Bolton Wanderers are proud to announce that Bolton Wanderers Women’s First Team are to be fully integrated into club operations as part of long-term plans to expand support for the women’s game in Bolton.
The strategic move will see day-to-day operations of the Women’s First Team move out of Bolton Wanderers in the Community and incorporated into the club from the start of the 2024/25 season.
The aim is to increase the visibility of the players, staff and the Women’s playing schedule, improve infrastructure around the team and increase investment via commercial sponsorships and matchday revenue.
Sharon Brittan, Chairman of Bolton Wanderers said: “This is a huge moment for us as a club and on International Women’s Day, we are so proud to share this news with our supporters.
“We are one club, one community and one town and today’s announcement is a clear statement of our intent to give women’s football in Bolton the platform and support it deserves to progress and professionalise.
“With many incredible female staff members already working at the centre of our club operations, I am delighted this new move will see even more inspiring and ambitious women welcomed into the very heart of Bolton Wanderers.
“This process will be led by our CEO, Neil Hart, and the staff and team have my full support. I look forward to following their progress in the months and years ahead.”
Neil Hart, Chief Executive Officer at Bolton Wanderers said: “The integration of the Women’s First Team has been a goal for Bolton Wanderers for a number of years and we are thrilled to be in the position to now announce this exciting development in our club operations.
“We are full of ambition for the team and very serious in our intent to take Bolton Wanderers Women to the next level. Our aim is to semi-professionalise the squad and to deliver pragmatic progress over the coming years.
“For too long the Women’s team has been run outside of club operations and this will now change. We would also like to confirm our full support for the Girls' Youth Development Squads which will continue to be operated by Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
“I would like to thank the BWitC team for their sterling work over recent years, including Phil Mason, Ben Lawton and Carl Halliwell who have dedicated so much to the Women’s team and worked incredibly hard to support the journey so far.
“We now look forward to taking this significant step forward, side by side with Bolton Wanderers Women and all our partners.”
Further updates on the integration of Bolton Wanderers Women into club operations will be delivered in due course.