IAN Evatt thanked a collection of Wanderers fans for doing his team talk for him at Morecambe.

Around 200 Bolton supporters gathered outside Morecambe’s Mazuma Stadium to show their appreciation as the team bus pulled into the car park.

The incredible ovation took players and coaching staff by surprise and, says Evatt, gave the squad an ideal boost in what was a must-win game for the Whites.

Ben Jackson’s goal sealed three points, meaning automatic promotion could be secured next weekend if Wanderers can match or better Morecambe and Tranmere’s result.

Asked if the fans’ reception had featured in his team-talk, Evatt told The Bolton News: “I didn’t need to mention it because I saw everyone’s face light up. I really did.

“Everyone was stood on their feet on the coach, everyone was smiling, everyone was happy and it meant a lot to the boys because we’ve had a tough year, a tough season and we’ve really dug deep and we’ve dug deep again today and it’s great for the players to see that the fans are appreciative of that.”

Wanderers have gone the entire season without being able to play in front of their own supporters, meaning Evatt has yet to be officially introduced to a Bolton crowd.

But after seeing the backing on Saturday afternoon – and the messages which have poured in for the team in the past few weeks – he has been left in no doubt that the town is behind him and his players.

“I said to Sarce and Doyler earlier that we know we’re part of a big club, we do, and we understand it,” he said. “But we haven’t seen them all season and then all of a sudden, they turn up, it just gives you that amazing reminder of what a football club this is and we’re proud to be a part of it.”