THE newly-formed Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust has launched an ambitious takeover bid to create the 'ultimate community club'.

A shortlist of 30 local businesses and individuals has been drawn up, many of whom have already pledged financial support to a trust-led offer, which is expected in the next three weeks.

It is understood that the University of Bolton is one of the institutions working to secure the future of the town’s team.

Faced with a High Court winding up petition on February 22 over a £2.2 million unpaid tax bill and crippled by costs of £1 million a month, the club has struggled to find a new owner since being put up for sale by Farnworth-born, lifelong fan Eddie Davies around 18 months ago.

The trust was set up on January 6 and now boasts a membership of more that 5,000. After initially targeting a place on the board alongside new ownership, the promise of significant financial support has prompted them to appeal to Mr Davies to give them access to financial information that can enable them to present a concrete bid.

Richard Hurst, the chairman of one of the town’s oldest businesses Richard Threllfall Group Ltd, has confirmed the huge local interest in giving Wanderers a fresh start under completely new ownership.

He said: “We have a list of approaching 30 businesses that we think could be persuaded to invest money in the new Bolton Wanderers.

“None of these individuals have got anything to do with the existing board.

“They are all lifelong fans who we hope will put a substantial amount of personal money into the future Bolton Wanderers.”

The plan is currently being driven by a steering group of 12 lifelong Bolton fans with a range of skills, from barristers and website designers to financial experts and former local councillors.

They are working towards forming an elected board, but Mr Hurst, who has confirmed he will step down before any elections, has underlined that the trust will not have any existing ties with the current club hierarchy.

Concerns had been raised that Mr Hurst had sat on a board of trustees at the Wanderers Free School alongside Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside and vice-chairman Brett Warburton.

Mr Hurst added: “None of the current board are involved in the steering group or the bid.

“As far as my involvement with Phil Gartside, we have had discussions because one of my current positions is as chairman of the Bolton Arena Trust, next door neighbours to the Macron Stadium, and we have had discussions about that.

“I would not classify myself as a personal friend. I have never been out socially with him, to his house for dinner or anything like that.

“We have had business discussions in that area – which we still hope will come off – to develop sports facilities in that area for the community.”

The trust has confirmed that its bid will require that assets such as the stadium, training ground and hotel are not sold.

But the ongoing costs will require a significant funding drive from the trust in the coming weeks, which is why the trust is now pushing Wanderers for access to their financial information.

“The club is being sold for nothing,” said Mr Hurst. “Eddie Davies has kindly agreed to write off the money that the club owes him. But the money we need to raise is to pay-off the immediate debts and carry on with the day-to-day running of the business.”