Bolton Wanderers have signed a pair of partners – one from its hometown and another from the US West Coast.
Firstcom Europe is a leading provider of B2B technology – such as phone systems, IT managed services, AI solutions, IoT, and more – and is Bolton-born and Bolton-based.
It has renewed as a Business Partner Elite for two further seasons, covering 2026/27 and 2027/28, as The Trotters seek to establish themselves back in the Championship.
Also a longstanding supporter of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, the business also backs Bolton Hospice and Bolton Lads and Girls Club, investing in the town alongside the club.
As an Elite partner, Firstcom Europe receives premium visibility across matchday and digital channels at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and on club platforms.
Carl Sanderson, head of commercial at Bolton Wanderers, said: “Firstcom Europe are a Bolton company with national reach, and they have supported this club and this town consistently, through the good times and the harder ones.
“Their work with Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Bolton Hospice and Bolton Lads and Girls Club shows where their priorities sit. Christian [Bleakley] and his team are the sort of partner every club wants.”
Meanwhile Arkero, based in Seattle, has landed Wanderers as a client.
Arkero leverages AI to help professional sports teams streamline business operations. Its sports clients include Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC, NWSL’s Seattle Reign FC, MLS expansion team San Diego FC… and fifth-tier English side Southend United.
It was founded by Shivaas Gulati, the co-founder of digital remittance giant Remitly, who serves as part of the ownership group at Southend.
“AI transformation does not begin with a chatbot. It begins with a club’s data, systems, knowledge and workflows,” said CEO Gulati. “The future football workplace will bring experienced people and AI systems together. Bolton has approached this work with real ambition.”