Bolton Wanderers FC are in mourning as they pay tribute to a lifelong fan who tragically died during a league match this past weekend.
Boyhood Bolton fan Iain Purlsow, 71, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest during the home fixture against Cheltenham Town on Saturday, 14 January.
The game was ultimately abandoned after Purslow was rushed to hospital and sadly passed away later that afternoon.
The club and its fan base have been paying their respects to the Oldham-based supporter, with social media awash with tributes and posts remembering the well-known fan, as well as tips on how to try and help in the event of a medical emergency in the crowd.
Iain Purslow will be remembered tomorrow evening, I encourage every single one of you to come to the game and pay your respects!! RIP Iain 🤍 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/5VzPCezbMU
Everyone at Cheltenham Town are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Bolton Wanderers supporter Iain Purslow who was taken ill during yesterday's fixture.
Our thoughts are with Iain's family, loved ones and the Bolton Wanderers community at this time.
The 71-year-old Bolton fan sadly died despite the best efforts of several individuals who attempted to save his life using CPR.
A regular match-goer with his son Stuart Purslow, Iain was described as nothing short of a true member of the “BWFC family” by manager Ian Evatt, who assured that his family will be given the peace, time, patience and privacy to deal with the tragic loss.
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The head coach went on to insist that “it is all about them and nobody else. Obviously, we’re extremely saddened to lose one of our fans – we are united, we are a family here… but it’s not about anybody else but that family tomorrow evening and Saturday.
“They deserve some time to mourn and some peace and quiet — and to be left alone to do that”.
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As alluded to, as agreed with Iain’s family, the club will be holding a minute’s silence before the start of their FA Cup tie against Luton Town on Tuesday night (16 January) as well as a minute’s applause in the 71st minute, with black armbands being worn and club flags being flown at half-mast.
🗣️ "We want to do all we can to make he and his family proud."
⚪️ Bolton boss Ian Evatt wants the players to pay tribute to fan Iain Purslow with their performance tonight.
Bolton will commemorate the life of supporter Iain Purslow with a minute of silence prior to Tuesday's Emirates FA Cup third-round replay against Luton Town, with a minute of applause to be encouraged in the 71st minute.
Lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan Iain Purslow has sadly passed away after being taken ill during yesterday's game Our sincere condolences to his family and friends, RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BikIwbhMre
While not referenced directly by Evatt, the emphasis on privacy feels more pertinent than ever after The Sun published a shameful headline claiming that the game had been abandoned simply because a fan was “ill” prior to the news of Purslow’s death.
Naturally, fans across the UK and outside of football were appalled and have once again called for people to boycott the tabloid.
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More importantly, however, it highlighted just how crucial first aiders, medics and fans within British football grounds are, with Bolton thanking their “supporters and medical staff who provided assistance, and for the cooperation and understanding of everyone inside the stadium”.
They gave special thanks to those directly involved in trying to save Iain, including photographer and former paramedic Lee Parker, who was first on the scene; fellow fans Dr Simon Irving, Dr Syed Bokhari and James Bracegirdle, as well as steward Gerald McManus and the North West Ambulance Service.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
16th January 2024 
