WANDERERS fans have reacted angrily to an apology printed by The Sun newspaper after Saturday’s tragic abandoned game against Cheltenham Town.

Lifelong supporter Iain Purslow passed away after collapsing during the first half of the match at the Toughsheet Stadium.

The game, which had been stopped after 29 minutes, was abandoned as the efforts to save Mr Purslow’s life continued. In all, medical staff performed CPR for more than 30 minutes inside the stadium before he was transferred by ambulance to hospital.

A headline in the following morning’s print edition of The Sun then sparked outrage among Bolton fans and the wider footballing world. The page 10 story, which detailed the day’s events, was topped with the words: “Footie binned… Over ill fan’.

The headline was branded as ‘distasteful’ and ‘disgusting’ by supporters on social media, some of whom also filed complaints to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

And on Monday, the publication issued a brief apology on its website with the following message: “The Sun apologises for the headline in the news pages of the print edition of Sunday's paper about Bolton fan Iain Purslow, which was insensitive.

“Our condolences to Iain's family and friends.”

Read more: The Sun slammed for headline on BWFC fan's death

The update has not gone down well – with one Bolton supporter posting on Twitter/X: “There’s nothing like a heartfelt and sincere apology - and that’s nothing like one.”

Iain Clements remarked: “Sorry because of the reaction from the football world, not because they cared enough when they published it.”

Richard Doxey added: “Hollow words. They have enough history for us to know that this apology isn’t sincere.”

Wanderers will pay tribute to Mr Purslow before their FA Cup replay against Luton Town on Tuesday night, with the details expected to be confirmed at a press conference this afternoon (Monday) with first team manager Ian Evatt.