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Phil Parkinson paid tribute to the “incredible legacy” left by former owner Eddie Davies after attending his memorial service yesterday.
The Wanderers boss joined other club officials such as Paul Aldridge, Jimmy Phillips and Julian Darby at Bolton Parish Church to celebrate the life of the Little Lever-born businessman who invested millions of his fortune into his hometown club.
Parkinson was appointed after Davies had sold Wanderers in 2016 but says the infrastructure and facilities he inherited were a testament to the Premier League team he had helped to construct.
A £3million academy training centre, named after Davies, is now shared by the first team after the sale of Euxton to ease the club's financial troubles a couple of years ago.
“He invested an enormous amount of money into the club over the years and gave so many people so many good times,” he told The Bolton News. “When I arrived at the club people were still talking about the training ground we had sold to keep afloat – but I looked and saw the academy, and the facilities we have there, and thought ‘it’s not bad at all.’
“You see the stadium and hear about how Bolton competed at Premier League level and it’s something everyone at this club should feel proud of.
“It was an honour to be there at his memorial and there were so many fantastic tributes to Eddie in the service, which was really well done. He’s done so much for the club but also for the local area as well.
“We heard how he has given Bolton Wanderers supporters so many memories, took them on a journey into European games and some fantastic times, so that is an incredible legacy that he has left.”
Other footballing luminaries, Wanderers and otherwise, were present at the service, including Tony Kelly, former chief executive Allan Duckworth, ex-vice chairman Brett Warburton and Preston North End chief Peter Risdale.
Parkinson may not have worked directly under Davies but his influence was still felt heavily around the stadium where he rarely missed a match.
“I got to know him after becoming manager and he’d occasionally come down with us for a chat after the game,” the manager said.
“I bumped into him around the hotel and as many people said in the service he always had a kind word. If you’d been beaten or won, he didn’t fluctuate, he’d always have encouraging words of advice for you.”
The Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust also conveyed their thoughts on the former owner.
“Eddie was a successful business man and an avid BWFC fan,” said a statement from the board. “During the early 2000s he used his wealth to push his club to heights not experienced since the 1950s, whilst all the time retaining his passion for our club.
“He enabled us to delight in the skills of world class players wearing the white shirt of BWFC. For that we thank you, Eddie.”
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The Wanderers boss joined other club officials such as Paul Aldridge, Jimmy Phillips and Julian Darby at Bolton Parish Church to celebrate the life of the Little Lever-born businessman who invested millions of his fortune into his hometown club.
Parkinson was appointed after Davies had sold Wanderers in 2016 but says the infrastructure and facilities he inherited were a testament to the Premier League team he had helped to construct.
A £3million academy training centre, named after Davies, is now shared by the first team after the sale of Euxton to ease the club's financial troubles a couple of years ago.
“He invested an enormous amount of money into the club over the years and gave so many people so many good times,” he told The Bolton News. “When I arrived at the club people were still talking about the training ground we had sold to keep afloat – but I looked and saw the academy, and the facilities we have there, and thought ‘it’s not bad at all.’
“You see the stadium and hear about how Bolton competed at Premier League level and it’s something everyone at this club should feel proud of.
“It was an honour to be there at his memorial and there were so many fantastic tributes to Eddie in the service, which was really well done. He’s done so much for the club but also for the local area as well.
“We heard how he has given Bolton Wanderers supporters so many memories, took them on a journey into European games and some fantastic times, so that is an incredible legacy that he has left.”
Other footballing luminaries, Wanderers and otherwise, were present at the service, including Tony Kelly, former chief executive Allan Duckworth, ex-vice chairman Brett Warburton and Preston North End chief Peter Risdale.
Parkinson may not have worked directly under Davies but his influence was still felt heavily around the stadium where he rarely missed a match.
“I got to know him after becoming manager and he’d occasionally come down with us for a chat after the game,” the manager said.
“I bumped into him around the hotel and as many people said in the service he always had a kind word. If you’d been beaten or won, he didn’t fluctuate, he’d always have encouraging words of advice for you.”
The Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust also conveyed their thoughts on the former owner.
“Eddie was a successful business man and an avid BWFC fan,” said a statement from the board. “During the early 2000s he used his wealth to push his club to heights not experienced since the 1950s, whilst all the time retaining his passion for our club.
“He enabled us to delight in the skills of world class players wearing the white shirt of BWFC. For that we thank you, Eddie.”
Source