Dear fellow Wanderer,

On 6th January 2016 in the Premier Suite at the Macron, I shared an emotional and passionate evening with a thousand fellow Whites fans. At the open meeting, we heard about what a Supporters’ Trust could achieve in giving the BWFC fans a voice in the governance of our wonderful club. The guys from Pompey told us about the troubles they had been through and how their Trust was helping to rescue and rebuild their own club.

After hearing their impressive story, we were asked to vote on whether we wanted to go ahead and form our very own Supporters’ Trust. The unanimous, yes, UNANIMOUS vote to go ahead and form the BWFCST made me feel proud to be a Wanderer and humbled to be associated with you wonderful fans. Acting on your mandate to form the Trust, Mike, Chris and Ian worked tirelessly with Supporters Direct to press ahead with your wishes. On 15th January 2016, the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust was formally registered in record time. On 18th January 2016, our club was put through the ignominy and embarrassment of facing a winding up hearing in the High Court. After 2 adjournments, our proud and historic club was within minutes of being wound up and banished from existence.

I appeal to you to help make sure that this never happens again. On the crest of the passionate wave that was generated on the 6th January, you magnificent Whites fans showed your support and registered your pledges to become members of the BWFCST. Well then, I’m pleased to say that the Trust bank account is now open and it’s time to turn those pledges into memberships. The Trust Steering Group are a committed and dedicated group of lifelong BWFC fans, who are working tirelessly towards establishing your Trust. Elections are being planned and as a Trust member, you will be able to vote for your chosen individuals to form the first BWFCST elected board. I know from being involved with and seeing the way the Steering Group are working towards this goal that the BWFCST will be a true and worthy organisation. Your Trust will represent the fans in ensuring that BWFC gains some stability after several years of decline, which culminated in the near winding up last week. I hope you share my feelings that OUR club must never again experience the disaster of nearly being wound up. So please help by turning your pledges into full membership now. Just follow the instructions below and join the BWFCST either online, by post or in person. You will be able to join the Trust before every game as there will be Trust members available in the FanZone to register your membership and answer any questions you may have.

If you have already turned your pledges into full membership, then thank you so much. But please don't stop there. Why not persuade a few family members and friends to join you as a Trust member.

Please help your club to gain stability and sustainability – please join the Trust today!