Bolton Wanderers bond scheme invites fans to put money into club

The Whites are looking for fresh investment to help them reach and establish themselves at Championship level – the second level of English football – and are offering the prospect of financial returns to those who pledge their money.

The club is looking to make big improvements to its infrastructure, including the Lostock training pitch, internet connectivity at the stadium, the FanZone and the concourses.

And the club’s owners, Football Ventures, plan to follow clubs like Norwich, Peterborough United and QPR by asking for fans and investors to put in money up front, with the lure of an improved return down the line.

Neil Hart, Wanderers' CEO, said: “Very simply, we want to get to the Championship and stabilise the club there.

“Funding is required to develop areas of Bolton Wanderers and achieve that key objective, and the Wanderers Bond offers a route to do that and for supporters to play a part in growing the club.

"Funds raised from the initiative will be utilised in two ways, for sporting enhancements including player recruitment, training facilities and advanced sports science, and also to improve club infrastructure in areas such as the Fan Zone, the ticket office and club shop, concourses, hospitality and for improving connectivity at the stadium, which is long overdue.”

The Wanderers Bond is an investment of a minimum of £500 with a fixed rate of interest at 8.5 per cent each year, and with a 10 per cent bonus upon the club competing in the EFL Championship for the 24/25 season.

The club said the money will be paid back in full after the five years are up, or if the club is sold.

But a statement on the club's website also warns: "Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

"This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong."

Camera Sport (Image: Camera Sport)

Asked why a retail bond issue has been given the green light now, nearly four years since Football Ventures took charge of the club, board member, Nick Luckock, said: “There are a few reasons, firstly there is some infrastructure investment that we are planning for this summer and that can only be done at this time of year, it’s a practical reason.

“Secondly, of course, we want to invest in the playing squad, and I don’t know what will happen over the next three or four weeks, but we should be prepared for that.

“The third is that on the journey we have been on so far we now feel like we have reached that point in maturity and trust that we can actually go and ask people for their hard-earned cash, offer them an attractive investment opportunity.

“But at the end of the day, they are placing their trust in us. It felt like it was the right time.”

The University of Bolton Stadium (Image: Newsquest)

Leading sports advisory and capital solutions firm Tifosi will work with the Whites on the scheme and are fully endorsed by the Financial Standards Authority.

Football Ventures will continue investing in the club outside of the bond scheme.