Bolton Wanderers have been urged to ban a fan for posting a malicious ‘violent’ tweet about the manager Ian Evatt earlier this week.
Trotter Chatter: The Bolton Wanderers Podcast tweeted: “As you all know, we are aware of a violent tweet directed at Ian Evatt that has been circulating online.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that Trotter Chatter has no affiliation with this post, and we strongly condemn the intent directed at the manager.
“The author of the tweet is no longer affiliated with the podcast.
“Thank you to our listeners for continuing to support us.”
Luke Watson (@Watson_XD_) says in his bio: “1/3 of the hosts of the Home & Away Days podcast. All about experiences on away days and visiting fans to BWFC.”
He has since deleted his tweet, as seen in the tweet above, after backlash from his own club’s supporters, but his Twitter account remains active.
Bolton News reporter Marc Iles confirmed: “Bolton Wanderers have confirmed to me that an investigation has been opened into a malicious tweet sent to the club’s official account on Friday evening.”
— Jfbwfc23 (@JoshRf_YT) January 4, 2025
Fans on social media took issue with Ian Evatt and his post-match interview after Bolton’s 2-1 defeat to Mansfield on New Year’s Day.
His side again failed to make it-back-to-back victories as they allowed the Stags a two-goal lead after 36 minutes. Bolton only got what ended up being a consolation goal with Aaron Collins netting his 12th of the season just before half time.
The result sees Mansfield jump above Bolton, into 9th in League One with 34 points from 22 games played while the Trotters are 10th with the same amount of points and games played, Mansfield with a +4 goal difference.
Fans take issue with Ian Evatt and his post-match interview after Bolton’s defeat to Mansfield
Three months ago, Ian Evatt was emotional at Bolton fans’ support at full time after abusive messages were sent to his kids.
Evatt thanked fans for their support after the 5-2 win against Reading, and was clearly taken aback by it. Some of the Bolton fanbase were generally quite embarrassed at a banner displayed before that game, reading ‘Evatt Out!’. See more on this below…
Ian Evatt emotional by Bolton fans’ support at full time after abusive messages to his kids
Ian Evatt spoke ahead of his side’s game against Exeter this weekend. Questioned on if he would seek to change the way his side play, he said, per Bolton News: “If I don’t believe in it, how will I get the players to believe in it?. On the flip side, the players do believe in it because we have had success doing it in the last four-and-a-half years.
“We have recruited to that system and the way we play, so changing things and ripping up everything we have built is not going to be good for anybody.
“It is more about getting better at what we do, and we have introduced some new players, and finding slight variations.
“That is another thing we can do better, not completely rip it up but find some slight variations to cause teams more problems. We are looking at things all the time.
“There are things I have seen that I like – maybe inverting the wing-backs, for instance, playing them on the opposite side.
“The way we build up and things like that are giving us some more options against different presses. The last couple of games, in particular, I think we have been better and looked more dynamic.
“We just haven’t finished our chances off, which is obviously crucial to winning games.
“The possession, data and stats give you one story but the scoreline gives you a different one.
“At the moment, people are only interested in the scoreline and I completely understand that.
“I would like to think I am process-driven and I believe if we play like we did on Wednesday, you will win more times than you lose. Yes, we have to cut out some stupid individual and collective mistakes. The goals were extremely poor, but a lot was very good and we have to build on that, gain some belief and confidence and start to pick up results consistently.”
“We believe that we can certainly finish in the top six, that hasn’t changed or wavered. We have obviously got room to improve and we have a lot of ground to make up to push the automatic spots, but we have seen that happen before as well.
“For now, it is just about the next game. It is OK having these bigger goals and targets but what are the small steps that will get you to achieve those? Our first of those small steps is Exeter on Saturday.”
As mentioned, Bolton have been urged to ban a fan for posting disgusting ‘violent’ tweet about Ian Evatt…
@macauleyrobert1: Well I have said for a long time now that it’s not criticism anymore it’s personal abuse which find disgusting. We’re all hurting atm but there’s a line you don’t cross and it’s been crossed possibly a ban incoming there and rightly so. IESWA
@TheWandererUK: Season ticket revoked and a ban incoming. 🤞What a knob.
@conor_saunders9: Complete moron… Deserves everything coming his way.
@rayclegg1: As this been reported to the police @gmpolice
@L8N97: Why would he tweet that, what a tit 😂
@BWFCNathan94: Right decision, he needs locked up that fucking rat. That was absolutely fucking vile what he said #bwfc #BanLukeWatson
@karate_kid29: And some people wonder why Evatt doesnt go over to the fans after matches. Why would he when some come out with rubbish like this.
@BWFC_Alien: Someone from the podcast posted a tweet asking for Evatt to be murdered. Beyond the pale and rightly condemned by the vast majority. No doubt the author of the post can expect a visit from GMP soon.
@valderee53: Criticism of the manager, the players, the board is part of the game. Extreme abuse and threats of violence are not and are totally unacceptable. The perpetrator must be prosecuted.
@the_sensefield: @Watson_XD_ I’m sure your boycott will last a little longer now.
@BiggusD11559466: Absolute bellend. Ban him from the stadium, and i hope the police go visit him. Tool.
@PD_1972: There’s stepping over the line and then there’s the scenario that you can’t even see the line in your rear view mirror! Possible police visit and ban.
@howfenbwfc: Things are turning ugly
@EvatheoBWFC23: What a dreadful thing to say! I don’t particularly like the bloke but that’s out of order.
@BwfcIncognito: oh dear I think @Watson_XD_ will be getting a visit from @gmpolice very soon. banter or not that is a criminal offence. cannot believe @TrotterChatPod’s piss poor response too. @peteoliver68 is @OfficialBWFC and @BWFC_Tickets aware #bwfc
@njc2317: His tweet was horrific. Appalling
@Lancsiron: Unsurprisingly he will no longer be on their podcast… and i doubt he will be welcome at BWFC ever again.
@JackBwin04: IAN Evatt super white army
This has nothing to do with the board. It has everything to do with this horrible platform.
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) January 4, 2025
