Chairman Ken Anderson offers an update to the club's supporters ahead of Saturday's visit of Bradford
It is now just over six months since the change of ownership at the club was completed.
Looking back on those early dark days now, when the media and supporters were rightly on both the manager’s and players’ backs for the poor results and perceived lack of effort, we have since taken huge strides forward and enormous credit should go to Phil Parkinson and his staff for creating the positivity around the club and indeed our town that we are now enjoying.
At the same time off the field there was intense speculation as to the future of the club as a whole which I know concerned supporters and staff alike.
Unfortunately, as we all know, we could not retain our Championship status and we find ourselves in League One. However, I do believe the club is now moving in the right direction and I would like to thank all of our staff for their commitment and hard work during this uncertain period for the football club.
We are all continuing to work extremely hard together behind the scenes to ensure that it is a brighter future for Bolton Wanderers, both on and off the field.
Talking of staff, I am very pleased to be able to announce the appointment of Paul Holliday. Paul, a lifelong Bolton Wanderers supporter, re-joins us as Head of Marketing and Communications having held the role of Communications Manager at Lancashire County Cricket Club since 2010.
Prior to this meanwhile, he had worked here since 1996 in a number of roles. He fills a new position created to control both the communications of the club and the marketing requirement of all departments in all areas of the business.
I am hoping with Paul’s help that we can encourage many of our former season ticket holders and casual supporters to re-join the many thousands that have enjoyed the exciting start to this season.
If we are to progress as a club, we need everyone to play their part in supporting the team and I would love to see a return to the attendances we have enjoyed in the recent past at the stadium.
Together, we can make this a memorable season.
I also call upon the local businesses of Bolton who have supported us so well in the past to once again play their part in helping return the club back to where we all want to be.
As well as the appointment of Paul to the business we will be making further additions to our commercial teams, both around the football operation and delivering non-match day revenue to strengthen these vital areas of the company.
The revenue generated from all areas of the business will help support the manager and ensure that he can achieve the success we all crave.
We continue to enjoy an excellent relationship with the Supporters’ Trust meanwhile.
Like all new organisations, they will have teething problems setting up their structure. I know having spoken to the Trustees that they are frustrated at some of the delays, but are working hard to complete the process and I do hope that you will both be supportive and patient whilst they finalise these
arrangements.
As always, thank you for your superb support.
Kind regards,
Ken
These notes were taken from the Chairman's column in this weekend's matchday programme which also features an exclusive interview with Wanderers' recent loan recruit James Henry. Priced at £3 for 84 pages, copies are available around the ground in the run-up to the 3pm kick-off.