Chris Forino Named BWitC’s PFA Community Champion 24/25

Bolton Wanderers in the Community are pleased to announce that our Charity Ambassador Chris Forino has been named PFA Community Champion for the 24/25 Season. The award recognises the commitment to our charity and local community over the course of the season.

We celebrated the accolade with a visit to the BWFC training ground alongside representatives from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Stephen Raynor and Dean Furman.

The 24-year-old defender joined BWFC at the start of the 2024 season on a three-year deal. Chris put himself forward to become a Charity Ambassador for the 24/25 season to support and amplify the work we do across Bolton.

Speaking on why he got involved with BWitC this season, Forino said “I think moving so far away from home, I’ve thought so much about myself, it gave me time to reflect and look back on how I’ve ended up living five hours away from home doing a job that I love and I think giving back was a big part on that.”

“I think it’s important to involve the community. This is a really well supported club, it’s backed massively and I feel like as a fan, being a fan myself, you want to feel connected to your club and it gives a chance to do that.”

“It’s important for the next generation as well as current supporters to feel that connection with the players and the club.”

Chris has been involved in supporting a number of our community projects over the season including a visit to Bolton Hospice at Christmas, a school visit to celebrate our Premier League Community Captain Rob Messina as well as helping to promote our events and fundraising initiatives such as Pound to the Ground and the BWFC Stadium Sleepout which helped raise vital funds to support our charity.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is the union for all current and former footballers and scholars in the Premier League, the FA Women’s Super League and the English Football Leagues. Providing the information, advice and support players need to help maximise the opportunities that come with playing professional football.

Chris joins a long line of Community Champions who work alongside our charity to use the power of BWFC to inspire, support and deliver positive change in our community.