Inspiring Unity Through Football

Wednesday 9th October, Bolton Wanderers in the Community welcomed young participants from our Pikes Lane Football Sessions to the Toughsheet Community Stadium last week, as part of our ongoing Premier League Fans Fund project. We would like to thank the young people for joining us for a tour of the Toughsheet Community Stadium before taking part in a focus group session.

The young people took part in a tour of the Toughsheet Community Stadium before participating in a focus group session allowed staff and young people to address inequalities and better understand the perspectives of global majority communities and the potential barriers that prevent them from fully participating in matchday events. This is just one of the many ways Bolton Wanderers in the Community strives to make football—and the joy of being a fan—accessible to all.

Our Pikes Lane Football Sessions, part of our BL One project , is a continuation of the Unity Alliance partnership between Bolton Wanderers in the Community and the Bolton Solidarity Community Association, focuses on bringing together young people from Rumworth and Great Lever’s diverse global majority communities. However, these sessions go beyond regular football provision. Striving to reduce social tensions and foster a sense of community, the sessions provide a safe and empowering space for participants to come together, build friendships, and share solutions to local challenges.

A highlight of the day was a talk by Bolton Wanderers’ CFO, Niaz Shazad, who generously shared his time to talk with the young people and discuss his own personal journey. Niaz’s story of overcoming challenges and carving out a successful future deeply resonated with the participants, encouraging them to take charge of their own futures. Participants then took part in a stadium tour in which some felt inspired by Niaz’s speech to deliver their own pre-match team talk in the BWFC changing rooms – a powerful reminder that each of them has the potential to be a leader in their own right. (Check out our social channels for a video of this special moment!)

As part of the Premier League Fans Fund cohesion project, we are committed to breaking down barriers to matchday attendance for underrepresented groups. Engaging directly with the community allows us as a charity to foster relationships to achieve a more inclusive fanbase that reflects the rich diversity of Bolton itself. Through collaboration, education, and understanding, we are aim to bring together our town, our club and our community.

For more information, please contact cnoel@bwitc.org.uk