As many of you will be aware, the BluMarble winding-up application against Sports Shield BWFC came before the court today and culminated in them being wound up.
Once again, l would like to reiterate that the application was against Dean Holdsworth’s company Sports Shield BWFC and not the club, although l accept that there could be detrimental knock-on effects for the club, but l am doing my utmost to ensure this does not happen.
Over the last couple of months, l have had a number of approaches from both UK and international prospective buyers/investors to sell my shares in the club and in order to ensure that these offers are dealt with in a professional and business-like manner and with the club’s best interests in mind, l asked Paul Aldridge to manage the various discussions.
As l have said in the past, if someone with the wherefore and financial resources to take the club forward comes along, then l am always happy to meet with them.
So far, however, the various people who have said they are in a position to do so have been unable to provide financial proof of funds and to be honest, have wasted a great deal of our time.
Furthermore, the vultures and pariahs need not apply as this club has achieved a great deal over the last 18 months and is not in the financial position it was when l first became involved.
It is a much more attractive proposition on the field as well having achieved promotion from League One at its first attempt, which in itself is a major achievement and even more so when you consider the transfer embargo.
As l have said in the past, the efforts and achievements by the management, staff and supporters in achieving this should never be forgotten.
That said, l fully appreciate that Bolton Wanderers is and always will be a big club and that will automatically mean that there will be a great deal of interest in this fantastic club.
This was only reiterated by Harry Redknapp’s recent comments regarding our manager and also our stature as a football club in England.
For someone of his experience in the game to give us such high praise is something we should be very proud of. The club has moved a long way forward from those dark days of 2015/16 when it was relegated and in dire financial straits.
That is not to say that we are out of the woods, but we can say that we do see light at the end of the tunnel and with the continued support of our staff, sponsors and supporters, anything is possible. You only have to look at Huddersfield Town to see proof of that.
The financial position of the club today is at its best since l became involved and the sustainable business plan will be completed by the end of this season, albeit that it is a long way from what l inherited and whilst some of my actions have not always been pleasant, they have been necessary to ensure the club has a sustainable future.
We are in a very good place on the field as has been evidenced with the manager and Steve Parkin signing their new contracts and strengthening the squad throughout the summer months with numerous talented players.
I would also like to acknowledge the support that our Supporters’ Trust are giving to the Academy Fund and we endeavour to work closely with them from hereon in for the benefit of this great football club.
I have every confidence in the people who run the club, hotel and associated businesses on a daily basis, however, and I can honestly say that they are all doing an excellent job in getting the club back where it belongs and on a sustainable footing for the future.
I will do my best to keep everyone abreast of the consequences of the SSBWFC winding up over the next few days, but as always l am optimistic on the outcome.
Together, we will succeed.
Ken