A BOLTON Wanderers soccer chief has blasted rogue scratch card dealers over claims that loyal fans are being cheated.

Commercial Manager Terry Holland is threatening legal action by the club in a bid to crackdown on unscrupulous salesmen cashing in on the club's own successful £25,000 lottery.

Mr Holland claims Bolton shopkeepers are being asked to sell "Instant Win" scratch cards in aid of the town's popular football club.

Mr Holland said: "We know that one leading scratch card company is claiming to give its revenue to Bolton Wanderers.

"But we want to stress that this has nothing to do with us.

"We don't want the people of Bolton being misled.

"We have a very successful lottery scheme of our own. We don't want other people coming in and using our name.

"We are very proud to be so successful.

"If we found out that there was a majority of outlets selling instant win cards in our name then I think we would be forced to take legal action."

Bolton shopowner Jackie Corlett, who runs Collette's Hairdressers on Halliwell Road, was approached by one of the salesmen.

Mrs Corlett said: "I was asked if I would like to sell the scratch cards to my customers in the shop.

"The scratch cards cost £1 and you could win up to £25,000.

"But I was instantly suspicious when he said all the proceeds would go towards Bolton Wanderers.

"I was even more suspicious when he refused to sell to a gents hairdressers nearby."

Bolton Wanderers launched their own scratch instant win card last month with all proceeds going to the club.

Mr Holland added: "Ours is a genuine lottery and we are very proud of its success.

"We hope Bolton people will not be fooled."

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