Bolton Wanderers fans are set to issue a tribute to Jake Rothwell in the 36th minute of the match against Stockport County
13:48, 06 Apr 2026Updated 16:35, 06 Apr 2026
Jake Rothwell (Image: Family handout)
Loving tributes have been paid to a keen Bolton Wanderers fan who has sadly died at the age of just 36.
Farnworth local, Jake Rothwell, sadly died on April 1, his family said. His death was sudden and it is not yet known what the cause was, the M.E.N understands.
He leaves behind his partner Beccy and two children Lucia and Theo, as well as his mother Gaynor and siblings Katie and Jordan.
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His partner, Beccy Wheeler, said: “He was my best friend and the love of my life. The funniest, kindest, loudest person.”
Paying tribute, his daughter Lucia described her dad as ‘so loving’ and ‘full of laughter’. “I’m so much like him, and I’ll carry him with me every day. I love him always and I’ll miss him forever.”
A lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan, Jake went to many matches together with his friend Luke Robinson, including to the club’s EFL victory over Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium in 2023. “He would always celebrate so loudly, blowing whistles and blowing my ears out,” Luke remembered.
He, alongside some of Jake’s loved ones, have organised a tribute for today’s match at home against Stockport County (April 6), which will see the whole stadium will join in clapping in the 36th minute.
“I thought it would be nice for his family to feel that community support in what’s been such a tough time,” Luke said.
Jake Rothwell and his daughter(Image: Family handout )
Luke added: “You often get the cliché after someone passes away that they were irreplaceable. But Jake definitely was, he was one-of-a-kind.
“He had that ability to connect with people. He’d listen into people’s conversations, and I’d be cringing, but he would join in, and they’d bond instantly.
“He was very sociable and well-known around Farnworth for the right reasons. He defined the term ‘people person’, he was the loudest and funniest at any party.
“He could turn a bad day into a good one. He was such a big character, it’s so surreal and tough to take that he has gone. But we were lucky to know him in the first place.”
Luke’s post about Jake on the Bolton Wanderers Remembrance Group has attracted more than a hundred comments of support. “Can guarantee County fans will be right behind this,” wrote Phil Young. “Rivalries will always be put to one side for things like this. RIP matey.”
Jake’s family and loved ones have launched a fundraiser to help fund his funeral which can be donated to here.