Heard a distant rumble that we've only sold 8,000. Surely its not that bad???????

Stop letting the facts get in the way!

My understanding is that the hotel does make a profit, although this includes things like the Premier suite.

 

The problems selling Burnded Park were not the fault of the board. Firstly a solicitor working on the planning app found errors with the ownership documents which occurred with the nationalisation of the Gas Board (who previously owned the land) in 1946!

 

Secondly the Govt changed its policy regarding out of town shopping complexes. These factors led to delays (whilst interest was being paid on monies borrowed) and ultimately less money being received.

 

The board used professional advisers throughout and clearly cannot be blamed for the factors mentioned.

 

Whilst I would agree that being listed on the Stock Exchange is generally not ideal for a football club - BWFC reversed into a cash shell (Mosaic) which had 10m cash. This was spent by Colin Todd and on fitting out the East stand (boxes, Lofthouse Suite etc).

 

Originally this was going to be left until more money was available but promotion meant it as worthwhile doing it straight away.

 

The debt built up cos we got less than expected for Burnden, more was spent on fitting out the stadium than originally planned (promotion meant some people got carried away), relegation and the attempts to get back up added to the debt too. Yes the hotel added to the debt but this is a business asset which does make some money.

 

NB I got this information from attending AGM's.

 

Re some comments suggesting the board lacks ambition - Other than spending money we haven't got - what do people expext them to do?

 

When has BWFC ever publically stated they have x to spend or "promised" a big signing?

 

Can anyone remember us ever signing 11 players in the close season before?

 

I think we have one of the best boards in the league - run by a fan but employing professionals where appropriate - yes mistakes will be made (Carling Cup) but 4 consec top 8 finishes is fantastic - hopefully it won't be long before we get some silverware.

 

C'mon you whites

 

Like I said, I'm looking forward to this coming season and I'm glad we haven't gone down the Leeds route & spent stupid money on over-paid t?ssers.

 

But wasn't the building contract given to Hargreaves for the hotel, and not put out to tender? Naughty naughty if so, and here was me thinking the board were whiter than white

My understanding is that the hotel does make a profit, although this includes things like the Premier suite.

 

The problems selling Burnded Park were not the fault of the board. Firstly a solicitor working on the planning app found errors with the ownership documents which occurred with the nationalisation of the Gas Board (who previously owned the land) in 1946!

 

Secondly the Govt changed its policy regarding out of town shopping complexes. These factors led to delays (whilst interest was being paid on monies borrowed) and ultimately less money being received.

 

The board used professional advisers throughout and clearly cannot be blamed for the factors mentioned.

 

Whilst I would agree that being listed on the Stock Exchange is generally not ideal for a football club - BWFC reversed into a cash shell (Mosaic) which had 10m cash. This was spent by Colin Todd and on fitting out the East stand (boxes, Lofthouse Suite etc).

 

Originally this was going to be left until more money was available but promotion meant it as worthwhile doing it straight away.

 

The debt built up cos we got less than expected for Burnden, more was spent on fitting out the stadium than originally planned (promotion meant some people got carried away), relegation and the attempts to get back up added to the debt too. Yes the hotel added to the debt but this is a business asset which does make some money.

 

NB I got this information from attending AGM's.

 

Re some comments suggesting the board lacks ambition - Other than spending money we haven't got - what do people expext them to do?

 

When has BWFC ever publically stated they have x to spend or "promised" a big signing?

 

Can anyone remember us ever signing 11 players in the close season before?

 

I think we have one of the best boards in the league - run by a fan but employing professionals where appropriate - yes mistakes will be made (Carling Cup) but 4 consec top 8 finishes is fantastic - hopefully it won't be long before we get some silverware.

 

C'mon you whites

 

Interesting to hear more on the history of the Burnden Park sale than I have heard before, and I agree with most of what you have said. Re: the hotel, according to the accounts, it has veered between a slight loss and a slight profit over the last few years, but has never made more than ?100,000 (according to the info I have, do you have more?).

 

Personally, I feel that whilst it is a useful asset, and there must be cost synergies with coporate hospitality, and it could be the biggest source of turnover if we got relegated, it is questionable if it is worth keeping (assuming we do have an option to sell it or rent it) if we can't make it significantly profit making.

 

On a slightly different tack, the hiring of ISM, the Chinese partnership, and the investment in the academy show the club has actually more ambition than most. For BWFC to grow, it is not as simple as buying ?15m players. We need to build the infrastructure, the image, the fan base, and find a way of competing with richer clubs without spending the same money, until hopefully the day will come when our budget and infrastrcuture can measure up.

Interesting to hear more on the history of the Burnden Park sale than I have heard before, and I agree with most of what you have said. Re: the hotel, according to the accounts, it has veered between a slight loss and a slight profit over the last few years, but has never made more than ?100,000 (according to the info I have, do you have more?).

 

Personally, I feel that whilst it is a useful asset, and there must be cost synergies with coporate hospitality, and it could be the biggest source of turnover if we got relegated, it is questionable if it is worth keeping (assuming we do have an option to sell it or rent it) if we can't make it significantly profit making.

 

On a slightly different tack, the hiring of ISM, the Chinese partnership, and the investment in the academy show the club has actually more ambition than most. For BWFC to grow, it is not as simple as buying ?15m players. We need to build the infrastructure, the image, the fan base, and find a way of competing with richer clubs without spending the same money, until hopefully the day will come when our budget and infrastrcuture can measure up.

 

We simply cannot compete with other clubs at the top level when it comes to merchandise. We haven't got a huge fan base. The steps the club are taking re: other activities is exactly what we should be doing. We have to grow the brand from scratch (nearly). We haven't got a great record in the modern era that will make people sit up and take notice. We've got to start somewhere.

 

The hotel is one way of getting the message across as well as generating some cash. The tie-in with Reebok is superb. ISM will help. The Chinese deal will help.

 

Until we build our own legacy on and off the pitch, we won't be able to advance.

We'll never build the fan base til the prices are reduced, we've been here before many times but yonners don't like speding money on owt but beer & drugs

We'll never build the fan base til the prices are reduced, we've been here before many times but yonners don't like speding money on owt but beer & drugs

 

 

AS, people keep saying things like this, but the fact of the matter is that our following isn't ever likely to be over the 23-25k mark. History shows this. We aren't a big club and there aren't many thousands of Bolton fans wanting to come on a matchday who aren't already.

 

However the are loads of people who claim to be fans and use any number of reasons why they don't get down to the Reebok to hide the real excuse, they can't be arsed!!

We'll never build the fan base til the prices are reduced, we've been here before many times but yonners don't like speding money on owt but beer & drugs

 

 

the club has been poorly marketed for as long as I can remember, every other club makes a big show and announces a press conference when even a mediocre player signs, last year we signed probably one of the top 10 strikers in European football and nothing no event or press conference, another marketing opportunity missed, this year we have signed about 9 players and again nothing, the pre season game against espanyol should be FREE the ground would be full with 28,000 people and a real feelgood factor could be generated this would be worth more than the pathetic 60 grand the club made from the gate receipts of a pathetic 6500, I could go on and on, the club have to work there bollox of if they want to develop and grow a fan base, it will not happen unless it is made a priority, I really hope this ISM pull the clubs marketing department out of its slumbers, because they need a fooking rocket.

the club has been poorly marketed for as long as I can remember, every other club makes a big show and announces a press conference when even a mediocre player signs, last year we signed probably one of the top 10 strikers in European football and nothing no event or press conference, another marketing opportunity missed, this year we have signed about 9 players and again nothing, the pre season game against espanyol should be FREE the ground would be full with 28,000 people and a real feelgood factor could be generated this would be worth more than the pathetic 60 grand the club made from the gate receipts of a pathetic 6500, I could go on and on, the club have to work there bollox of if they want to develop and grow a fan base, it will not happen unless it is made a priority, I really hope this ISM pull the clubs marketing department out of its slumbers, because they need a fooking rocket.

 

 

MK if you can be arsed there is a youtube clip of the Anelka press conference. At the time is went live on SSN. To be fair the club did make a fair noise about the signing of the Elk.

 

But i do agree aboutt he club being shite in regards to its marketing practises.

the club has been poorly marketed for as long as I can remember, every other club makes a big show and announces a press conference when even a mediocre player signs, last year we signed probably one of the top 10 strikers in European football and nothing no event or press conference, another marketing opportunity missed, this year we have signed about 9 players and again nothing, the pre season game against espanyol should be FREE the ground would be full with 28,000 people and a real feelgood factor could be generated this would be worth more than the pathetic 60 grand the club made from the gate receipts of a pathetic 6500, I could go on and on, the club have to work there bollox of if they want to develop and grow a fan base, it will not happen unless it is made a priority, I really hope this ISM pull the clubs marketing department out of its slumbers, because they need a fooking rocket.

 

You could have opened up the Reebok for free on Weds night for the Espanyol game and given everyone a pint and a pie and still no one would have come. I think Jimmyjoojar has it right - people look for excuses not to come to support Bolton and not for reasons why they should. BTW There was a press conference last year when Anelka signed. We have held plenty of press conferences in the past.

 

At Newcastle, fans are camped outside from dawn when they know a new player's about to sign. We'd end up with a dog and a can of baked beans (and even the dog would be a scum fan).

 

Bolton fans are few in number.

 

Mind you, nearly every Bolton fan you meet remembers being one of the few back in the old Fourth Division days. Yet our attendances were crap. Either some of the people who said they were there were lying or the club can't count and we must have had 19k+ at every game back then.

The club have to keep banging the drum loud and long espanyol should have been free, an announcement in the press should have said the club intended playing a full strength team, a full bus service should have been layed on for fans, the club should have opened the lion of vienna suite and charged a ?1 per pint every avenue should be explored to make the event a sucess, it is not easy but the club are not trying hard enough to drag people in, on the anelka press conference(which i must have missed) a public announcement should have been made to the press the day before, fans should have been invited into the stadium to witness the event and see anelka paraded in front of the press, this should be announce on local radio, announced in the BEN on all club websites, every opportunity to get positive media coverage should not be missed, it will not happen overnight but keep at it and it will happen.

the club are not trying hard enough to drag people in

 

Did the club hold an open training session this year to coincide with the school holidays? A lot of clubs do.

The club have to keep banging the drum loud and long espanyol should have been free, an announcement in the press should have said the club intended playing a full strength team, a full bus service should have been layed on for fans, the club should have opened the lion of vienna suite and charged a ?1 per pint every avenue should be explored to make the event a sucess, it is not easy but the club are not trying hard enough to drag people in, on the anelka press conference(which i must have missed) a public announcement should have been made to the press the day before, fans should have been invited into the stadium to witness the event and see anelka paraded in front of the press, this should be announce on local radio, announced in the BEN on all club websites, every opportunity to get positive media coverage should not be missed, it will not happen overnight but keep at it and it will happen.

 

FAN WON'T TURN OUT!!!!!!

 

They really wouldn't. We're not that sort of club. IMHO it's the fans who are to blame and not the club. I've never come across such half-hearted fans. Newcastle don't tell their fans to turn-out, they just do it because they care, while the vast majority of Bolton fans are apathetic. It's always been the same. Won the cup in 58 playing in front of 20-something k for league matches. Ridiculous.

 

Not to say that the club shouldn't do more but I bet most other clubs in the top flight have sold lots of tickets for their home friendlies without giving away free beer and the offer of a night with a WAG!

blackburn advertise everywhere, with all promotions under the sun, and their attendances are still shite.

 

if 'fans' dont wanna go, the club aint gonna make them no matter how hard they try.

We played Grimsby on a cold Tuesday night, for a fiver a game & we sold out (with fans in their end too). Now I know the game last week was a friendly, but with the school holidays on a freebie would have easily filled the ground.

 

And it's easier for the geordies to camp outide the ground when something is announced, they have a ground slap bang in the middle of the city centre - as opposed to an out-of-town retail park.

 

Bolton fans aren't the best in the world, but with the exception of the 'big' clubs all attendances are poor - this'll never change until prices are sorted & we have a marketing dept who aren't retarded

aye, i suppose grimsby was a success.

 

maybe the club has to be seen to be doing something extra ordinary then. not just a couple of quid here and there.

The same old tired excuses claiming that people like me are not true fans etc etc. Utter crap, there was a group of 20 of us who stood in Manny Road South, when we moved to the Reebok, 10 of us got seats in Row R West Stand Lower 199-190, the other 10 could not afford the hike in price, but went to as many matches as the could afford, to my mind still true fans. After 2 years the 10 went down to 5 due the cost, and a year later there was just me and my friend, and we have been there ever since. The fans who could not afford it still tried to get to matches, and they are still true fans.

 

Me personally, i still am a true fan, and even though you don't like the "excuses" I give..tough luck. All this has been building up over a number of years, and I decided not to renew this year. I'm not the only fan who feels this way, and the number of season ticket holders has dropped accordingly. Being a Bolton fan, I just as likely to still go to all the matches because lets face it, you have to be a bit mad to follow Bolton, but this year I decided no season ticket. I am hoping that this will renew my interest.

 

This from a lad at the depressing Aldershot game, and a home and away fan in 1987.....and Hull away (stubbs being sent off) is still the best away match...white to the left of us, white to the right of us, and the rest behind the goal (and on the pitch).

how many season tickets have we sold ??????? i think this thread has lost the plot

Newcastle don't tell their fans to turn-out, they just do it because they care

 

No they don't, they do it because they've got f**k all else to do! They need to get a life, the lot of them!

No they don't, they do it because they've got f**k all else to do! They need to get a life, the lot of them!

Now, you see, I wanted to say that. They look like window lickers of the highest order who, when they're not idolising their footballing heroes, ae eating high fat, high carb fodder. And that's just the wimmin!

If they did make Espanyol game free you would still have to get a ticket just on the off chance we might have filled the place, which we wouldn't have. But even having to put the effort in to get a free ticket would have put folk off. Sad but true.

No they don't, they do it because they've got f**k all else to do! They need to get a life, the lot of them!

 

or a job

going back to season ticket sales.... I haven't renewed, nor have the other 3 lads I travel down from Carlisle with.

 

My reasons are...

 

1. I'm moving house and gonna have a big f?ck off mortgage draining my bank account

 

2. The kick off times make it nigh on impossible for an out of towner to get public transport to the game... I am sure I'm not driving every week and not getting a beer.

 

3. When we do get a Saturday 3PM game Railtrack see fit to shut the railway every weekend from August to May.

 

I'll still go to more games than not but I'm going to pick and choose with prob more away games in there

Having purchased a season ticket I explained to my mate who is supposed to be a wanderers fan,that he could use my card and go to the matches for free when I couldn't be there.Know what he said?

 

"It's all the hassle of driving up there and parking,then driving back.I'll think about it".

The same old tired excuses claiming that people like me are not true fans etc etc. Utter crap, there was a group of 20 of us who stood in Manny Road South, when we moved to the Reebok, 10 of us got seats in Row R West Stand Lower 199-190, the other 10 could not afford the hike in price, but went to as many matches as the could afford, to my mind still true fans. After 2 years the 10 went down to 5 due the cost, and a year later there was just me and my friend, and we have been there ever since. The fans who could not afford it still tried to get to matches, and they are still true fans.

 

Me personally, i still am a true fan, and even though you don't like the "excuses" I give..tough luck. All this has been building up over a number of years, and I decided not to renew this year. I'm not the only fan who feels this way, and the number of season ticket holders has dropped accordingly. Being a Bolton fan, I just as likely to still go to all the matches because lets face it, you have to be a bit mad to follow Bolton, but this year I decided no season ticket. I am hoping that this will renew my interest.

 

This from a lad at the depressing Aldershot game, and a home and away fan in 1987.....and Hull away (stubbs being sent off) is still the best away match...white to the left of us, white to the right of us, and the rest behind the goal (and on the pitch).

 

is the cost not pretty much the same for every other football fan in the country?

If they did make Espanyol game free you would still have to get a ticket just on the off chance we might have filled the place, which we wouldn't have. But even having to put the effort in to get a free ticket would have put folk off. Sad but true.

 

I didn't go to Espanyol as it was ?12 and not ?10, this entails handing over a ?20 and not a ?10, it's psychological. Out of principle, I don't hand over the correct change when they charge silly prices.