Bolton Council came together in condemnation of The Sun for its reporting of the death of football fan Iain Purslow. 

Mr Purslow fell ill during the first half of the match between Bolton Wanderers and Cheltenham Town last weekend.

On Saturday, he received CPR for more than 20 minutes in the stands before he was rushed to hospital but, on Sunday, the confirmation came he had lost his life.

On the same day The Sun angered the supporters of Bolton Wanderers and those throughout the sport with a headline which read: "Footie binned... over ill fan".

Bolton Council came together in condemnation of the newspaper after a question by John Walsh, a councillor for Astley Bridge and a long-standing supporter of The Whites, to the leader Nick Peel at the town hall this week.

Both Cllr Walsh and Cllr Peel commended all of those who were involved in trying to save the life of Mr Purslow, who included the staff, the stewards, a photographer and the responders from North West Ambulance Service.

The Bolton News:

Cllr Walsh said: "It is beholden upon those who write the newspapers to report the facts and not to sensationalise a situation of this nature and it is for this reason I hope the council leader shares my disgust and the disgust of thousands of others. 

"I hope the council leader joins me in writing to the Press Complaints Commission to complain about the manner in which they lessened such a tragic event."

The Bolton News understands the club withdrew The Sun's access for the FA Cup tie against Luton Town and are currently reviewing whether to grant access for future home games.

It is thought some of the supporters complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation which replaced the Press Complaints Commission in 2014.

Cllr Peel said: "It reminds me of what the people of Liverpool have had to put up with for a long period of time. They have made their views known for a number of years and it is for the people of Bolton to make their views known in whatever way.

"Let us not give anymore airtime to this excuse for reporting. The best way to honour the memory of Iain Purslow, a man who loved this team, is for all of us to back our community club and to celebrate, when it happens, a promotion for Wanderers."

Previously a spokesperson for The Sun said: "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."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.