SIR: I am a smoker, I am also a lifelong supporter of Bolton Wanderers and for the past 2O years I have had a season ticket on Burnden Terrace. At the end of last season 20 of us got together and decided to book a block of seats together in the new stadium. We followed the club's recommendation and chose the stand which corresponds to our traditional position. We are all people who have watched the match in the same area for years, some smokers and some non-smokers. We appointed a representative, paid him our cheques and waited impatiently for next season.
I now read that I will not be allowed to smoke in that area next season and frankly I am very puzzled and extremely angry. Have the non-smoking directors forgotten that the stadium is open air and therefore will not become smoke-filled, especially the way the wind whistles around the Red Moss area. I can see that the family stand should be non-smoking and people who really object to smoke could go and sit there, but honestly I have never once in all the years I have watched the Wanderers had or heard a complaint about smoke, the main reason being you are outside.
I really think that the club should have consulted the fans on this matter and there are still many thousands of us who like a cigarette, especially at football matches and who also like to sit with their friends.
I urge the club to reconsider this decision as a matter of urgency or risk ruining the enjoyment of a great deal of their most loyal fans for no good reason.
E J Mullineux
Kingwood Avenue, Bolton
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