A LIFELONG Bolton Wanderers fan from America is making the trip to go to his first ever home match — just as his beloved team are relegated.

Mark Johnson lives in Columbia in South Carolina, but has flown over to watch tomorrow's game against Hull City.

The story about how the dad-of-two became a Whites fan begins with his father, who used to travel to Manchester on business.

On his return he would bring back football shirts and scarves from the team his English colleague supported — Bolton Wanderers.

The 50-year-old, who was a keen young football player, said by the age of 10 he soon had a whole range of Wanderers memorabilia.

Mr Johnson said: "My first visit to England was in August 1980 when, as a 14-year-old, I was one of 10 or so Americans to attend the FA school in Matlock.

"Coincidentally Bolton had just been relegated. I returned to England in 1987 for a study abroad programme, and coincidentally Bolton were relegated that season too.

"On my third trip to England, I had started to pay attention to the promotion and relegation system and realised that the team I supported were not a big deal. Not at all."

Despite being somewhat underwhelmed by his childhood team Mr Johnson began to follow the Whites on the internet and television.

He added: "I would take pride in wearing my Bolton shirt to the local soccer pub, in a sea of Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal shirts I was the only Bolton shirt."

Having never made it to an actual match Mr Johnson said he took the opportunity to ask his wife if they could take a trip to the Macron, on the back end of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in Ireland, this week.

The diehard Bolton fan said: "I kept mentioning 'and a trip to Bolton?' in our planning conversations and finally she acquiesced.

"Tickets to the game were easy to come by and a stay in the Whites Hotel was too, so we made our reservations.

"I knew good and well we were in a relegation battle but I believed we would find a way to stay up.

"However relegation was confirmed.

"But I'm still excited to be going to the stupid game and things are sure to get worse before they get better, but I will be there, in another trip to England and another relegation season for Bolton.

"So if you see me come congratulate me on my 25 years of marriage to a wonderful and indulgent woman and commiserate me on the plight of our favourite club and maybe offer me a pint — the beers seem to be helping."