A note from the Chairman

In just under a fortnight's time, we will be ready for our opening Sky Bet Championship fixture against Leeds United in front of the Sky Sports cameras and a rocking Macron Stadium.

On Saturday, we had our toughest workout of the pre-season so far against a Fleetwood Town side whom we know performed very well last season in League One and fought all the way.

That said, it was disappointing that we didn't create many chances and couldn't maintain our unbeaten run.

However, there are a couple of more fixtures before the game against Leeds including the match against Stoke City at Macron Stadium on Saturday - our one and only pre-season friendly on home soil - where I know the players will be working hard to earn their place in the starting XI.

Tickets are still available and can be bought by CLICKING HERE.

Although the game at Highbury featured our senior players, the pre-season as a whole has given the younger players from our squad, including players who have progressed from our Academy, the opportunity to play alongside their more senior colleagues to garner some valuable experience.

There have been some notable performances which I am sure will give the manager a welcome boost and some food for thought when the Sky Bet Championship season gets underway.

Over the past two seasons, more playing time in the first team has been afforded to Academy graduates than at any other point over the previous 13 years. I see no reason why this cannot continue going forward.

It is important that a club like ours continues to develop young players and provide them with the chance to make a career out of the game.

Special praise must go to Jimmy Phillips and the Academy staff as a whole for their sterling work in developing young players.

Meanwhile, off the field, the hearing regarding our challenge to the Asset of Community Value (ACV) has been deferred until a later date at the request of Bolton Council.

I welcome the hearing which will give all parties an opportunity to put their cases forward.

However, as I have mentioned in previous columns, I believe that the ACV on the stadium, hotel and land is not good for the club. 

With the Leeds United game being broadcast live, as I mentioned earlier, it will be the ideal time for businesses to take advantage of our broad range of advertising and sponsorship opportunities which we have available.

Whether that is an advertisement on our big screen or on our perimeter LED boards, please give our Sales Team a call on 01204 673761 to discuss the options and associate your brand with Bolton Wanderers Football Club.

If you haven’t already experienced our award-winning, gold standard match day hospitality, then why not try it out for the Leeds United game?

If you are a season ticket holder, you can upgrade to the Lion of Vienna Suite for just £50 or you can buy a place for just £80.

Click here to buy your place now. Alternatively, please call our Sales Team on 01204 673761 if you wish to book one of our Executive Boxes or watch the game from any of our other luxurious suites.

As a reminder, there is still time for you to buy a season ticket if you haven't already done so and make big savings. Please CLICK HERE for more details.

Having big crowds last year really helped to get us over the line and your continued passionate support is very much appreciated by everyone at the club.

With the purple away shirt proving popular, the home shirts are available to pre-order so that you can wear them before they go on general sale later in the week.

The training kit is also available too, with more information is available here.

I look forward to seeing you all back home at Macron Stadium this Saturday for our friendly against Stoke.

Kind regards,

Ken

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