Hundreds of Bolton Wanderers fans have begun a petition to get sacked Southend United groundsman Ken Hare reinstated, following the postponed match between the two sides last weekend.

Hare, who had served the club for 27 years, was held responsible for the frozen pitch that prompted the game's cancellation and news broke of his dismissal on Monday.

The pitch at Southend's Roots Hall ground was deemed unplayable by the referee four hours before kick-off on Saturday, with many Bolton supporters having already traveled south.

Though at first understandably disgruntled, many among the Trotters faithful have moved to defend Hare upon hearing of his sacking.

A petition on Change.org reads: "On Saturday 21st January 2017, the football pitch at Roots Hall, home of Southend United FC was deemed unplayable and the match against Bolton Wanderers was postponed leaving hundreds of Bolton fans having to travel back home.

"Head groundsman for Southend United, Ken Hare, has since been sacked after 27 years in the job for what was probably a simple error of judgement.