Wanderers are delighted to confirm the appointment of Andrew Tutte as player-coach of the club’s new ‘B’ team.
Tutte takes on the role as assistant to head coach Matt Craddock after two seasons with the Whites.
The midfielder, 31, will help guide the emerging talent in the ‘B’ squad by continuing to play, as well as working alongside Craddock in a coaching capacity.
The appointment of Tutte – whose playing career started at Manchester City before spells with Rochdale, Bury and Morecambe – will help maintain a strong link-up with Wanderers’ first-team squad.
And the home-grown core of the ‘B’ squad is further strengthened by the news that Adam Senior has signed a new contract to extend his stay with the Whites.
The defender, 20, has been joined in agreeing a new deal by fellow Academy graduates Luke Hutchinson and Finlay Lockett.
Goalkeeper Hutchinson (below) and striker Lockett – both 19 – have signed their second professional contracts with Wanderers.
And the trio are likely to be prominent members of the ‘B’ squad which has been introduced to forge a better potential pathway to the senior side for the Whites’ young players.
Tutte – who helped Ian Evatt’s side win promotion from League Two in 2021 before injury undermined the second year of his initial two-year stay with Wanderers – is set to have a key part to play.
“I sat down with the manager and staff after last season finished. They offered me the role and really it was a no-brainer,” said Tutte, who is now fully recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out for much of last season.
“Coaching was something I wanted to get into when I finished playing and this is the first step. Opportunities like this don’t come along very often and especially at a club like Bolton.
“The last two years I have been at the club have been two of my most enjoyable, in terms of coming into training and the environment, and the manager and staff have played a big part in that.
“I’m looking forward to learning more from them and helping some good young players here.
“The ‘B’ team is a fantastic opportunity for them, with the games and coaching they will get, and I’m going to do my best to help them progress.”
Wanderers are looking to better bridge the gap between the youth and senior set-ups with the introduction of the ‘B’ team which will play both Central League fixtures and a varied programme of friendly games against Academy and senior sides.
A number of new faces will be added, while maintaining a healthy home-grown presence of players who have progressed through the Wanderers’ Academy, including Senior.
The Bolton-born right-side defender (above) has made seven first-team appearances for the Whites – including two starts last season around loans spells with Ashton United, York City and Chorley – and is delighted to be prolonging his stay.
“Everyone knows this is my club and where I want to be,” said Senior.
“I’ve had a taste of first-team football and playing regularly at that level is everyone’s aim.
“We’ve got a fantastic squad and now having a ‘B’ team will also be a big help in terms of playing more games and having the chance to learn and develop for the future.”