As a professional footballer with Bolton Wanderers FC in the John McGinlay years Lee Potter knows plenty about hard work and being a team player.

So, after leaving football and then a successful 20-year career in the motor trade, Lee transferred those skills to his own business. And, just two years after he launched B2B Workwear & Janitorial, it is a thriving, successful business.

“Football taught me a lot,” explained the lifelong Whites’ supporter. “Being in the motor trade added to those skills and both areas gave me some amazing connections.”

Lee, now 44, was with the Williams BMW and MINI Group, where he worked his way up to senior management positions before moving into the workwear field.

Plans to open his own workwear business, however, were temporarily hit by Covid and lockdown – “but we decided to go ahead anyway,” added Lee.

That was two years ago and it proved a rocky road. As well as all the restrictions of lockdown, they had to invest in new machines like the costly embroidery and printing machines.

“When I went into the motor trade, I had a lot of contacts and sold a large number of cars to people I’d met through football,” stated Lee.

“When we started this business, we were really keen to partner with Bolton Wanderers and now have an advertising board in the East Stand which is really exciting for us. It feels good to be back at the Wanderers again!

“We were also really keen to support local businesses and sports teams. I contacted my old team-mate John McGinley to look at sponsoring his team University of Bolton Borough FC. We are now delighted to be main sponsor, supporting John and the team with their journey through the leagues.”

Lee, wife Samantha, his eldest daughter Elle and the rest of the 10-strong staff have all built up B2B Workwear to today’s successful level. They have an impressive client list from the motor trade, sports and local businesses.

After starting business life in a rented space in Breightmet, the firm has now moved into its own premises in Darcy Lever which they have extensively renovated, with more plans to build a large adjacent warehouse.

“We do work hard as a company,” stated Lee, “and we specialise in providing a professional service and turning jobs around quickly.”