COMPLETE segregation of rival fans at the Reebok is impossible.

That admission came from Bolton Wanderers today in response to a range of complaints following disturbances during Saturday's Premiership game against Everton.

Scores of visiting supporters infiltrated sections of the ground exclusive to home fans.

The crowd of 27,343 set a record attendance for a football match at the stadium which opened in September 1997 but, for some, the game was marred by sporadic outbreaks of violence between rival supporters inside the ground on a scale rarely seen in the Reebok's four-year history.

Unhappy Wanderers' fans who contacted the BEN questioned how Everton followers, who should have been seated in the 3,000-capacity visitors' section in the South Stand, got hold of tickets for the home zones; why they were allowed to remain in their seats when they were identified and what measures are being taken by the club to avoid similar problems in the future?

Wanderers' officials, who have themselves received and investigated various complaints from concerned supporters, say segregation problems are not exclusive to the Reebok, especially when the games involve local clubs.

In a statement today, the club spelled out the difficulties: "Infiltration of visiting fans watching the game in the home supporters' sections of the stadium is an issue which occurs throughout the whole of football.

"Bolton Wanderers will continue to make every effort, as we have always done, to ensure that we sell tickets in the home areas of the Reebok Stadium to Bolton Wanderers fans only. However, despite our best endeavours, it is not possible to totally eradicate this problem.

"But we do take the issue very seriously and we will continue to review our procedures on this matter."