WANDERERS will appoint Andrew Gartside – son of former chairman Phil Gartside - as their new chief operating officer next month.

The Bolton News understands the new role will be created from October 2 and that he will be reporting to the current chief executive, Emma Beaugeard.

A club spokesperson told us earlier today: “We are delighted to bring Andrew on board as the chief operating officer and general counsel.

“Andrew provided enormous assistance to Football Ventures (Whites) Limited during the prolonged takeover and played a significant role in getting the deal over the line.

“His work will focus on the Bolton Whites Hotel and his expertise, particularly from a legal perspective, will be of great benefit to the business.”

Lifelong Wanderers fan, Gartside, is a trained solicitor. His father, Phil, was chairman of the club between October 1999 and December 2015, when he stepped back from active duty after falling gravely ill. He passed away in February 2016 at the age of 63.

After working for nearly six years with Manchester law firm Brabners, Andrew Gartside helped set up sports and media law firm Centrefield LLP in 2016, which boasted a "wide range of clients" including governing bodies, national associations, leagues, clubs, player associations, individuals, agents, sponsors and businesses.

In December 2004 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent treatment, including chemotherapy, for six months.

He recovered to set up CANtreat the following year, a charity which sought to improve facilities across the North West in which NHS patients receive cancer treatment.