Bolton Wanderers' Macron Stadium granted legal protection

The Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, has been granted special protection by Bolton Council and it is now approved as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The Supporters’ Trust applied in December to have the Macron Stadium and all its associated land, including the car parks to be given official recognition by the council.

An ACV, stops a public amenity being sold to an outside party without details of the deal being made available to the public.

This means that should the club land or the stadium be put up for sale, the Supporters’ Trust would have to be given notification and a six-week moratorium to indicate that they wished to bid. After this period, the rules allow the supporters trust four-and-a-half months to raise funds for the bid.

The ACV designed to prevent ‘secret sales’ but it doesn't mean that the trust have preferential treatment.

“The Macron Stadium now joins Anfield, Old Trafford, Ewood Park, The Valley, St Andrews, Bloomfield Road and Portman Road amongst other football stadia that have an ACV listing,” said a Bolton Wanderers Football Club Supporters' Trust spokesman.

“We are also aware of several other clubs that have ACV nominations currently under consideration by their local councils and hope that all these clubs receive the same support and assistance that we have received from Bolton Council."

Posted on 28th February 2017