BOLTON Wanderers’ bond scheme has received a huge investment by soon-to-be stadium sponsors, Toughsheet.

This month, the football revealed it was launching a bond scheme to raise £4m to establish themselves at Championship level and improve fan experiences.

Under the scheme, owners Football Ventures are asking for fans and investors to put money in the club, with the minimum set at £500.

And now, Toughsheet’s owner, Dougie Mercer, whose company will take over as principle sponsors from the University of Bolton Stadium this summer, has made an investment of £250,000.

Dougie said: “I have been a fan since I was a child and since my company sponsor the club, I wanted to invest.

The Bolton News: Toughsheet

“I think what Ian Evatt has achieved is incredible in the last three years, so it’s time now to step up and make money available to him to get good players and enter the Championship.

“I have been so impressed with how they are running the club, I like the way they do business because it’s run like a community.”

The bond scheme has a fixed interest rate of 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.

Invested money will also be paid back in full after the five-year term, or if the club is sold.

Investment company Tifosy have also worked with clubs like Norwich, Peterborough United and QPR.

The Bolton News: Stadium

Norwich City sought to raise £3.5m with a bond scheme launched five years ago to raise money for their academy. They achieved £5m and it has now been repaid.

Dougie added: “I am very confident of the future with a good team once money is invested in the football club.”

Money invested also go towards improving the Lostock training pitch and enhancements to the University of Bolton Stadium, with an improved fan zone experience.

But those investing are also warned by Tifosy of the risks associated with bond schemes of any kind.

A statement on their website reads: “Wanderers Bonds represent an investment opportunity and therefore your capital is at risk and returns cannot be guaranteed.

“The risks and significant considerations involved in investing are made clear at every stage of the investment process.”