Macron Stadium, home of English League One third-tier football club Bolton Wanderers, has been granted special protection by Bolton Council as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV).
The decision comes after the Bolton Wanderers Football Club Supporters’ Trust in December applied to have the venue and its associated land given official recognition by local government.
According to the Bolton News, the protection means that should club land or the Macron Stadium come up for sale, the Supporters’ Trust would have to be notified and given a six-week period to indicate whether it would want to place a bid to take ownership.
Last year, the club sold assets including car park land, offices and its training ground in an effort to raise funds and avoid entering administration.
A spokesman for the Supporters’ Trust said: “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.
“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.
“ACV status also ties in with the general belief that football clubs are of vital importance to their local communities and can be better protected when their supporters play an active role in the running of those football clubs.”
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