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From its origins as a humble think tank tasked with generating ideas to save their club, to the current incarnation which will soon hold
its first elections, the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust has come a long, long way in a short space of time.
In January, the trust was born out of necessity as the Whites’ financial future looked bleak. Events since have meant a steady evolution, but the BWFCST has become a prominent voice at the Macron Stadium and in its discussions with the club’s ownership over funding the academy, could soon strengthen its hand further still.
The handful of people who reignited the idea of a trust at the end of last year largely remain in place, ready to hand over power to a fully-elected body in the coming months.
But one man whose vast business experience was tapped into from the very start, Richard Hurst, has now stepped aside as interim chairman of the steering group.
Hurst, whose material engineering firm Richard Threlfall Ltd is among the oldest in Bolton, has now handed over to Ian Bridge, a lifelong fan and chartered engineer who was also one of the founder members.
Proud of the progress made by the trust – who lest we forget only opened their official bank account in February – Hurst believes it can now become even more influential in the years to come.
“I’m amazed at what has been achieved,” he told The Bolton News. “The speed at which we got pledges surprised everyone but the progress we have made has purely been down to the hard work and diligence shown by the talented individuals on the steering group.
“I have been thoroughly impressed with their breadth of knowledge and experience and I am convinced I am leaving the trust in very safe hands.
“I hope the trust can now push on. We have met with both Dean Holdsworth and Ken Anderson and both have taken the view that they would support us working alongside the club.
“Under certain conditions they would also be in favour of us having a representative on the board.
“The club and its staff have been very supportive, have offered us excellent support and facilities and I’d also like to thank the press – both written and radio – for the help they have given us in getting this off the ground.”
Hurst, now retired, has taken up a position as Bolton Golf Club’s captain and admits the role is using up much of his spare time.
“It is the reason I could only take the chairmanship with the trust on an interim basis,” he said. “There is a lot of work involved both in playing, organising and on the social side – but don’t get me wrong, it’s thoroughly enjoyable!
“I certainly think in the steering group we have people who are immensely capable of leading the trust forward towards the elections and into a very exciting future.”
Ian Bridge thanked Hurst on behalf of the steering group and the current membership, adding: “We would like to express our gratitude to Richard for his valued input in helping to establish the trust. His guidance and assistance has been invaluable and we wish him well in his role as BGC captain.”
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its first elections, the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust has come a long, long way in a short space of time.
In January, the trust was born out of necessity as the Whites’ financial future looked bleak. Events since have meant a steady evolution, but the BWFCST has become a prominent voice at the Macron Stadium and in its discussions with the club’s ownership over funding the academy, could soon strengthen its hand further still.
The handful of people who reignited the idea of a trust at the end of last year largely remain in place, ready to hand over power to a fully-elected body in the coming months.
But one man whose vast business experience was tapped into from the very start, Richard Hurst, has now stepped aside as interim chairman of the steering group.
Hurst, whose material engineering firm Richard Threlfall Ltd is among the oldest in Bolton, has now handed over to Ian Bridge, a lifelong fan and chartered engineer who was also one of the founder members.
Proud of the progress made by the trust – who lest we forget only opened their official bank account in February – Hurst believes it can now become even more influential in the years to come.
“I’m amazed at what has been achieved,” he told The Bolton News. “The speed at which we got pledges surprised everyone but the progress we have made has purely been down to the hard work and diligence shown by the talented individuals on the steering group.
“I have been thoroughly impressed with their breadth of knowledge and experience and I am convinced I am leaving the trust in very safe hands.
“I hope the trust can now push on. We have met with both Dean Holdsworth and Ken Anderson and both have taken the view that they would support us working alongside the club.
“Under certain conditions they would also be in favour of us having a representative on the board.
“The club and its staff have been very supportive, have offered us excellent support and facilities and I’d also like to thank the press – both written and radio – for the help they have given us in getting this off the ground.”
Hurst, now retired, has taken up a position as Bolton Golf Club’s captain and admits the role is using up much of his spare time.
“It is the reason I could only take the chairmanship with the trust on an interim basis,” he said. “There is a lot of work involved both in playing, organising and on the social side – but don’t get me wrong, it’s thoroughly enjoyable!
“I certainly think in the steering group we have people who are immensely capable of leading the trust forward towards the elections and into a very exciting future.”
Ian Bridge thanked Hurst on behalf of the steering group and the current membership, adding: “We would like to express our gratitude to Richard for his valued input in helping to establish the trust. His guidance and assistance has been invaluable and we wish him well in his role as BGC captain.”
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