Evatt hoping Bolton steal the spotlight

CRAWLEY

VBOLTON 3PM

IAN EVATT never dreamt he could win a popularity contest with Hollywood star George Clooney as the toast of Bolton.

But by the time Clooney’s appearance in an advert with the town’s famous baker Jonathan Warburton premieres tonight, Trotters messiah Evatt hopes to have his own loaf story with a happy ending.

If Wanderers seal promotion at Crawley today, it will feel like the end of austerity at a famous club who flirted with extinction.

Sadly, it is no mystery why they are down in League Two, just 13 years after reaching the UEFA Cup last-16.

When it was time to settle the bill for driving around town in a Bentley, they did not even have enough for the bus fare.

But where Warburton hangs up on Clooney as he finishes a slice of toast in the advert for flour power, Evatt is leading Bolton away from the breadline.

Evatt, 39, said: “This club overspent and very nearly went out of business.

“What an absolute tragedy that would have been – we were two days away from losing it.

“We can’t ever forget that. Hopefully this season will prove to be the first step back to where we belong.”

A home defeat by Exeter last weekend left the champagne on ice but Evatt is still just 90 minutes from a second promotion in as many seasons, after success at Barrow.

He said: “In 20 years’ time, I want our fans and these players to look back at the day Bolton got promoted during a pandemic and be proud of the achievement.”