derby FA Cup match against Blackburn Rovers this weekend.

Eric and Ethel Rossington have been loyal supporters of Wanderers for 72 years and attended hundreds of matches.

The football-crazy couple, who have a son and two grandchildren, only attend home matches these days as they find it difficult to travel away.

Eric, aged 86, and Ethel, 85, remain as enthusiastic as ever about the beautiful game and are excited about the Fifth Round tie on Saturday.

Eric said: "We've see dozens of derby matches over the years and they are the most exciting.

"We're looking forward to it and I predict Bolton will win 2-1.

"It's mostly been good banter between Blackburn and Bolton fans, but it's sometimes not as friendly as it used to be these days. We still love going though."

The couple were over the moon when one of Wanderers' sponsors offered them a VIP day-out at the Reebok when Bolton played Scunthorpe United in the last round of the cup.

Eric and Ethel, of Carlton Road, Farnworth, were treated to a pre-match three course meal, a special tour of the stadium courtesy of former players Eddy Hopkinson and Sid Farrimond, invited into the VIP lounge for interval drinks and a post-match party.

Eric said: "We both really enjoyed the day. Meeting the former players was a really nice surprise and they treated us very well."

He admits to still preferring the days cheering on his team at Burnden Park instead of at the Reebok.

He said: "It was a totally different atmosphere at Burnden and we used to love going.

"But the Reebok stadium is very good and the views of the pitch are excellent. At Burnden, you often ended up straining to see the game from behind someone very tall."

Ethel was already a loyal Wanderers fan when she and Eric started courting, but he persuaded her to become even more devoted and they have bought joint season tickets ever since.

Eric said: "There was just three years during the Second World War when I couldn't go to matches, but apart from that we've always tried to go to every match.

"I don't think we've got a favourite era because the team has had so many ups and downs over the years.

"We'll keep going to games for as long as we can." Eric and Ethel Rossington with treasured memories of their love of Wanderers Ref: J455/2a