Bring back Bruce, say fans

That was the message yesterday from Wanderers fans out on Bolton's streets, as the search began for Colin Todd's successor.

There was a mixture of emotions as news swept the town that Todd had resigned, with many supporters touting for former Burnden great Bruce Rioch to make a come-back.

And other fans called for former striker John McGinlay to be given a chance to coach the struggling team.

But supporters were united in their fury over the Per Frandsen deal, with calls from some quarters for the members of the club's board to go.

Season ticket holder Sam Owen, 65, from Breightmet, admitted to mixed feelings about Todd's departure but was confident he knew the right man for the job.

"I would like to see Rioch come back," he said. "I thought he did a lot for the club. It's a pity that he didn't come back in the first place.

"And to let Per Frandsen go for £2.25 million is diabolical. It's nothing and he's worth a lot more than that." Young mum Sharon Brickles believes the Super Whites now need someone to "kick the players up the backside".

The 26-year-old Great Lever woman added: "We've not been doing well anyway. I don't think we have got the standard of players we used to have.

"Frandsen should have gone for more. Now we need someone to motivate the players."

For nearly 20 years John Gordon, from Darcy Lever, has followed the Trotters' footballing fortunes.

He said: "Todd has had his chance but I don't think he's had the support he needed from the board. I'm gutted he's gone really. He's just not had the money made available to him.

"Per Frandsen was one of our best players. Now we're just getting rid of our best players and not signing anybody.

"We need to get somebody like Joe Kinnear in. Someone who will not stand any messing about."

Westhoughton councillor Kevan Jones called on Gordon Hargreaves, Wanderers' chairman, and other members of the board to look at their own future with the club.

"Mr Hargreaves and his board should look at their positions," he said. "Colin Todd was doing a good job in very difficult circumstances.

"We must look for an experienced manager, someone like Roy Evans. Or if we need a fresh outlook bring in John McGinlay as coach. He has some fire in his belly and his heart is in the club."

Breightmet man Peter Kelly admitted he was not surprised that Wanderers manager had left as the team went into a "downward spiral".

"The person who has done most for Wanderers is Rioch but they're going to need someone who can bring a team together without buying star players," he said.

"I'm not surprised he's gone because we keep losing," said Joann Hayes, 28, from Great Lever, who has followed the team for nine years.

"I think they will go down hill from here. If we need a new manager then Bruce Rioch was the best one we had. He got us up into the Premiership."

Todd's head had been on the block for weeks, claimed Derek Fisher, of Tonge Moor.

The die-hard fan told the BEN supporters had been calling for the manager to go for weeks.

He added: "Early on this season I said we would go nowhere and that looks like it will come true.

"We need someone who can inspire the players and hopefully bring in a top striker but when you are where we are in the league it's hard tio bring in new players."

Guy Robinson, 16, of Tonge Moor, claimed the team needed the golden touch of Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: "Frandsen is going for a good reason. He knows the team is not performing and is not going anywhere. I just hope a new manager sorts it out quickly."

Gillian Holt, 30, from Westhoughton, was also unsurprised at Todd's departure following team performances.

She slammed the price tag put on Per Fransen, adding: "If they were going to sell him they should have let him go for a lot more."

Bolton's favourite soccer son Nat Lofthouse would be Doreen Davies's ideal managerial replacement - if he were slightly younger!

But Mrs Davies, of Johnson Fold, and who has supported the Trotters for more than 50 years, thought Colin Todd should have stayed on.

"I don't think they should keep selling their players," she said. "They're always doing that but they have to get a team together to get back into the Premiership."

And Lostock fan and season ticket holder Barry Jones levelled strong criticism at the Wanderers board.

He said: "Most fans recognised the need for new direction and motivation on the pitch so Mr Todd's departure will answer that.

"However, what is far more significant is the state of the club at board level. The failure to get full value for assets like Burnden Park and Per Frandsen are examples of desperation in the board room."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.