Bolton Wanderers announce B team boss as three coaching appointments confirmed

Bolton Wanderers have announced Matt Craddock as the club's new B team head coach with Dave Gardiner being in charge of the academy and Julian Darby handed a new coaching position.

Wanderers will be operating a B team from next season onwards after the decision was made to develop the pathway to the senior set-up. There was a choice made between this and an under-23s side, with the former being chosen.

The club's reserves team competed in the EFL's Central League and been run by first-team coach Sam Hird in the course of the 2021/22 campaign. It gave younger players a competitive division to play in and allow first-team players some minutes as they make returns from injury.

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Trial fixtures have taken place - including one before the end of the season - to assess players who will fill the ranks of the new B team. It has included those released from top Premier League academies.

Wanderers have now issued an update on the B team and the club's academy. Craddock has been appointed the club's B team head coach, with Gardiner as the new head of academy and Darby becoming the under-18s boss, stepping up from his role with the under-16s.

Craddock, 37, was previously head of coaching at Preston North End and with experience of working for the FA, will head up a specific squad which will compete in the Central League and also play frequent other fixtures against a variety of opposition.

“I’m really thankful to the people who have put their trust in me because it’s a real opportunity for me,” said Craddock.

“It’s something I think I’m ready for and what has struck me over the last few days from the conversations I’ve had is that there