Bolton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers in the Community are proud to support the 2026 Play Safe campaign, helping to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding throughout football.
Play Safe is a national FA-led campaign, endorsed by the NSPCC, which aims to promote safeguarding and ensure football remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
The campaign is supported throughout the English game, from the professional leagues through to the grassroots game, providing an opportunity for the football community to come together and highlight the importance of safeguarding.
At Bolton Wanderers, the welfare of everyone who engages with the Football Club remains a priority.
From matchdays at the Toughsheet Community Stadium to the work delivered by Bolton Wanderers in the Community, alongside the Club's Academy and wider football operations, safeguarding is an important part of everyday life at Wanderers.
The Club is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and able to have their voice heard.
Head of Safeguarding, Joe Shaw, commented:
"As Head of Safeguarding at Bolton Wanderers, I am proud to support this Play Safe fixture against Cardiff City. Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do: protecting children, young people and adults at risk, while ensuring everyone can enjoy football in a safe, respectful environment.
"On behalf of the Club and Hotel, I would like to thank our staff, volunteers and supporters for the part they play in creating that environment.
"We have introduced new reporting methods to make it easier and more accessible for everyone attending Bolton Wanderers fixtures to raise a concern. These can be found on the Club website and will also be displayed on the LED screens around the stadium."
As part of Wanderers' ongoing commitment to safeguarding, one of the club's Academy teams helped to create the club's new Safeguarding Policy on how we want Bolton Wanderers to feel. This policy includes:
- Keep us safe. Allow us to be looked at as a person and look after each other
- We want everyone to be enthusiastic and to be happy and safe
- Be welcome, play as a team, because everyone has a responsibility
- Be happy, safe and in a friendly environment
- Be bothered and think everyone has a voice and gives 100% effort
If you experience or witness anything of concern in regard to safeguarding, please report this through our One Wanderers number on 07476 561 534 or email BWFC@PATRONUS-REPORTING.COM and our dedicated team will respond accordingly.
This number is displayed across our club website, as well as around the Toughsheet Community Stadium – including our LEDs on matchdays – for fans to use appropriately should they need to.
For full details on the Play Safe campaign, please visit the FA's website by clicking here.