TRIBUTES are pouring in from the football world after the sad loss of former Bolton Wanderers owner Eddie Davies CBE.

Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson said the Little Lever born businessman, who helped fund the most successful period of the club’s modern history, will be sadly missed.

“Yesterday’s tragic news of the passing of Ed Davies was a great shock to me as we had been talking on and off all day on Monday and it is a very sad day for the Bolton Family.

“Ed, a lifelong fan of Bolton Wanderers, presided over the club during arguably its greatest ever period and latterly provided great advice, support and counsel for me during my two and a half years at the club.

“We were in daily contact and at all times I found him to be a calm and thoughtful man, whether we were talking about football or financial matters and we had a great deal of banter particularly over players, cars and number plates.

“Ed will be deeply missed particularly on match days, where he still followed the club home and away.

“We all owe Ed a tremendous amount of gratitude and our thoughts are with Sue and the family and friends during this very sad time.”

Bolton Wanderers chairman, Ken Anderson

“THE Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of BWFC President, Eddie Davies.

“He was one of our own and a Wanderer through and through. He presided over a wonderful time in the Wanderers' history, giving us Premier League football and European adventures.

“We will always be grateful to Eddie and our sincere condolences go to his wife, Sue and his family and friends. RIP Eddie as you go to join our Nat.”

Alan Houghton Chairman of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association

“It is very sad news. He was an absolute gentleman who loved his club.”

Owen Coyle, former Bolton Wanderers manager.

"We'd invariably have an end-of-season celebration back in the early 2000s and one time we all went to Chester races.

"Me and John McGinlay knew the lie of the land because we'd often organised that trip as captain and vice-captain but Eddie Davies wasn't quite as worldly-wise, so when he accompanied us one year it didn't quite go according to plan. 

"Eddie had horses but they were the Olympic kind rather than the racegoing variety and when we turned up he was dishing out tickets to the Tattersalls. 

"We knew there would be about 25,000 Liverpool and Everton fans there that day and we'd beaten both teams that season. They'd make a bee-line for Sam and myself.

"Thankfully once Eddie got into the Champagne tent he pulled a few strings and 20 bouncers turned up out of nowhere. we then ended up going off to into Cheshire to a place no-one knew where he was lord of the manor and having a great time.

"Eddie lived his life well. he had high standards and he ran his club that way.

"His background appealed to me. He was from Farnworth and made his money in electronics. I wish I had a quid for every kettle I'd had to re-wire.

"He will be very sadly missed because once he turned up on a matchday he wanted his team to win. He wanted to see efficiency and he enjoyed all the success we had."

Phil Brown

Former Wanderers player and coach

“MY thoughts are with his wife, Sue, his family and friends at this sad time.

“I had some great times with him. He had class and honour and I am honoured to have worked for him and called him a friend.

“He sacrificed so much for the club, he was Bolton Wanderers through and through, good and bad.

“It’s such a sad time for the people at the club who have been with him over many great times.

“Rest in peace, Eddie. God bless.”

Dean Holdsworth Former player and Wanderers co-owner

“It’s such sad news about Eddie. He was absolutely magnificent for the football club.”

Former Bolton Wanderers player and coach, Peter Reid.

“We are very sad to hear of the passing of Eddie Davies. Eddie was of course a close friend of Phil’s and remained a friend of the family following Phil’s death. Phil always said that the success of the Club would not have been possible were it not for Eddie’s generosity and support, and they shared a number of great memories during the Club’s journey.

"Our thoughts are with Sue and Eddie’s family at this difficult time.”

Andrew Gartside on behalf of the Gartside family.

“WE are saddened and shocked at the passing of Eddie Davies. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends at this sad time.

“Eddie was BWFC through and through and he was pivotal to the success of our club in recent times.

“His presence around the stadium on a match-day will be greatly missed by staff and supporters alike. RIP Eddie.”

Terrence Rigby Chairman of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust

“I first met Eddie Davies at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester, in late 1999. We got together to discuss a splinter group at Burnden Leisure to invest and join the board.

“They wanted to refinance the club that was seriously in debt and by introducing new capital and a fresh approach they believed the bank would back off, support them and the club would be “saved”.

“Both Eddie and I were born in 1946, both from working-class families, both became fans as Bolton won the FA Cup in 1958 and by the time I’d invested we’d both had heart by-passes.

“Eddie’s initial investment was substantially more than mine and he then took a leading role in bringing new financial disciplines to the club.

“Over the next few years he became the majority shareholder and lent the club more. By then I’d quit as a director because I had a bust-up with Phil Gartside. But with Eddie’s money and Sam Allardyce’s skill, Bolton’s fans enjoyed halcyon days.

“Eddie never wanted the limelight but along withsam he was the enabler for such great times.

“Eventually he had to get out, as the club had an insatiable appetite for money. He had to draw the line and sell-up, albeit hastily, as Phil Gartside’s death brought financial issues to a head.

“To Eddie’s credit he intervened to save the club and wrote off and then as he handed over ownership he wrote off the large debt that he was owed.

“Rest in peace, Eddie, you did the club proud. Sincere condolences to Sue and the family.”

David Speakman

Former Bolton Wanderers director

"It is with great sadness that Bolton Wanderers Football Club has learned of the passing of former owner Eddie Davies CBE.

The thoughts of all at the club are with his wife Sue, his family and friends at this sad time.

Rest in peace, Eddie.

Bolton Wanderers Football Club

"Preston North End were very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former Bolton Wanderers owner and current honorary president Eddie Davies CBE.

"The proud north west man, Eddie joined the board at his local club – having been born in Little Leaver – in 1999 and was the majority owner in their successful spell in the Premier League and Europe.

"He always had a strong friendship with Preston North End and the club sends its condolences and best wishes to his wife Sue, his family, friends and everyone at Bolton Wanderers at this sad time."

Preston North End Football Club