Chairman Ken Anderson addresses the club's supporters in a special column
I trust you have all had an enjoyable Christmas period and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
I’d also like to thank all of the staff here at the club and hotel, both football and administrative, for their constant hard work which has been instrumental in helping us get to where we are right now.
They were able to wind down for an evening with a Christmas party just prior to the big day itself - the first at the club in three years - and the feel good factor around the stadium is palpable.
It was superb to see such a fantastic crowd for our Boxing Day encounter against Shrewsbury Town, with many of the 16,238 supporters at Macron Stadium being half season ticket holders.
We have surpassed our expectations in regards to the number of them sold and I am thrilled that the newcomers were able to start their tenure as season ticket holders with victory.
Our hospitality suites were also sold out for the fixture which is hugely pleasing and is a testament to the hard work of those behind-the-scenes here at Macron Stadium.
With the incredible vocal support you have provided so far this term meanwhile, we effectively have a twelfth man on the field.
With that in mind, I urge you all to be as loud and proud in your support both at Macron Stadium and away from home between now and the end of the season.
Now we are at the halfway stage of the campaign, we are extremely pleased that we are firmly where we aimed to be at this point in regards to our league standing.
There will no doubt be a number of twists and turns along the way between now and the end of the campaign, but we are in a strong position and long may that continue.
I hope that our excellent form at home meanwhile will encourage more people to come and show their support for the team – ultimately something which may just be the difference in getting us over the line.
We are also fortunate enough to have several of our players coming back from long term injuries at the moment too which will further strengthen our squad. This may mean that we can take our time in regards to decisions about our activity in the January transfer window.
That said however, our team of scouts have been actively out there since August looking for potential signings for cover should we pick up any serious injuries or if an opportunity arises to sign a quality player which could be influential for the squad.
Aside from matters on the pitch, there has been a great deal of press recently about a supposed boardroom feud but I can assure you that there can be nothing further from the truth.
Dean and I have so far not been able to reach an agreement on the sale of his shares or his Blu Marble refinancing, but this does not mean that there is an ongoing feud between us.
We talk, text and email each other on a regular basis and contrary to rumour, I am not particular about being the sole owner of this great football club. I would be happy to share the future funding requirement with Dean pro rata to our shareholdings.
There is no need to rush any decision on ownership and as far as I am concerned, it is business as usual.
Following on from the previous press comments about Saudi interest meanwhile, over the last week there has been speculation about an apparent American takeover.
All I can say on this matter is that we receive approaches all the time, from various sources, which is not surprising when you look at the environment and set up we have here at Macron Stadium and Bolton Whites Hotel.
Once again, I can assure you that I have not met nor spoken to anyone. As I have said in the past, if someone comes along who can help take the club further, then I will be happy to talk to them. At this current moment however, that has not happened.
Elsewhere, I have arranged future meetings with a number of organisations such as the Supporters’ Trust, the BWSA and a handful of fan blogs.
My aim is to build relationships with them so as to work together going forward for the benefit of the club although I appreciate that they will want to retain their independence also.
We are also continuing to make big strides commercially and I am sure you have read about some of the businesses we have gone into partnership with.
I'm pleased to announce that we have signed a valuable deal with Molson Coors to be our official pouring rights partner, while more details on this will be announced in due course.
Following on from my comments regarding the situation with Macron at the recent Q&A session meanwhile, an agreement has now been reached with them.
I hope to see you all back at Macron Stadium for Saturday’s visit of Scunthorpe United.
Kind regards
Ken