A Wanderers mad pub has pledged its allegiance to the Super Whites . . . on a permanent basis.

The Queens Head in Horwich, well known for its football-mad drinkers, has been transformed into a Bolton Wanderers theme pub.

Over the years the regulars at the Queens Head have continually demonstrated their dedicated support for the Reebok aces.

And they are always among the first to show their disappointment when the team is relegated.

In 1998, when the club was relegated from the Premier League, regulars staged a burial ceremony with a coffin full of shirts, match programmes, tickets and other memorabilia.

The 4ft-long black coffin was even given the last rites and lowered into the Queen's darkened cellar during a "funeral" service followed by a wake where they drowned their sorrows.

But, even though the coffin remains in the cellar while the team stays in the First Division, the pub still shows its true colours with the tasteful new decor.

The bar is surrounded by terrace crash barriers, walls are painted blue and white, while match programmes, shirts and other souvenirs line with walls framed with scarfs.

The toilets have blue and white tiles and scarfs for signs and even the lamps inside and out are shaped as footballs.

Landlord Phil Bristow says the new image is going down a treat with the locals.

"Everyone seems to like it," he said. "Even the people who aren't huge football fans have commented on how original it is. I don't think there is another pub in Bolton like it."

Since the refurbishment, the pub has started to screen all Wanderers matches and many stop off there before they head to Middlebrook for a match. Mr Bristow added: "The decor is certainly a talking point and so far everyone who has been in seems to like it. We're a Bolton Wanderers pub through and through."

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