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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

'Special squad' - Sharon Brittan's brilliant Bolton Wanderers message after recent successes

Bolton Wanderers chairman Sharon Brittan has hailed the efforts of the Whites' squad over the past two seasons as she believes the club is well and truly back and heading in the right direction.

Wanderers have been under the ownership of Football Ventures headed by Brittan since August 2019 as the club was saved from demise.

After relegation to League Two, the club appointed Ian Evatt as Wanderers boss in the summer of 2020, and embarked on a journey which saw Wanderers achieve automatic promotion in the 2020/21 campaign.

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This season saw Wanderers end the season in ninth place on a total of 73 points, a great achievement for a newly promoted club and the sights are firmly set at challenging at the top end of this division next campaign.

In a written message to those attending the club's End of Season Awards, held last night for the first time in five years at the University of Bolton Stadium, Brittan reflected on the achievements of the past two years and the season which concluded over the weekend.

And she has paid tribute to all those connected to Wanderers on and off the pitch in helping to get the club back to its 'rightful standing' in football as the Whites continue to progress higher up the game's pyramid.

Brittan wrote: "So much has happened at Bolton Wanderers Football Club since we were last able to come together as the Bolton Family and enjoy an evening like we are about to experience tonight.

"However, we meet here tonight under the lights of a club embarking on a progressive journey, to finally celebrate not only that unfortgettable promotion to League One in May last year but to also reflect on what has been a strong and successful 2021/22 season, which has created many special memories.

"The manager, Ian Evatt, his staff and this group of players have brought hope and belief back to all Wanderers fans wuth a superb track record at home, impressive away days, and that monumental 6-0 over Sunderland - an afternoon that will live long in the memory!

"But it's not just the passion and pride that these players bring to the pitch, it's what they represent off it too. This club is inextricably linked to its town and community and it's clear these players have a deep respect for that.

"They have built a natural and special rapport with our supporters who, in turn, in their tens of thousands, week after week, back their efforts home and away. It's something I'm incredibly proud of.

"I would like to pay tribute to our partners and stakeholders, including tonight's sponsors Franking Sense, who stood shoulder to shoulder to help us guide Bolton Wanderers through some of the club's darkest times - many of whom are in the room tonight.

"We simply would not be here without your loyalty and love for this club and we thank you for your unparalleled support.

"And finally my thanks to the staff off the pitch, who work so hard every day to continue bringing this club back to life and to its rightful standing in the world of football.

"Our ethos of 'One Club, One Community, One Town' feels more pertinent than ever.

"So, as we celebrate this special squad, we will rejoice in their recent successes and enjoy that unmistakable feeling of Bolton being back - and here to stay!"

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