A Bolton food vendor has said she is feeling "heartbroken" after being told she will not be able to rejoin vendors at Bolton Wanderers' fan zone.

Sushma Solanki has been running Sushma’snacks for eight years, joining the fan zone as one of the first vendors when it opened in 2022.

Her food has gone viral, ending up on the "Footy Scran" social media page for her chicken tikka naan with garlic fries.

‘I didn’t sleep all night because I was so angry’

However, on Tuesday, following a re-tendering process, the 53-year-old was told via email that she was unsuccessful – meaning her food will no longer be served at the fan zone.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Sushma said: “10pm is when I got this email, and I was fuming – obviously I didn’t sleep all night because I was so angry.

“Then [on Wednesday] I had a day where I was working and I was just trying to process it, and then I had to tell the fans – because everybody was asking me what was going on.”

On Facebook, fans of Sushma’s reacted with sadness and fury.

Christine Mhist commented: “So very sad. It was only through you that I knew that there was quality food available.

“Imagine we will see generic suppliers rather than creative individuals like yourself. I hope that you do approach other venues and continue to supply your fantastic food.”

Commenter Gary Wood said: “I for one am gutted about this. And I'm sure many more will be. Massive loss to the fan zone.”

Sushma, who moved to Bolton from Kenya 30 years ago, said the reaction from her fans had left her feeling "really great" – but she still felt upset by the decision.

She added: “I just feel that I’m loved by a lot of people, which I didn’t really think – all those supporters at that club – they’re my friends now. They’re a family that you don’t have.

“I know everybody’s life story, everybody that comes to my stand, we know each other, they know my life story – if I was going on holiday I would give them two weeks’ notice to tell them.”

Currently, the club is seeking to boost capacity in the fan zone from 1,000 to 1,200 – with club boss Neil Hart saying there have been games where they’ve had to turn people away by 2pm due to demand.

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Supporters’ Trust secretary says Sushma ‘will be missed’

Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust secretary Ian Bridge said Sushma would be missed in the fan zone and that he wished her well.

Speaking to The Bolton News, he added: “She’s undoubtedly been a big success in the fan zone and we’re sorry to see her go.

“They’ve got an application in to the council, they’re looking to up the numbers at the moment because it’s been that much of a success. Part of that, of course, has been Sushma.

“But they decided in upping the numbers that they wanted to change the offering in there, that’s why they put it out to tender, they’re going to do that and review it, I think, on a two-year basis, every two years.

“She will be missed in the fan zone, no doubt about that.”

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Wanderers says process has been ‘open and fair’

A Bolton Wanderers spokesperson said: “We have run an open and fair process for new and existing vendors to tender for the opportunity to be in our fan zone for the next two seasons.

 “The club will officially be announcing its plans for the fan zone, including the food and beverage vendors, ahead of the upcoming campaign.

 “As we continue to work through this process, we are disappointed people are unnecessarily sharing confidential information as we continue to finalise plans for the fan zone.

“The vendors we are selecting are based on a set criteria of being able to attend all league matches during this period, their hygiene ratings and menu offerings.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.