Inner Circle Investments Acquires Sports Shield's 37.5% Stake In Bolton Wanderers

Inner Circle Investments, owned by League Championship side Bolton Wanderers Chair Ken Anderson, acquired Sports Shield's former 37.5% shareholding in the club, according to the BBC. Sports Shield BWFC Ltd. was liquidated on Aug. 21 after BluMarble Ltd. "lodged a winding-up petition in relation to non-repayment" of a £5M ($6.5M) loan. Inner Circle holds 95% of shares after agreeing to a deal with the liquidators. In a statement, Anderson said that a new arrangement had been reached with finance company BluMarble. The loan to Sports Shield was "secured against club assets" and, because of accumulated interest, was thought to be closer to £7M ($9M). Inner Circle and Sports Shield completed a joint-takeover of Bolton Wanderers in March '16. In May, Anderson said that Inner Circle had acquired approximately 30% of Sports Shield to "assist with resolving the matter with BluMarble," leaving Sports Shield with a 37.5% share in the club and Inner Circle with 57.5% (BBC, 8/30).