Bolton Wanderers have 'reconnected' with town after promotion, says Ian Evatt
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Ian Evatt lost his first five games in charge of Bolton, but has guided them back to League One
Bolton Wanderers have "rebuilt trust" and "reconnected" with the community after winning promotion from League Two, says manager Ian Evatt.
Bolton secured an instant return to League One after one season in the fourth tier with a 4-1 win at Crawley Town on Saturday.
The club were 17th in February, but have won 16 of their past 22 matches.
"It's been a big ship to turn around. We've made everybody happy, but this is just the start for us," said Evatt.
"We've slowly but surely rebuilt trust in the town. We've reconnected the club with the community and the town again.
"We have a vision and this is just the start of what is going to be a very good journey."
Wanderers have endured a tough few seasons, including financial uncertainty and near liquidation off the pitch and successive relegations on it.
But former Barrow boss Evatt, who arrived last summer to replace Keith Hill, has overseen a remarkable turnaround - and says the achievement ranks as "number one" in his own career.
"Nobody really knows what I've had to go through this season, only really the people closest to me," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"The way they've applied themselves this week in training, I knew that was coming. They were so determined and from the first second today they were completely on their game.
"The lads deserve it. They've been absolutely incredible."
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