Wanderers beat top line competition today with a successful swoop for Blackpool goalkeeper Steve Banks.

Colin Todd clinched the transfer just hours before the 5 o'clock transfer deadline after agreeing a deal with the reluctant Seasiders, who didn't want to lose the player.

He then switched his sights to a loan deal for a Premiership midfield player, who is currently out of the 1st Xl. But the club involved had previously refused to release the player.

The Wanderers boss was delighted, though, to solve his current goalkeeping problem by recruiting a player Manchester United's Peter Schmeichel rates as "one of the best goalkeepers outside the Premiership."

The transfer fee has not been disclosed - Blackpool manager Nigel Worthington described it as "nominal" - but Wanderers appear to have picked up a real bargain.

The 27-year-old was rated at £1 million at the start of the season but his value dropped the closer he got to the end of his contract this summer, when he would have been entitled to a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

A £250,000 transfer to Celtic collapsed in December when Banks failed to agree personal terms with the Glasgow giants.

Todd, who has tracked Banks for some time, always planned to be in the running for his signature in the summer but chose to move in early with a cash offer after seeing regular No 1 Jussi Jaaskelainen's confidence suffer in recent weeks while Keith Branagan is still short of match fitness after a long lay-off following surgery on a groin problem.

"We've got the green light for the deal," Todd confirmed. "The transfer agreement is done and we are meeting the player today. I don't see any problems.

"I know there have been a lot of clubs chasing him. Manchester United have had a look and I know Celtic were disappointed. But I've been close to the situation for a long time.

"He would have been a close season target but I know for a fact that we need him now.

"Jussi needs a rest and Keith Branagan isn't quite ready."

Banks sounded confident the deal would go through when he said: "My aim at Bolton is to get into the first team and win promotion. It's always been my ambition to play in the Premiership and I hope to be doing that with Bolton."

Former Wanderers favourite John McGinlay, who announced his enforced retirement from football earlier this month, will be the guest speaker at tonight's meeting of the supporters club (BWSA) which takes place in the Lion of Vienna Suite at the Reebok Stadium.

The meeting starts at 7.45 and admission is free to members, £1 for non members.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.