EDDIE Davies has assured Wanderers fans that their club “will survive” to honour the legacy of chairman Phil Gartside, who has passed away at the age of 63.

In a rare statement, the Farnworth-born, Isle of Man-based owner spoke of his sadness at the passing of his close friend, who has been an associate since the pair joined the Wanderers board in the mid-nineties.

Davies is in the process of selling the club after 13 years at the helm but following an effusive testimonial on the job Gartside did during a glorious decade in the Premier League, he pledged that he would protect Wanderers from harm.

“It’s sad news for all us, for football and for Bolton,” he said of the chairman’s death, which was announced earlier this evening.

“We’ve known what has been going on for some time and we’ve kept it quiet but it’s now come to this. We’re all very sad here.

“We started working together in 1996 and we hatched a plot of how to get into the Premier League and we were there for 11 years.

“Phil was with me all that time. We built a fantastic infrastructure around the club – it was one of the best in the Premier League, never mind the Championship where we stand now, and it’s all credit to Phil.

“We were very unlucky to get relegated and we’ve not been able to get back to that position but Phil was fundamental in everything Bolton has achieved during that time.

“He was Bolton Wanderers through and through was Phil, right from being a boy to today’s tragic day. I can’t really thank him enough for what he has done.

“He has been my right hand man there, we worked very closely together and I will be forever grateful to him.

“My view is that Bolton Wanderers will survive, we’ll make sure it does, and we’ll preserve Phil’s legacy forever more.”

Davies is currently in talks with the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust, who have asked to be named preferred bidder in the takeover.

Wanderers face a winding up order at the High Court in London on February 22 over a £3million unpaid tax and VAT bill which was adjourned from last month.