WANDERERS have laughed off a study from a retail comparison website which claims demand for their kit this season is lower than Accrington Stanley, Newport County or Stevenage.

Lovethesales.com have published a league table which ranks Bolton at 72nd among the 89 clubs who currently have replica shirts on sale.

Compilers of the list claim rankings are determined by data collected via online searches through 1,000 retailers.

Wanderers have apparently dropped 13 places since last year’s table was compiled and are currently tucked just in behind local rivals Wigan Athletic.

Other League Two clubs such as Bradford City, Scunthorpe United, Carlisle United and Forest Green Rovers are also ahead of them in the line-up.

After The Bolton News contacted Lovethesales.com to explain their formula, a spokesman said: “Problems going on at Bolton and the drop down to League Two has had a significant impact on their shirt sales.”

The study does claim football has lost around 63 per cent of kit sales during the pandemic - and that around £15million will be lost to Premier League clubs alone.

The case appears to be quite different at Wanderers, however, with the club reporting brisk sales, both of kits and season ticket sales, since their launch.

A club spokesman added: “It’s certainly news to us. We’re surprised to hear the results of that survey as home and away shirts have been flying off the shelves.

“With sales of season tickets now over 8,000 we’ve found that our supporters have been really behind the club.”

Just in case you forgot to buy this season’s replica kit – it is on sale now from BWFC Direct here.