Sports Shield consortium completes £7.5m Bolton Wanderers takeover

Bolton Wanderers have been taken over by the Sports Shield consortium led by ex-Trotters striker Dean Holdsworth, the club have confirmed.

First announced last month, the £7.5m deal sees Sports Shield and investment network Inner Circle, which is owned by businessman Ken Anderson, acquire Eddie Davies’ 94.5% share of BWFC owner Burnden Leisure, the Guardian has reported.

On the official Bolton Wanderers FC website, a statement published today (March 10) read: “Bolton Wanderers Football Club is delighted to announce that a deal between Sports Shield, Inner Circle and Eddie Davies to transfer ownership of the club has officially been completed.

“All documentation has been signed, submitted and ratified by the Football League.”

The statement continued: “Dean Holdsworth and Ken Anderson will both join the board of directors at Bolton Wanderers, with details on further roles to be announced in due course.”

Following the transaction, Davies will remain as honorary club president.

Discussing the takeover, Holdsworth thanked Davies for his “dedication and contribution” to the club over the years.

Speaking further, he said: “We would also like to thank the staff, fans and club sponsors for their continued support during what has been an incredibly difficult period for all involved. Securing the club’s future was of paramount importance.

“This is a great day for Bolton Wanderers football club and Sports Shield.”

Holdsworth added: “We very much hope that we can build on the continued support of a club steeped in history for many years to come.”

Earlier this week, Bolton appeared before the High Court and received their third and final adjournment over a winding-up order from HMRC.