WOMEN’S football will no longer be played competitively under a Bolton Wanderers banner after ties were severed with the town’s team.

Bolton Ladies, who play in National League North Division One alongside Newcastle United, Leeds United and Bradford City, have ended their association with the club’s Community Trust and will now strike out independently.

The club will now revert to its original name, incorporated in 1989, from the start of the 2020/21 season.

Chris Knights, the first team manager, believes the separation will now allow his club to pursue improved commercial opportunities and give the team a better chance in a competitive league.

“Realistically it was a decision we had to take,” he told The Bolton News. “As a club we felt we had to stand on our own two feet, make our own decisions, if we are going to grow and improve.

“Football at this level is really moving on. A lot of teams are paying players and we need to be in a position to attract the better ones if we are going to progress.

“I’m excited about the direction we are going in as a club and I hope the town can back us too.”

The team was promoted into the FAWNL for the first time in its history in 2017 and has since grown a steady fanbase playing at Atherton Colls’ Skuna Stadium, where they will continue to play next season.

Wanderers have been approached for official comment - and it is understood that women's football does have a role to play at the club as part of the ongoing restructure of the department.

The Community Trust will also continue their popular coaching sessions for men and women around the town.

Wanderers maintain they will still be providing women’s football via the Community Trust’s coaching sessions around the town.

The club has girls teams ranging from Under-9 level to Under-14s and operates sessions in schools through the Premier League Primary Stars and in communities via the Premier League Kicks programmes.

There are also plans to extend the BWFC Girls teams from Under-8s to Under-18s.