More than 1,200 people attended Bolton Wanderers’ Christmas Carol Service in the Premier Suite on Tuesday evening.
They were treated to an evening of traditional carols as well as a drama production that put an innovative twist on the nativity.
Chairman Phil Gartside and Fabrice Muamba both attended the event, which will be broadcast on Christmas morning between 6am-7am on 107.4 Tower FM..
Club chaplain Phil Mason explained: “It was a really good evening and we were absolutely delighted that so many fans were able to come along. The mass choir and Bolton Junior Youth Choir, which is a mix of local schoolchildren, led us in the carols, and they were both terrific and very popular with all the people there.
“There was also a drama piece that was very different. It was written as if the birth of Jesus hadn’t happened in the traditional setting, but in a football stadium. Joseph was a footballer, Mary was a WAG, the shepherds were the football supporters, and the wise men were three football managers from different clubs all looking for the new Messi, or Messiah.
“We had lots of different representatives of faith groups, including Hindu and Muslim faith as well as Christian and the Bishop of Bolton, along with other church leaders, led the blessing at the end of the evening.
All proceeds from the service were donated to the Hearts & Goals campaign.