Bolton fan has no regrets after leaving job in Oz to watch 5-0 defeat
By Peter Smith (The Sentinel)
BOLTON fan Ian Wagstaff insists he has no regrets after giving up a £38,500-a-year job in Australia to travel across the world for his side’s doomed FA Cup semi-final against Stoke.
The sheet metal worker handed in his resignation after being told he could not take time off from work in Brisbane to make it back for the Wembley showdown on Sunday.
The 50-year-old served four weeks’ notice and spent more than £1,000 to take his seat at the big match... only to see the Potters romp home to a 5-0 victory.
But Wagstaff, who has lived Down Under for 23 years, said: “I’m devastated, but I wouldn’t change anything – apart from the result.
“It was great to see the smaller clubs like Bolton and Stoke take pride of place on such a big occasion, even if we did have to see our team get played off the park.
“The atmosphere was electric and the Stoke fans were superb, I really hope they can go on and finish the job to lift the cup against Manchester City. Good luck to them.”
Wagstaff last went to watch Bolton in 1994 at Burnden Park and he had never even been to the Reebok Stadium, which opened in 1997 when he decided to make the 10,500-mile trip.
The father-of-three was determined to witness The Trotters reach their first FA Cup final since 1958, when they beat Manchester United 2-0 thanks to goals from Nat Lofthouse.
He is now planning to take in his first top-flight match before returning to his home and family in Australia in two months’ time to begin the hunt for a new job.
“I’ve been a Bolton fan all my life and watched them in every division apart from the Premier League,” said Wagstaff, who follows his club via the internet.
“When we reach the semi, I told my boss I wanted to go, but he said we were too busy. I told him I was going anyway.
“I just saw it as pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I could not miss it. I have no regrets at all.
“Still, I hope and dream that I don’t have to wait another 53 years to see Wanderers in an FA Cup final, I don’t think I will be around to see them then.”