As we return to home soil against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, the game also marks the last opportunity for fans to purchase a half season ticket for the remainder of the 2017/18 campaign.
By doing so, you can show your support for the team during the last ten games of the season for just £17 a game, with the option available to spread the cost with our Direct Debit scheme.
This is the most cost-effective way of watching Wanderers at Macron Stadium and we need your support as always.
For more information, please call 0844 871 2932, click online at www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc or visit Bolton Central in person.
Saturday will also see a number of promotions on offer in our retail outlet including 20% off home and away shorts and socks, while our captain Darren Pratley will also be in attendance to meet you all and signed autographs from 2pm onwards.
Moving our focus back to football matters meanwhile, one of the strange quirks of being the chairman of a football club is that the phone never stops ringing during a transfer window.
Generally speaking, the calls mainly come from the media trying to get inside information about potential transfers.
The other calls are often from players’ agents offering you players who are “perfect for the club“, or even worse, are trying to persuade you to pay an existing player a compromise payment to leave, as he’s not happy at not being involved or getting a game .
Over the last week or so, l have had to tell several agents that l can fully understand that their clients are disappointed that they are not playing, but as the manager has made absolutely clear to the players, there is still an opportunity for them to be involved if they continue to train and work as they have up to now.
They just have to bide their time, as their chance will arrive, but at the same time, their player is welcome to look elsewhere for football, if that is what he really wants.
Under no circumstances however am l prepared to pay up their contract in full until the end of July, only to subsequently see them sign for another club shortly after and then effectively get paid another salary again, albeit perhaps on a reduced salary to that what we are paying.
My logic is that if we are going to have to pay their salary until the end of July, we might as well have the benefit of them being available to play for us if called upon, even if it is only in the event of an injury or suspension crisis.
Unfortunately, this practice has become a regular occurrence in football over recent years, but as far as l am concerned, we will do our best not to be paying up our senior players’ salaries, whilst they then go and sign a new contract elsewhere, even if that means they are not involved with our squad on matchdays and sit in the stands.
Hopefully these players will realise that their playing career is a short one and see the light of day and work even harder to be involved or move on, so that they actually get to play football, albeit elsewhere.
That said, l must make it absolutely clear that generally speaking, the players who have not been involved recently have reacted perfectly and in a very professional manner and have not let their disappointment affect their efforts and performance in training and their spirits have remained high and focused along with the rest of the playing squad.
We have also had a number of calls from other club managers enquiring after the loan availability of several of our players and this is my preferred option of reducing our squad numbers, as at least we get a contribution to our costs.
Obviously, this is not the same with our young players, as we can see the advantages of them getting game time elsewhere on loan to help their future development and that’s why we welcome and encourage them to go out on loan and gain playing experience.
The recruitment team continue to research potential signings before the window closes and a number of discussions have and continue to take place with various clubs, agents and players and we are hopeful of bringing in several players to strengthen and refresh the squad.
Finally, I would like to remind you all about our season ticket holder offer for the Bristol City match where all BWFC season ticket holders will be able to purchase up to four additional tickets for just £10 each for this game.
More information about this offer can be found by visiting www.bwfc.co.uk or heading into Bolton Central in person where our staff members will happily assist you.
As usual however, let’s be loud, let’s be proud and let’s get behind the team.
Kind regards,
Ken