WANDERERS chairman Sharon Brittan has saluted the work of boss Ian Evatt and the commitment of the club’s fans in a new year message to supporters.

All eyes are on Evatt at the start of the January window with the former Blackpool defender now officially the Bolton ‘manager’ after the departure of head of football operations Tobias Phoenix.

Brittan believes he is right man to turn around the fortunes of the club, saluting the backing the new-look Whites have had this season despite having to watch from afar due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"What has continued to strike a massive chord with me is the loyalty and support each and every one of you continues to show for Bolton Wanderers Football Club,” Brittan said in her programme notes for the game against Crawley.

“That you have yet to watch the players at the University of Bolton Stadium this season but continue to back the club as though you were here in person is extraordinarily special.

"Your continued loyalty in spite of the uncertainty reinforces just why I became involved with Bolton Wanderers Football Club and underlines my complete commitment in ensuring that our journey together continues.

"Fans make football clubs, but I do believe that Wanderers fans are one of a kind and you deserve the success which will come.

"The manager and his staff are doing an excellent job in rebuilding the club and in Ian we have somebody who is as committed as I am to steer the club back on the path towards glory.

"Our supporters, all our staff and the players make a great team and we can all look forward with optimism to the next 12 months.”

Brittan was also keen the highlight the club’s work in the community during the festive period, despite the Covid-19 restrictions.

"2020 will be looked back on as the most challenging year in living memory, but for all the difficult moments we have had to endure there have been heart-warming tales of resilience that provide hope,” she said.

"We have been regaled by the brilliance of communities getting together to ensure that those who were housebound and isolated by the pandemic were not left alone and forgotten about.

"Our Community Trust, led by Phil Mason and his talented team, once again worked tirelessly to support a number of local projects to ensure members of our community were engaged with.

"On Christmas Eve they and other colleagues were helping to support Urban Outreach by preparing over 2,000 Christmas Day hampers which contained all the ingredients for a full Christmas meal for those who would otherwise go without.

"A lot of Wanderers fans, including those from the Bolton Wanderers Remembrance Group, donated Christmas puddings and other items which helped to make up the hampers. The club is very grateful for your kindness and generosity.

"Our captain Antoni Sarcevic and leading goalscorer Eoin Doyle visited Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton Hospice and Derian House to donate Christmas presents, which were purchased by the players, to all the staff and patients at each place.

"In previous years, the whole squad has taken part in the visits but understandably, due to the pandemic and with the interests of everybody’s safety paramount, Antoni and Eoin went on their own and did a marvellous job in bringing some festive cheer to some amazing people.”