Bolton Fans Since The Premiership

[tyldesley_white]

Dont do it

 

Fcuk me this thread is really getting to me

 

Me too, I just feel very sad ...

[Guest pansyroadwhite]

i feel like i should do summat a crusade along the lines of "give Football back to the people who do it for the love of it not the money"

but i just know i would probably be ignored (plus its a bloody silly title)

[Casino]

It is all about expectations.

 

Been supporting for 35 years and enjoyed it all immensely. But I have lost the spark for the last few seasons, and think it comes down to the way football has gone - its too predictable.

 

What is there to excite you at the start of a season.Certainly not winning the league, so therefore a cup. Knocked out at the first attempt in both competitions doesn't help the cause. Perversely, I enjoyed the second half of last season more than he previous 2 or 3 seasons. The games meant something as there was a lot resting on them - avoiding relegation.

 

This season I think we are too good to go down as there are some awful teams in the league, but it is so DULL. The tactics are just too negative (8 goals at home sums it up for me) and am wrestling with keeping the faith and turning up (Leeds based so a home game is a good half day of an effort including travel there and back) and giving up.

 

However, I know this is impossible as supporting the Whites is so built into your whole life that I would regret it as soon as i stopped.

 

Sorry to continue the views of others (and maybe on the wrong thread) but for me the negative style on the pitch has to go and that I think will only be through the demise of Mr Megson. Not a feeling I would vent whilst supporting my team (last night was totally unacceptable) but anything to bring back some excitement!!!

 

Keeping the faith but finding it increasingly more difficult.

 

just in case you dont know ani, and he doesn't know you, pm him

 

it must be worth meeting the yorkshire twat

 

though if you travel with him, itll feel more like a lifetime than a half day

[waffer cup 07]

Truth is we've been spoilt. Under BFS we overacheived for years, now he's gone and were not hitting the heights some 'supporters' can't handle it. The season's not a disaster, 3 out of next 4 games at home win 2 of them and things will look a lot healthier.

[Superwhite]

First game at The Reebok. Can't remember who, headed wide.

JCL behind me says "Shearer would have got that!"

I thought I was quite restrained when I turned round said "Yes but he doesn't fcking play for us, twat"

Summed it up for me really. First time we were in The Premiership was diiferent but the rot set in when we went up the second time.

[Guest westmidswhite]

I've known the likes of Casino (and the Anthill Mob), MG etc since as far back as I can care to remember and it's a sad day when the bubble bursts.

 

This will probably be my last season watching them. I might not even carry on till the end of this one.

I'll give it till Easter, I think.

 

I have lived in the midlands for over 20 years but deep down as passionate as ever for the club I have loved since a boy aged 5 growing up in Daubhill.

 

Although I work a lot in London and find midweek games hard to get to I dont even get the urge to travel up the M5 and M6 anymore even when we are playing our rivals or the top 4.

 

I think the rot started with negative tactics first brought in by BSA but to be honest a boring 1-0 win for me is always better than a 3-2 defeat. The players wages have been a factor and to be paid extortionate amounts of money for kicking a ball around has become ridiculous.

 

The Euopean trips were brilliant and I hoped for more of these amazing trips.

 

I know where some on here are coming from when the support the club for getting us to these dissy heights in the first place but since January 2006 we have been in decline and the appointment of Mr Megson made us all the laughing stock of the english game. IMOA he is not worthy of managing Daubhill Athletic never mind a premiership club and if it is not this season we go down we are on the decline.

 

The negativity is not what anyone wants - no good saying we did well losing by the only goal to Arsenal and the scum when we bored the pants out of our supporters and still lost.

 

I will still attend when I can and intend to do a few more games this season but the reason our fans are demonstrating is they are sick of this dire football and the decline

[Sluffy]

In my opinion there are two pieces to this jig saw puzzle -

 

The first bit -

 

There is a saying that goes like this - 'To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive'.

 

For much of my life (I'm in my fifties) the thought of Bolton being an established club in the top division was frankly unimaginable. The football experience to me was meeting up with your mates, having a laugh and enjoying the game ? win, lose or draw. Yes I was down if we got beat BUT I never really expected us to do otherwise in many a season.

 

Playing teams from the top divisions in cup matches and beating them was the sort of stuff I used to dream about.

 

I was there when we won promotion back to the first division at Blackburn all those years ago. I was there to at the Wimbledon game when we played our first ever Premiership game. At both of these games it never crossed my mind other than to think enjoy it now because it will not last.

 

Well along came Sam and things did change - we did get into the Premiership and stayed - we do play the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal away every year (not once in a lifetime FA Cup run.

 

Thing is though once the novelty wore off - what else is there to do?

 

We are at the destination.

 

The second bit -

 

Much, too much money involved.

 

When Frankie was the first division leading scorer when we got relegated I thought at the time how fantastic the experience of being up with the big boys had been and hoped we would soon be back up there again. It was no disgrace that we had got relegated and certainly not a financial disaster for the club. Indeed it was even suggested at the time that we had made more money (through bigger crowds) in the two near miss and the promotion season itself - than the following two seasons in the top division, when the crowds fell off because we were getting hammered every week.

 

Now staying in the Premiership is everything. The money is such that games are thrown (cup games, European games, big four games) in order to concentrate on games that we might stand a chance of winning.

 

The rewards are so great in stopping in the Premiership that it as turned into something of a 'catch 22'.

 

- We have to spend millions to stay in it - to earn the millions.

- The club goes into debt in order to spend the millions

- because we are in debt it is even more crucial that we stay in the Premiership

- so we spend more millions to stay in it

- which means we go even deeper into debt

- which means it is even more important to stay in the Premiership

- which means we spend even more millions, etc, etc, etc.

 

All this really means football as we know it as been sacrificed - no chances are taken in case we get relegated - which means no cup runs - no all out attacking players, no entertainment - boring, boring negative football.

 

We have arrived.

 

What was once the Promised Land in my dreams as turned out to be a toxic reality.

 

Oh God I wish I was still travelling with hope and expectations - instead I've arrived at my destination and it's shit.

 

It's not Megson's fault.

 

It's not Bolton's fault.

 

It's just that when I bought a ticket to go along for the ride with Bolton I never knew where the destination would be or what it would be like.

 

I'm Bolton through and through. I'm not giving up on them now. Maybe something will change that means relegation is no longer the financial be all and end all. It has to change hasn't it?

 

I can't speak for the Megson hater's but I do know that he is doing the best for the club. He's playing to the business rules of Premiership survival - as ugly and vile as that may be.

 

The trouble is, is that the Megson haters can't see that. If Megson goes then the next manager in will only do the same - keep Bolton up at all costs.

 

They are in fact only shooting the messenger - but they can't see that.

[Leedswhite]

Sums it up perfectly for me and more elequently than I did.

 

With the detail you put in the post, seems that your experiences are similar to mine - having been going since the mid 70s and remembering the 2 years in the top division at the turn of the 80s.

 

Relegation didn't mean the same then as it does now (financially) and until this issue is addressed then I agree that for 15 clubs the aim is to stay up at all costs and the game becomes more and more dull as a consequence.

 

Fear of relegation has taken over. I do dream though of supporting a team who trys to play football - you know the idea - ball on the ground, pass and move, and hey even leave one player up the pitch at corners!!!

 

It is theoretically possible to remove the FEAR by levelling the playing field (more even distribution of TV money across the teams etc) but won't happen as the big boys just want to get bigger.

 

Do wonder if casting off the big four to a european League would make it more exciting for the rest but then for anybody who won anything it would always feel hollow.

[chief wiggum]

it has been as bad in the past bolton fans have always got on players backs.

 

a big differnce these days is that because on tinternet people get on about it all day

 

 

i will be there next season come what may and whoevewr is in charge, chief wiggum would be lonely without me.

 

Well, I will be there.

 

I didn't go last night, I had a ticket but got held up at work and couldn't make it in time.

 

Ani, I take your point about tinternet and getting on players backs (Roy Greaves, Neil Whatmore, what we wouldn't give for those two back!) but I think it has now gone deeper than that, as others have said on this thread. The Premier League was invented to make the rich clubs richer, pure and simple. Every season there is a relegation battle between about 12 teams, because getting relegated, which used to be a bit of an inconvenience, now results in financial meltdown (see Leeds, Charlton, Forest, Leicester etc). That being the case, staying up at all costs is the only motivation for most clubs. Megsons negativity (while awful to watch) is a perfectly logical response bearing in mind the overall picture. Megsons strategy demonstrates everything that is wrong with football, but it is mad to have a go at him personally. Crew 86 is right, the best bet for the game would be for the top clubs to form some kind of Euro League and let the rest get on with it. They would be begging to come back within 3 seasons.

 

Sluffy, that is a fine post, spot on

[Mr Softee]

It may be that with the current economic state people just can't get their heads around the money chucked around in football.

The best thing may be that the games implodes a bit and we get a bit of common sense back.

I agree that things are a bit stale now with the premier league but i don't think we are the only club like that.

At the moment there is no excitement and anticipation before the game. It was even a bit flat against the filth.

However I can't make my mind up whether I would prefer good attacking football if the price was relegation.

I feel sorry for GM at the moment. He probably is trying his best, but is struggling to motivate some of the players. The dressing room is probably like when you have a poor boss at work and all the sniping that goes with that.

[marple whites]

A lot of my mates support different teams and all seem to be losing "the bug" that we all seemed to have.

Cost, kick off times, stadiums, locations, spiralling wages, money grabbing players etc etc

 

You only need to look at places like Newcastle who have 7k - 10k short of capacity for league games - this never used to happen in the early years of

the premiership. How many other teams outside the top 4 regularly sell out ? Even United have had open sale for some home league games and

way short of capacity for Carling cup games.

 

The experience has certainly deteriorated.

 

But you never know how good something was until it was gone................................................think on !!

[Guest Blixa]

Echoing some of what has already been said, I think the problem now lies in how the club is set up - purely to survive.

 

We used to play to win things, we used to entertain (and not always in a good way - Barry Cowdrill's runs up the wing or Nicky Brookman's beer belly being two examples of the latter), but now it's all about staying where we are - ideally as a middling Prem team at best.

 

That's not Megson's fault (although that game v Sporting killed something off), it's not the board's fault - it's down to the Prem now being a millionaire's playground and outside the Prem being a financial black hole. So we get football geared to survive and that's not what the majority of us want.

 

The phrase 'rock and a hard place' springs to mind.

[jolly-olly]

I have to say Sluffy that your post here is excellent. Well said.

Edited January 30, 2009 by jolly-olly

[Guest pansyroadwhite]

I can see it but i dont like it, i may have rose tinted glasses, but i long for summat else to fill the void left by the lack of my matchday experience

[bolty58]

Not had time to read everything above. Internet down at work so a quick word. Only my opinion but I believe a lot of it is to do with the type of fans who have tagged on more recently. Never known what a lot of us went through in the 60's, 70', 80's etc. Then it was pride in your town which the club represented. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. All for one, one for all mentality and the moaning fcukers (yes, they were there but in smaller numbers) kept their distance.

 

Unfortunately, we have a generation of fans who have tagged on in more recent times with the 'instant gratification' mentality and no concept of how hard it is for a club like ours to compete against the likes of the pure filth from down the road. I have no doubt that we have fans who think we should win silverware. The odd Cup on rare occasions is the best we can hope for but I doubt if some people could be so pragmatic. They probably think we should be championship challengers.

 

The years under Sam gave these people hope. Hopefully, they'll fook off soon and the big 4 sod off into Europe and we can get the real fans game back to where it should be. Of course, the big 4 going would probably mean the emergence of another big 4 (City, Spurs Villa, Everton?) but I, personally, would be all in favour of a total overhaul including salary caps; draft system etc. to spread the glory around.

 

Whatever happens, BWFC is burned into my soul and I could never abandon it.

[Spider]

THE MOANERS

 

They know we'll win a trophy every 20 years at best. It's mentality. They WANT Bolton to fail then they can moan. I'm a stuck record now but the fact is mediocrity is no success to them (Mediocrity being mid-table, fine by me).

 

If it wasn't BWFC, they'd find somewhere else to go and pretend their opinions are listened to. Shouting and having a pop makes them think they stand out from the crowd as some insightful, interesting and maverick supporter who has spotted a problem and needs to let anyone in earshot know. They assume the role of TV pundit, there by the grace of God to have a superior and defining knowledge of the game that us mere mortals could never hope to achieve without them.

 

If they had the balls, they'd lash out at their wives, but noooo

 

They might even go out and pick a fight but they know they'd end up spitting teeth into a grid and wiping blood on their cardigans.

 

I've had enough. I'm going to Old Trafford where they at least manage to whinge in Japanese which I don't understand.

[Burndens Bogs]

Some fine posts on this thread

I can only echo folks feelings, that the magic and anticipation felt when going to a game have all but gone - i still enjoy it,but just not as much as i used to. I first started to feel this way about 3 seasons ago, and assumed it was just "an age thing" but knowing that the ages vary on here,and reading the views of people who feel the same, then it's obvious that this lethargy is spreading - and it isn't exclusive to BWFC.

Call me old fashioned, but i like a team playing with 2 wingers, who can beat full backs occasionally and whip crosses in from the by-line, with players steaming forward in support. I know that this tactic is just unrealistic against half of the teams in the Prem, but against the bottom half teams at home - why not at least try and attack with a bit more adventure?

In truth, watching the Whites has become dull - and people are getting fed up with it. You wouldn't go to the pictures and watch the same shite film every week but thats how it feels lately, so it's little wonder that crowds are dwindling because there is very little excitement.

[agentorange]

Probably the finest post i've read on this site so far. Good on you sir.

 

I admit it. I have been an intermittent supporter since my first game at Burnden (gainst Bristol City first game back in old first division). I am not from the area or even from England, although i lived in Bury (does that count?) for bout 6 years when i probably attended most of my Bolton fixtures (moved to Cheshire not long after play off defeat against Watford). In a way then for me the excitement comes more from seeing good quality football/a good game than grinding out results to stay clear of relegation.

Over the years esp recently i have become "more" of a supporter- go to the odd away (not Blackburn thank feck)game and been to most at home this season. I hope though i can still be as objective as when i was a "casual" observer.

The problem being described here regarding fans expectations/aggressiveness is a symptom of how things have gone in football/society in general. People are generally more impatient and more aggressive in how they voice their impatience than 30 years ago. Ironically at a time when hooliganism is on the wane (supposedly) the aggression is targetted in more insidious ways towards "your own".

I want Bolton to do well. I still like going to games at the Reebok. But i will probably keep going even if we are relegated.

Things could be worse.

The team i supported as a boy (and still do) Glasgow Rangers and their fans have made me feel far more ashamed than a minority (and it is a minority) who choose to scapegoat an individual for matters which are as you so eloquently describe largely beyond his control. No doubt if Nolan IS sold (which in my opinion he should be) and we go on a run of poor results, Megson will be pilloried for his decision. Fair do's - but he has made a brave decision. Lets get behind him and the team on Saturday. All game long - no matter the score

[worthy10]

i have to echo my fellow fan's sentiments on this fine, level headed ,emitional and elloquent thread.

 

Despite our collective frustrations and anxieties and the over the top abuse, there are obviously a hard core of sensitive, decent, loyal supporters of Bolton Wanderers who will not abandon them, no matter who there manager is because like all true football fan's it's in your blood. Supporters like myself that have seen the bad times.You don't have the liberty of chosing your club, it choses you.

 

I feel bereaved

 

Come on you whites!!!!!

[bolty58]

Echoing some of the praise for the intelligent and considered comments from true fans on this thread. Been pretty much a idiot free zone. Refreshing.

[clown]

Some fine posts on this thread

I can only echo folks feelings, that the magic and anticipation felt when going to a game have all but gone - i still enjoy it,but just not as much as i used to. I first started to feel this way about 3 seasons ago, and assumed it was just "an age thing" but knowing that the ages vary on here,and reading the views of people who feel the same, then it's obvious that this lethargy is spreading - and it isn't exclusive to BWFC.

Call me old fashioned, but i like a team playing with 2 wingers, who can beat full backs occasionally and whip crosses in from the by-line, with players steaming forward in support. I know that this tactic is just unrealistic against half of the teams in the Prem, but against the bottom half teams at home - why not at least try and attack with a bit more adventure?

In truth, watching the Whites has become dull - and people are getting fed up with it. You wouldn't go to the pictures and watch the same shite film every week but thats how it feels lately, so it's little wonder that crowds are dwindling because there is very little excitement.

 

Jesus, I must have written this in my sleep because you've written word for word how I feel.

 

Get Keegan in ffs!!!!

[Guest pansyroadwhite]

I too have enjoyed reading these posts and now realise i am not alone in my feelings and thats a great thing to know,

I must add, no matter how bad i feel i too will never abandon my club, as one fan mentioned earlier "the club chose me" , when i was divorced in 1985 my ex wife said "when his precious football team loses he comes home depressed" thing is i still do!!!!

[The True Marple White]

I agree that over the last few months the fans have turned but what I find funny is that absolutely NO ONE wanted Megson in the first and all slagged him off then so to turn round and defend him now is interesting. The reason why people are sticking up for him is for the sake of Bolton Wanderers, the club we love, and I believe this is the right thing to do, otherwise we are going to be a laughing stock.

 

On the other hand if you look at our own lives and our own working environment, I would love to know if any of you could get away with calling your stakeholders pathetic and think. I know I would be marched off the premises instantly!

[Smiley]

Phil Neal got more abuse than this.There was a match at Sheffield United when he went on as a sub when we were getting beaten and he received vitriolic abuse.There were maybe 1,000 at Sheffield and 5,500 at Blackburn so not as many people know about it and it wouldn't have been as noisy.

Neal's record will have been better than Megson's but he had it worse imo.

 

We'd conceded four goals in the second half and he'd brought off our best player - Peter Barnes.

In the context of things - comparing that to conceding a late equaliser in a Premiership match against a team unbeaten in 6 previous matches is a different kettle of fish.

 

But reading through some posts - yes, I've probably called for the head of the manager in the past - McFarland being the most recent example. Remember when we lost 3-0 at home to West Ham and Harry Redknapp said we were a disgrace for slagging off our manager? Things haven't changed really - just that shouting for a managers head and calling him names are two completely different, errr, kettles of fish (again!).

[peebles]

Not much to add really it's all been said pretty much.

 

I started going to Burnden with my dad early 80's Lever End then started going with my mates in the Paddock a few years later.

 

By the time I was working BWFC was my life.

 

I probably missed 2 or 3 games a season (mid-week aways and couldn't get time off).

 

I've been to one home game and one away this season (the other night). As stated before, it's a combination of the Breezeblock and it's location, ticket prices and players' wages. I yearn for the terraces but as Carlos points out, even the lower leagues are full of smaller Breezeblocks thesedays.

 

Went to Chorley last week and really enjoyed it. Can see myself becoming a regular until they get a new ground.

 

I will always love BWFC and care about results as much as I ever did. I just don't enjoy going to the games any more.