DEAN Holdsworth has spoken of his pride at “saving” Bolton Wanderers.

The former striker, whose Sports Shield consortium pulled the football club back from the brink of administration this morning at the High Court, is just one step away from being confirmed as the new owner.

Wanderers won a 14-day adjournment at the High Court on the strength of Sports Shield’s accepted bid – which should now go through with Football League approval.

It ends a long chase for the 47-year-old whose bid has been by far the most durable in a saga that has stretched on for several months.

“It is a great day and I’m absolutely honoured to be a part of this club again,” he told The Bolton News.

“More importantly it lets the people who have been at this club through thick and thin look forward to the future.

“I can’t put into words what a tough process this has been.

“We shouldn’t have been talking about saving a football club but to do it makes this a very special thing for us.”

Fans and former players have been reacting to news of Wanderers' day in court and the takeover. 

Former Wanderers captain and club legend Kevin Davies told The Bolton News: “It seems like it is the end of a long saga. I think we have to look forward and see what this group has to offer now.

“I think the new owners have a big job of convincing the fans and getting the trust back from everybody.

“The new owners have a lot of questions still to answer but it is good to have a bit of clarity in the situation.”

Whites fan of 50 years, Cllr John Walsh, said he hoped the deal would help players focus on football.

He said: "It must have been difficult for the players to focus, especially with unpaid wages and other issues, so hopefully they can concentrate on their jobs and help keep the club in the Championship."

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris added: “It’s great news for Wanderers, to help them get back on an even keel. It is great news for the town that they have new owners who will take it on.”

Wanderers fans who attended the hearing were hopeful following the adjournment.

Anthony Hart, aged 25, of Ealing, west London, said: "I'm happy we still have a club at the moment. I think the club will survive.

"We will definitely be relegated. It's depressing that we are in this situation. In 2005 we were sixth in the Premier League."

Ian Firth, aged 48, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said: "I think a sale will go through. We will have to see what happens after that."