JOHN McGinlay is helping Wanderers reach out to elderly season ticket holders during the coronavirus crisis to check on their wellbeing.

With hundreds of supporters in self-isolation and unable to leave their homes, the club – helped by the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust – have begun to contact the most vulnerable.

Leading the way, former Scotland international McGinlay, who recently returned to Bolton in an official capacity as a club ambassador.

The first calls went out yesterday morning and will continue throughout the weeks as Wanderers seek to look after their fans as best they can.

A spokesman told The Bolton News: “The plan is that John McGinlay, our corporate sales team and the community trust will be ringing our most elderly season ticket holders to check on their welfare and give them a little bit of company in what are difficult times in self-isolation. The calls started this morning and the people they spoke to seem genuinely appreciative.

“There is a lot of uncertainty about at the moment with the government’s advice asking those who are most vulnerable, including the elderly, to self-isolate, so we thought it would be the right thing to do to put a friendly voice on the other side of the phone.

“We wanted them to know that the club is still thinking about them. John is a legend and has given us so many great memories over the years. He really wanted to do it and while he can’t get around absolutely everyone, he has enlisted the help of our corporate sales team and the community trust staff to just make sure everything is OK.

“We urge everyone to look after themselves and follow the government’s advice so that we can all get through this safely.”

The Community Trust had to postpone their weekly sessions until April at the earliest but have continued their Fit Fans scheme online. Wanderers’ Soccer School are also posting daily coaching tips and drills via their official twitter account.