WANDERERS have offered to refund season ticket holders for games missed during lockdown.

Fans were today told that money can be paid pack pro-rata for the cancelled fixtures against Peterborough United, Lincoln City, Gillingham and Rotherham United – but that incentives were on offer if they opted to waive the refund.

It is estimated if every fan were to demand their money back that Bolton would foot a bill of around £200,000 – which could be a blow to finances, two months before League Two football is expected to return.

A straw poll from the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust among its members in May found an overwhelming desire among supporters to leave their money in the club.

And those who do could win an exclusive prize, including a training ground tour and lunch with head coach, Ian Evatt, at the Bolton Whites Hotel, hospitality packages in the Chairman’s Suite and Platinum Suite, signed shirts and a season ticket for 2020/21.

Season ticket holders are being asked to complete an online survey before July 31 to indicate their wish.

A joint statement from Sharon Brittan and Mike James explained: “The restrictions placed upon society due to the COVID-19 pandemic have altered how we all go about our daily lives – from how we socialise with our families and friends to how we work and earn a living.

“There have been so many challenges that have affected so many people.

“But the one constant that we have seen is how communities have pulled together to help one another as we face challenges that we have never experienced before.

“As a club that is very much at the heart of our community – in thanks to the tremendous and crucial work undertaken by the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust - we are acutely aware of how the virus has impacted the residents of Bolton, whether that be physical and mental health, financial or emotional.

“This of course includes our staff and our supporters who make this football club very special.

“With over 146 years of history, the club has overcome many challenges which have emboldened our resolve and allowed us to bring magical moments to generations.

“There is no doubt that we will face more challenges as lockdown begins to ease and life starts to gradually return to a semblance of normality.

“Sport, just like many other industries, has suffered in terms of revenue lost due to the scheduled matches not being able to take place. We appreciate that many of you purchased season tickets in good faith at the beginning of last season with the intention – just like every season – to see the campaign through until the end. We cannot thank you enough for your loyalty.

“But we have to be honest with you and say that we have not been immune to this unanticipated loss of income.

“However, we want to reassure you that as a board we are absolutely committed to overcoming these challenges, and together as one club, one community and one town we will work very hard to ensure Bolton Wanderers Football Club bounces back so that we are in a position to bring more magical moments in the future and that we remain central to the people of Bolton for many more generations to come.

“To that end, we need your support as much as we have ever done to help us get ready for the future - as a club, as a community and as a town.

“We apologise for the delay in contacting you with this information but we’ve had to consider many factors to ensure we provide the best possible solutions for you all. We thank you for the patience you have shown us during this time.

“We have put together some options for those of you who purchased season tickets and home and away match tickets for the 2019/20 season.

“We really appreciate that many of you have already expressed that you do not wish to claim a refund for the curtailed games of last season and we cannot thank you enough, in particular those that responded to the Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Trust survey. We have been in communication with the Trust throughout this time and we thank them for their continual support.

“We also recognise that some of you will not be in a position to forego any refunds owed to you, which of course we fully understand.”