BOLTON WANDERERS COMMUNITY TRUST
The Charity operates: to promote community participation in healthy recreation; to provide and assist in providing facilities for sport, recreation or other leisure time occupation of such persons who have need for such facilities; and to advance the education of the public.
Latest income
£1.5m
Latest spending
£1.7m
Registered
2002
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a total deficit of £186k for the year, with unrestricted reserves falling to £15k. The trustees note that the current level of unrestricted reserves is less than one month’s unrestricted costs, which is below the stated policy target of 3-4 months. Despite this, the trustees consider there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
Largest income source: Grants (53% of income)
“Some 53% of its annual £1.5m income arose from restricted funding, most significantly from PLF.” — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Fundraising cost ratio: 6.1% of fundraised income, as disclosed
“Cost of raising funds 93,662”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £15k; policy: 3-4 months of unrestricted costs)
“The current level of unrestricted reserves is less than one month’s unrestricted costs.” — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: FVWL (Bolton Wanderers Football Club)
“The Football Club charged the charity £13,196 during the year (2024: £72,909) for match tickets, staffing recharges, refreshments and advertising. The Group charged the company £25,079 during the year (2024: £57,808) for providing staff to coach BWFC Women and for donations from shirt sales. The aged debtor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £25,079 (2024: £29,020). The aged creditor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £13,075 (2024: £739). The Charity charged the Hotel £nil for donations from sales (2024: £518). The Hotel charged the Group £5,184 (2024: £11,625) for refreshments and event costs during the year and £17,973 remained outstanding at year end.” — page 64
“Bolton College charged the Charity £300 (2024: £550) during the year for training costs. Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC charged the college £94,000 (2024: £87,000) for coaching their football teams. £23,000 (2024: £nil) remained unpaid at year end.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Bolton College
“The Football Club charged the charity £13,196 during the year (2024: £72,909) for match tickets, staffing recharges, refreshments and advertising. The Group charged the company £25,079 during the year (2024: £57,808) for providing staff to coach BWFC Women and for donations from shirt sales. The aged debtor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £25,079 (2024: £29,020). The aged creditor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £13,075 (2024: £739). The Charity charged the Hotel £nil for donations from sales (2024: £518). The Hotel charged the Group £5,184 (2024: £11,625) for refreshments and event costs during the year and £17,973 remained outstanding at year end.” — page 64
“Bolton College charged the Charity £300 (2024: £550) during the year for training costs. Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC charged the college £94,000 (2024: £87,000) for coaching their football teams. £23,000 (2024: £nil) remained unpaid at year end.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC
“The Football Club charged the charity £13,196 during the year (2024: £72,909) for match tickets, staffing recharges, refreshments and advertising. The Group charged the company £25,079 during the year (2024: £57,808) for providing staff to coach BWFC Women and for donations from shirt sales. The aged debtor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £25,079 (2024: £29,020). The aged creditor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £13,075 (2024: £739). The Charity charged the Hotel £nil for donations from sales (2024: £518). The Hotel charged the Group £5,184 (2024: £11,625) for refreshments and event costs during the year and £17,973 remained outstanding at year end.” — page 64
“Bolton College charged the Charity £300 (2024: £550) during the year for training costs. Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC charged the college £94,000 (2024: £87,000) for coaching their football teams. £23,000 (2024: £nil) remained unpaid at year end.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Bolton Together
“The Football Club charged the charity £13,196 during the year (2024: £72,909) for match tickets, staffing recharges, refreshments and advertising. The Group charged the company £25,079 during the year (2024: £57,808) for providing staff to coach BWFC Women and for donations from shirt sales. The aged debtor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £25,079 (2024: £29,020). The aged creditor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £13,075 (2024: £739). The Charity charged the Hotel £nil for donations from sales (2024: £518). The Hotel charged the Group £5,184 (2024: £11,625) for refreshments and event costs during the year and £17,973 remained outstanding at year end.” — page 64
“Bolton College charged the Charity £300 (2024: £550) during the year for training costs. Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC charged the college £94,000 (2024: £87,000) for coaching their football teams. £23,000 (2024: £nil) remained unpaid at year end.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Key Management Personnel
“The Football Club charged the charity £13,196 during the year (2024: £72,909) for match tickets, staffing recharges, refreshments and advertising. The Group charged the company £25,079 during the year (2024: £57,808) for providing staff to coach BWFC Women and for donations from shirt sales. The aged debtor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £25,079 (2024: £29,020). The aged creditor balance at 30 June 2025 stood at £13,075 (2024: £739). The Charity charged the Hotel £nil for donations from sales (2024: £518). The Hotel charged the Group £5,184 (2024: £11,625) for refreshments and event costs during the year and £17,973 remained outstanding at year end.” — page 64
“Bolton College charged the Charity £300 (2024: £550) during the year for training costs. Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC charged the college £94,000 (2024: £87,000) for coaching their football teams. £23,000 (2024: £nil) remained unpaid at year end.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC
“The Charity has one trading subsidiary named Wanderers Sport in the Community CiC which is registered as Community Interest Company and a company limited by guarantee.” — page 46
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Public-sector contracts awarded
| Buyer | Contract | Awarded | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton Council | TC143 - All Age Prevention Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) | — | — |
| Bolton Council | TC143 - All Age Prevention Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) | — | — |
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2025)
Total income
£1.5m
Total spending
£1.7m
Cost of raising funds
£94k
Reserves (reported)
£10k
Employees
59
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (27/01/2021)
Trustees
- DAVE SINGLETONchair
- Alan Walsh
- Bashir Jama Aideed
- John McGinlay
- Jonathan Lord
- Marie Bisset
- NORMA RUTHERFORD
- Paul William Graham Holliday
- Susan Mary Johnson
- William Dawson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £1.5m | £1.7m |
| 30/06/2024 | £1.4m | £1.5m |
| 30/06/2023 | £1.4m | £1.3m |
| 30/06/2022 | £1.3m | £1.3m |
| 30/06/2021 | £1.0m | £866k |
Common questions
Is BOLTON WANDERERS COMMUNITY TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a total deficit of £186k for the year, with unrestricted reserves falling to £15k. The trustees note that the current level of unrestricted reserves is less than one month’s unrestricted costs, which is below the stated policy target of 3-4 months. Despite this, the trustees consider there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by AAB Audit and Accountancy Limited.
Who funds BOLTON WANDERERS COMMUNITY TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BOLTON WANDERERS COMMUNITY TRUST as a grant recipient include THE JD FOUNDATION, BOLTON TOGETHER, BOLTON COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES, CRH CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/12/2025 | £62k | Bolton: Safe Spaces Strong Futures |
| Sport England | 15/07/2024 | £8k | Game On |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/04/2024 | £20k | Sutton Community Hub |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 08/12/2023 | £270k | BL One |
| UK government | 01/04/2018 | £20k | ALB - Armed forces Covenant Fund Trust- Covenent Fund |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 08/07/2015 | £8k | Wanderers Fitter Fans Club |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 03/11/2014 | £143k | Positive Chances for Looked After Children |
| Sport England | 21/05/2014 | £73k | Inspire Bolton |
| Sport England | 10/03/2014 | £8k | Get Equipped- Multi Sport in Bolton |
| Sport England | 13/09/2012 | £2k | Handball Participation Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/01/2012 | £9k | Bolton Wanderers Enterprise Academy |
| Sport England | 11/08/2011 | £7k | Premier League 4 Sport |
| Sport England | 07/06/2011 | £10k | The table tennis primary school project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/10/2010 | £114k | Positive Chances |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/07/2010 | £9k | The Kickz Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 23/11/2006 | £9k | Girls Kick! |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 04/01/2006 | £130k | Acquiring football qualifications and enhancing football activity and skill |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ROGER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.1m |
| THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION | 1 | £550k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £30k |
| THE GREATER MANCHESTER HIGH SHERIFF'S POLICE TRUST | 1 | £4k |
| THE TORY FAMILY FOUNDATION | 1 | £1k |
| THE NORTH WALES POLICE AND COMMUNITY TRUST | 1 | £150 |
Charities like this
- MILTON KEYNES DONS FOOTBALL CLUB SPORTS & EDUCATION TRUST
- The Sports Trust
- READING FC COMMUNITY TRUST
- HARTLEPOOL UNITED COMMUNITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
- WIGAN ATHLETIC FC COMMUNITY TRUST
- CLUB DONCASTER COMMUNITY SPORTS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLTON WANDERERS COMMUNITY TRUST | £1.5m | — | 0 | below | 6.1% | no doubt |
| MILTON KEYNES DONS FOOTBALL CLUB SPORTS & EDUCATION TRUST | £3.9m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| The Sports Trust | £1.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |
| READING FC COMMUNITY TRUST | £2.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| HARTLEPOOL UNITED COMMUNITY SPORTS FOUNDATION | £199k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WIGAN ATHLETIC FC COMMUNITY TRUST | £1.8m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |