Muamba can stay at Bolton for ‘as long as he wants’

LONDON – Bolton chairman Phil Gartside says the club will find a role for Fabrice Muamba even if his playing days are over.

Monday, March 26, 2012
Fabrice Muamba.

LONDON – Bolton chairman Phil Gartside says the club will find a role for Fabrice Muamba even if his playing days are over.The 23-year-old, who is recovering in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Tottenham, was honoured ahead of the Trotters’ Premier League clash with Blackburn."He will be here as long as he wants to be,” Gartside told BBC Radio Five Live."It is all about Fabrice. It is not a football story, it is a Muamba story.”Zaire-born midfielder Muamba has made 148 appearances for Wanderers since joining from Birmingham for £5m in June 2008.Players from both teams in the Lancashire derby wore shirts with "Muamba 6” on their backs during the warm-ups.Gartside, 70, also admitted he had been surprised by the "outpouring of emotion” caused by Muamba’s plight."It has been a hard week but I haven’t had a terrible week. I have had an amazing week. I feel privileged to have been in the middle of it,” he added.