Police cancel Bolton-Rangers game

Rangers will not now visit Bolton's Reebok Stadium

Bolton's pre-season friendly with Rangers at the Reebok Stadium on 25 July has been cancelled on the advice of Greater Manchester Police.

"It is with deep regret that, on the advice of Greater Manchester Police, it has been cancelled on the grounds of safety," said a Bolton statement.

Police said more than 12,000 Rangers fans may have attended, despite an allocation of only 5,000 tickets.

Rangers said they were "astonished", having previously had police approval.

They said they had "exhausted the avenues of appeal open it and have now no alternative but to accept the decision" and the game would now be played behind closed doors at Ibrox on Thursday.

"The club apologises to the 2,362 fans who have already purchased tickets in Glasgow and made arrangements to travel," said a statement from the Scottish side.

Bolton Wanderers, along with Greater Manchester Police, would like to apologise for any inconvenience Bolton FC statement

"The circumstances, however, are totally outwith our control.

"A full ticket refund, including booking fees, will be made to all fans."

Greater Manchester Police explained why they felt the match could not go ahead.

Chief Superintendent Dave Lea, divisional commander for Bolton, said: "The agreed ticket allocation for Glasgow Rangers was 5,000. However, the club subsequently provided information that Bolton Wanderers should expect 12,000 fans to turn up for this event.

"A review of intelligence surrounding the event indicated that these numbers may be further swelled by holidaymakers from the Glasgow region attending Bolton on the day from Blackpool.

"Information provided by Glasgow Rangers indicated that in excess of 120 coach parties would be attending, which were not capable of being received at the Reebok stadium. A normal full Premiership fixture would attract no more than 17 coaches.

"Given the uncertainty around accurate numbers of supporters attending, and the probability of many thousands of fans without tickets descending upon Bolton, it was not possible to further plan for this event within the margins of public safety that we normally employ.

"Greater Manchester Police is highly experienced in policing football, having some of the largest teams in the country and the world based here, and our expertise in policing such events safely is outstanding.

"It is in this context therefore that this decision not to provide policing services was made."