PHIL Gartside has stepped away from his duties as chairman of Bolton Wanderers after the club confirmed he was “seriously ill”.

The 63-year-old, who has served in the role since 1999, has been in poor health for a number of weeks.

Financial trouble-shooter Trevor Birch – the man who helped broker Roman Abramovich’s takeover at Chelsea and was also recruited by troubled clubs Portsmouth and Leeds United – has been drafted in to help bridge the gap.

He will also take a leading role in negotiations with potential new owners, which are thought to include Dean Holdsworth’s Sports Shield Consortium.

“I’m sad to report that Phil is seriously ill at the moment and Trevor will now lead the negotiations on behalf of the board and the owner,” confirmed vice-chairman Brett Warburton.

Gartside joined the board at Wanderers in 1989 and became chairman at the same time Sam Allardyce became manager a decade later.

He served as a distinguished member of the FA board part of the selection committee who appointed Roy Hodgson in 2012. He also sat on the panel at the New Wembley Stadium.

Trevor Birch will act on behalf of the club with immediate effect.

The role will see him providing assistance to the board and owner, which will include managing negotiations with the various parties who have expressed an interest in purchasing the club.

Brett Warburton said: “Trevor is a football man who has great experience in dealing with clubs in difficult financial situations. We welcome his support in assisting us through this difficult period.

“Our current owner Eddie Davies is fully supportive of the appointment and will work closely with Trevor.

“Eddie has provided an incredible level of financial support which has brought the club great success and meant huge enjoyment to all fans. We all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.

“Unfortunately, since relegation, we haven’t been able to turn things around on the pitch and re-gain promotion despite running a very high player wage bill. As the Premier League parachute funding disappears we need to find further funding to replace it.

“Eddie has indicated that he can’t provide any further funding and we have therefore been working hard to attract the appropriate investment to take this club forward.”

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