ONE avid Bolton Wanderers' fan travelled 3,000 miles to watch his team's relegation agony - on television. Steve Czartorynsky jetted over from Ontario, Canada, to watch the Super Whites' heartbreak. And although Steve, who is a member of the Bolton Wanderers FC Supporters Club in his home country, didn't have a ticket for the match he says it was wonderful to watch his team on television again after a gap of 21 years.
The Farnworth-born man is back in Bolton for the first time since 1977 but he says he's always kept an eye on the fortunes of the Trotters.
He is now confident that his team will be back in the Premiership within a year, adding: "I thought they played well and I was heartbroken for them when they lost.
"I'm sure other members of the Canadian supporters club will feel the same as me. When the match had finished I felt like going home.
"But if they keep the same players and play with the same spirit I think they will go straight back up. Our supporters club will be cheering them on next season.
"I was down at the Reebok Stadium the other day and I couldn't believe how impressive it was. It's a marvellous building and a great home for Premiership football."
Steve, 48, moved to the town of Stratford, Ontario, in 1973 with his wife Lynda and has only been back to Bolton twice.
He heads back to Canada at the end of the month and has vowed to make sure his grandson Christopher, aged four, becomes one of the next generation of fans.
"I'll certainly be taking him a Wanderers shirt home and I'm sure he'll soon be a supporter," he joked.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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