A Bolton food vendor who was left feeling ‘heartbroken’ after being told she wouldn’t be able to rejoin the Wanderers’ fan zone has seen her fortunes turn around.

Sushma Solanki has been running Sushma’s snacks for eight years, joining the Wanderers 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.

However, last month, the 53-year-old found out she was unsuccessful in her bid to rejoin the fan zone following a re-tendering process, leaving her feeling heartbroken and fans expressing their fury.

Now, Sushma has signed a contract to provide food at Wrexham A.F.C.’s fan zone instead.

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Speaking to The Bolton News, Sushma said she was contacted by someone at the club through LinkedIn after she lost her spot in Bolton.

After a visit to the club – where she handed out some free tasters – she found out she was successful. Sushma received her contract on Thursday, August 1, and was left feeling ‘over the moon’.

Sushma said: “I can’t stop smiling, I can’t stop smiling.

“You know who Wrexham belongs to, don’t you?

“Can you imagine Ryan Reynolds coming to have my chicken tikka naan? I’m so happy.”

Wrexham is owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right)Wrexham is owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right)

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She added: “When you believe in yourself, a lot can happen.”

Sushma admitted she was ‘gutted’ that she was no longer serving food at her hometown’s club – instead serving at one of Bolton’s rivals.

She’ll serve up her food from Saturday, August 10, when the side clashes against the Wycombe Wanderers.

Just over a week later, the team – owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – will be coming to Bolton’s Toughsheet Community Stadium to face off against the Wanderers.

Asked if she would be cheering for her home side in the bout, Sushma remained coy.

She said: “Hmm… I don’t know, I’m not saying anything at the moment, hahaha. It’s weird because it’s on my birthday as well!

“It’s a Sunday this time, I think because they’re showing it on TV – it’s not a Saturday match. I don’t know if I’m going to go or not at the moment, no idea.

“I’m very, very happy where I’m going, and yesterday when I got [the contract] I thought, oh, it’s time to move on really.”

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