Gartside admits sale possibility

Bolton open to foreign investment

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd October 2008

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Gartside: Realistic chairman

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Phil Gartside has admitted that Bolton cannot afford to rule out the idea of foreign ownership.

The Trotters chairman has been heavily critical of outside investment in the past, but accepts that he would be powerless to prevent a takeover going through if the right offer came along.

He insists any interested party would need to assure him that they had the right credentials, and right resources, for the job, but has softened his approach to foreign infiltration of the English game.

With eight of the 20 clubs currently gracing the Premier League already having fallen into the hands of global investors, Bolton may be next to follow the trend.

Major shareholder at The Reebok Stadium, Eddie Davies is not actively pursuing a sale, but Gartside admits they cannot be ignorant of any opportunities which may come their way.

"There is a point in business - whether it is football or otherwise - where you have to say 'yes, I'll do that deal'," he told The Bolton News.