This is Ruth a Bolton Wanderers Supporter, shot before the match versus Derby County today !
When a say a "Bolton Wanderers Supporter", she is probably the most dedicated Wanderers supporter ever.
She's not missed a competitive Wanderers match (home or away) since 1957 ...yes 1957.
That's some feat. She travels all over the country , all over the world, watching the Wanderers ! She even watches the reserves and youth teams, I saw her sat in the stands on a freezing February evening in Nottingham last year, watching Nottingham Forest U18's play Bolton Wanderers U18's in the FA youth cup.
Ruth sells matchday programmes outside the ground, so she is the second programme seller in my series.
Today's match, a 2-0 defeat to Derby was absolutely awful. A dreadful game, it must stand out as one of the worst Ruth has ever seen and she has seen some bad one's !!.. It is one of the worst one's I've seen in many a year. Players unable to pass straight, heads dropped when we went 1 nil down, supporters booing the management team, three supporters running on the pitch venting there frustration, Bolton supporters arguing among themselves in the stands. Frustration all around. Less than 7 years ago we were drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup. How we have fallen.
Post processed in GIMP, levels adjustments, G'MIC Ilford XP2 filter and then a minor contrast adjustment
Bolton Wanderers have recognised Ruth's dedication to the club:
Love the story, Phil. When I was young the youth club I attended organised soccerette competitions. A friend of won chose Bolton Wanderers for his team and he still supports them If that lady met my son he would examine her brains to see if she's ok. My gosh, never missing one match since 1957 - that is definitely amazing. An amazing portrait capture of an 'Iron' lady. FAV.
@judithg thanks judith, life's never easy as a football fan , I've never seen Bolton win a major trophy, a few promotions and relegations, and that's it !!!
@sangwann cheers dione, thanks for the fave and reading the story. Incredible since 1957 !!!
@sangwann cheers dione, thanks for the fave and reading the story. Incredible since 1957 !!!
@seattle thank you very much constance :)
@swilde many thaanks sue :)
@kerristephens cheers kerri
@eyesmile many thanks gena :)