Bolton Wanderers have vowed to maintain a "zero-tolerance" approach after Whites fans got the third most new banning orders of any English club last season.

Home Office figures released this week show that banning orders were in force for 46 Wanderers fans during the 2021-22 season, a sharp rise compared to the 2018-19 season, which was the last before the pandemic hit. 

But club officials say that they have put in place a range of initiatives to deal with behaviour like this and ensure than the majority of fans are able to enjoy games in peace.

Bolton Wanderers CEO Neil Hart said: “As a club we are aware of historic behavioural issues involving a very small section of our fanbase at matches and have taken a pro-active approach to tackling them through a number of initiatives, including the issuing of banning orders.

The Bolton News: Banning orders were given to 14 Wanderers fans after a pitch invasion last FebruaryBanning orders were given to 14 Wanderers fans after a pitch invasion last February (Image: Newsquest)

“The work we’ve undertaken during the course of the 2021/22 season with our safeguarding team, and with the police, is proving to be effective for us in terms of tackling incidents of disorder and that is reflected in these statistics.”

Banning orders are preventative measures handed down by a court after someone is convicted of a football-related offence and prevent people from attending matches.

They usually last between three and five years but in some cases can last between six and 10 years.

In Bolton Wanderers’ case the 46 banning orders last season represented a marked increase on the the 2018-19 season, which saw bans handed down to 12 Wanderers fans.

Wanderers fans were behind just Millwall fans with 52 new banning orders in 2021-22 and Birmingham City supporters with 57.

Across the country there were a total of 2,198 football related arrests made over the over of last season, with 1,308 banning orders in force as of July 28 this year.

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But Wanderers officials have vowed to continue their efforts to tackle this kind of behaviour.

Mr Hart said: “We take, and will continue to take, a zero-tolerance approach to any kind of anti-social behaviour, disorder or criminal offences in and around the stadium on a match day.

“It remains a priority to continue to strive to ensure all supporters can enjoy watching Bolton Wanderers in a safe and welcoming environment.”