Long-serving Bolton chairman Phil Gartside dies at 63

A fan of the club since he was a boy, Gartside had been on the Bolton board since 1989 and was appointed chairman in October 1999.

"Phil has been a personal friend for over 30 years. This is a very sad day," said vice-chairman Brett Warburton.

"We send our deepest condolences to all Phil's family."

Gartside oversaw Bolton's ascent to the Premier League in 2001 and qualification to the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history under manager Sam Allardyce.

During Gartside's reign at the club, Bolton signed a number of high-profile players, including Nicolas Anelka, Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Fernando Hierro.

Gartside, who was also a member of The FA board and part of the selection committee that appointed Roy Hodgson as England manager in 2012, was forced to step aside from his role at Bolton in November last year after the club confirmed that he was seriously ill.