BOLTON Wanderers have shown they are no clowns in the Premiership, but the players are happy to dress up for a good cause.

Confused shoppers watched as Whites stars Gudni Bergsson, Jermaine Johnson and Anthony Barness walked around the town centre yesterday looking like they had just escaped from the circus.

Assistant manager Phil Brown also joined in the fun, coming on as substitute for Sam Allardyce, who was absent.

As well as raising cash for the BEN-backed Bolton Busting Breast Cancer Appeal, the stunt was also part of the club's spirit building forfeit procedure.

When the team wins by a large score, such as the 5-0 victory at Leicester on the opening day, the players give the backroom staff a forfeit.

And when the lads let in a lot of goals, like the home defeat against Newcastle, the reverse happens. Sam was forced to eat sheep's testicles in the last event, but this time both players and backroom staff went into town dressed as clowns.

Defender Gudni said: "It's going to be interesting seeing if the public recognise us."

Gudni was also careful what he said about his manager not turning up.

"He hasn't picked the team for the next game yet, so I'd better not criticise him!"

Assistant manager Phil Brown, who stepped into his boss's shoes, said: "I had to park the car miles away and walk across the square dressed like this, but I've managed to raise about £30 already."

Wanderers supporter Florence Brandwood, aged 78, of Almond Street, Astley Bridge, has watched the team for 63 years. She said: "I think they're brilliant. A lot of Premiership players wouldn't do this. It's all for such as good cause."