Wanderers one of nine clubs to achieve recognition for their involvement in Football League's Code of Practice plan
Bolton Wanderers are one of nine Football League clubs across the country to have successfully completed the first year of a ground-breaking pilot that sets standards for equality in professional football.
The Football League’s Code of Practice was introduced as part of a commitment to English football’s Inclusion & Anti-Discrimination Action Plan which ensures clubs are inclusive across all sections of their business.
This incorporates match day operations, general operations, community trust, youth development, fans and the first team.
At the end of year one, nine clubs in The Football League, including Wanderers, have been assessed as meeting the Code of Practice foundation level, setting the benchmark for others to follow.
Alongside Bolton, the other teams are Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United, Peterborough United, Southend United, Crewe Alexandra, Exeter City and Portsmouth.
Each club successfully passed an independent assessment across 12 areas of operation ensuring good practice extends to all employees, spectators and other people engaged with the club.
The Code of Practice embeds inclusion and equality throughout the whole club, setting accountability at the highest level.
In phase two, the nine clubs that have reached the Code of Practice foundation level will become mentors to a further 30 Football League clubs that will be assessed in 2016.
Speaking following confirmation of the news, Inclusion Lead for the club Phil Mason said, “We are delighted to be amongst the first in the country to achieve this standard.
“The team have worked very hard throughout the business to ensure that we are an inclusive organisation and take any forms of discrimination very seriously.
“The important element to attaining this standard is about living the values in our everyday work. We look forward to working with other clubs and offering models of good practice across the league in the years to come.”