Fast forward a few years. The latter end of 2015 sees our Club planted firmly at the foot of the Championship and reporting a debt of approaching £180m, a dramatic reversal of fortunes by any standards. The Club had been openly for sale for a period of time, but with little reported interest. Several times, sketchy reports surfaced of a potential deal with another new party expressing a level of interest in buying the Club. Nothing ever materialised. No reasons were given for the breakdown of any potential takeover. All the while, the Club was descending into further debt, fuelled by lack of success on the field, falling gates and unaffordable running expenses. New owners were still being sought, but with little success. Supporters were becoming increasingly disconnected from their Club.

It was in this environment that several interested and concerned fans independently contacted Supporters Direct to investigate what was actually involved in setting up a Supporters’ Trust. Genuine concern for their beloved Club’s current plight, allied to the deteriorating situations both on and off the field, moved these concerned supporters to take some action. The individual supporters who made contact with Supporters Direct were put in touch with each other. A preliminary meeting was held with Supporters Direct and the wheels were put in motion to move things forward. At the time, the idea of a Supporters’ Trust was little more than that, an idea. The first step towards gaining the BWFC supporters a voice was to organise an open meeting to assess whether there was a fans desire to move forwards with a trust. Bearing in mind the failed attempt of some years previous, it was very much an unknown as to whether a mandate would be gained to move forwards.

On 15 January 2016, the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust formally came into being, when registration documents were issued by the FCA. Club legends Kevin Davies and John McGinlay pledged their support and helped with the membership drive at the Eastleigh FA Cup replay on 19th January 2016. This amazing support from the BWFC Supermen pushed membership pledges past an incredible 5,000. At the time of writing, numbers continue to grow towards the 6,000 mark.

BWFCST is by the fans and for the fans. The Trust will be democratically run by an elected board. The Trust has been founded to provide the BWFC supporters with a real say in the running of their Club, both in the short term and long term.