BOLTON Wanderers' fan Joe Lomas is set to share a very special occasion with Burnden Park.

Everyone in Bolton must know that Burnden Park was built 102 years ago, but not everyone will know that life-long fan Joe was born the very same year.

To mark this momentous birthday Joe has been invited to make the draw for the players' shirts at Burnden Park's final match, when Bolton Wanderers play Charlton Athletic.

It will be special night for all Wanderers' fans, and Joe is no exception.

He has been watching his favourite team since he was a small boy. He still goes to as many home games as he can and doesn't mind it he sits in the stands or stands on the terraces.

He was born on June 2 ,1895, and can remember the first game he ever saw as if it was yesterday.

It was the cup replay against Everton, at Burnden Park, in 1907, when Joe was just 11-years-old. He went to the match with his father and his father's work colleague.

Joe remembers the day of the "Burnden Disaster" very well indeed.

The date was March 9, 1946, and Joe was due to go to the game against Stoke City with a friend.

"But I had a premonition and I knew there was going to be a disaster at that match. I knew there would be too many people there and that people would be killed and injured.

"I told my friend we'd go to watch Stockport County, who were playing Accrington Stanley instead, and we did."

Joe was brought up as a Wanderers' fan. He lived in Kearsley with his family, but his father, and his family before him, were from Bolton.

Now, even though Joe is living in Clifton, he still supports Bolton Wanderers, although he prides himself on being a "football fan".

He said: "I go to watch Bolton Wanderers but I also watch Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale or Wigan."

He has a false leg, after losing half of his right leg in an accident with a train when he was just three-years -old.

But it does not stop Joe doing exactly what he wants to do. He travels on the bus to the football matches, and to go bowling and into town for a bet on the horses.

"My secret to a long life is clean living and no bad habits, only backing losers."

Joe has never had an argument with anyone about football. "I just enjoy the game and can talk to anyone about it, no matter who they support."

And he is looking forward to seeing a game at Burnden Park, for the last time. "I am looking forward to going to the match and making the draw."

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