Bolton Wanderers have announced that long-standing club chairman Phil Gartside has died at the age of 63.
The Trotters said on their official Twitter account this afternoon that they were "deeply saddened" to learn of their chairman's passing after a "short and brave battle with cancer".
Vice-chairman Brett Warburton added: "Phil has been a personal friend for over 30 years. This is a very sad day for everybody."
Gartside stepped down from his role as chairman three months ago after falling seriously ill.
He first joined Bolton's board in 1988 and would go on to serve as club chairman for 16 years from 1999, overseeing promotion to the Premier League and four consecutive top-eight finishes in the top flight, as well as two UEFA Cup campaigns.
Gartside was also a member of the FA board and part of the selection committee that appointed Roy Hodgson as England manager in 2012.
