WANDERERS have taken the unprecedented step of informing legend John McGinlay he is not welcome at Monday’s game against West Brom.

Whites officials have informed the Scot he will not be granted a press pass to work as a pundit for BBC Radio Manchester, nor will he be welcomed as a guest by the club from now on.

McGinlay had been critical of Wanderers’ ownership in recent weeks and was told by the club on Tuesday that his ‘privileges’ had been revoked.

It is understood the punishment was taken one step further yesterday when exception was taken at some critical comments made by the 54-year-old at a fans’ forum in Bolton, aired live by the BBC, about Phil Parkinson’s style of play.

Wanderers told the station they thought it would be “inappropriate” for McGinlay to appear following “negative comments about the manager and the team” and that his intention to walk with supporters during a planned protest before the game had also been taken into account.

A statement from BBC Radio Manchester read: “We are very disappointed to hear John McGinlay’s accreditation request to cover Monday’s game for BBC Radio Manchester has been denied.

“While we take on board your concerns, we do not feel it is right for the club to decide who is able to be part of our commentary team and who is not.

“As far as being supportive of the team is concerned, we have a duty to be fair and impartial and that also means hearing the concerns of fans and raising their questions, in addition to giving the club’s viewpoint. It’s not uncommon, or unfair, for clubs to feel questioned or challenged when things aren’t going well on or off the pitch; this isn’t something we should shy away from covering on behalf of faithful fans.”

McGinlay was voted behind Nat Lofthouse as the second-greatest player in Wanderers’ history in an official fans’ vote at the turn of the millennium.

In five years he scored 118 goals for the club, including the last at Burnden Park, and finished with more than 20 goals in four consecutive seasons.

Under Bruce Rioch he helped Wanderers climb from the old Division Three to the Premier League and also forged a record-breaking partnership with Nathan Blake as he fired Colin Todd’s side back into the top flight in 1997.

He has been a regular co-commentator on BBC Radio Manchester since returning from a spell coaching in America several years ago.