It's happening. 

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17405193.bolton-wanderers-close-to-takeover-from-uk-based-consortium/

Thank fuck

1 minute ago, Mr Grey said:

I haven't chosen and i don't have a say.

Personally thought KA was doing a decent job by keeping us ticking over.

I, like all fans will hope all this comes to a head soon. 

It's all hypothetical isn't it.

We could have gone into administration, with Eddie paying the costs and someone else come in afterwards.

In the long run, it might have worked out cheaper for him, who knows.

No one's knows what would have happened, it's all speculation.

Like you say, we can only hope for a quick resolution.

1 hour ago, boltondiver said:

FFS, surely there’s a food bank in Horwich?

It would be a Michelin star food bank, obvs

44 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

You have backed him and defended Anderson to the hilt, even when it became apparent his actions were not in the best interests of BWFC, staff, players and fans.

I know you are BWFC to the core, that is why I am suprised that was the position you took.

 

Anyhow it is quite clear that the Trust had him taped and at the same time had the best interest of BWFC at heart (Although they would admit that they made mistakes).

I think its quite clear your standpoint and that of many on here  was/is had a lot of that was down to your dislike of Trust board members. Wood for the trees springs to mind.

 

I've backed Ken to the hilt?
Really? I'd love to see examples/proof.

More a case of being somewhat grateful he was just about managing to keep us afloat, having arrived on the day we were due to be liquidated when nobody else including the Trust would/could pull us back from the precipice.

Has he got it all right? No.
Has he got it all wrong? No.

I just think the money has finally run out and he hasn't got the ability to keep the plates spinning any more.

33 minutes ago, Ani said:

Ken was the only alternative to administration. So which would you have chosen ? 

Ken or Liquidation was the choice.

HMRC & the High Court removed the option of administration.

Throughout his tenure, Ken’s standard response has always been “what’s in the best interests of the club” 

whether that be walking away from tyre kickers, upsetting suppliers in order to renegotiate contracts, upsetting other clubs, whatever. It has always been (apparently) about Bolton Wanderers football club and it’s ability to be secured for the future 

I said on here many weeks ago that if that was true then was the time to walk away. On the basis that he got back what he put in. Forget was his intention was, forget what he felt he could make and the pound signs rolling around in his eyeballs. Cut his losses, get back his money and put it down to a business deal that didn’t work out

if this deal and any previous ones have fallen through because he’s sticking to his valuation and conditions to ensure he makes what he wants. It isn’t about the club at all. 

Thats becoming more apparent by the day and why my opinion on him is now shifting. Thanks for what you did in stepping in Ken. I begrudgingly admire what path you’ve taken to try and get us stabilised but time to honour the shit you rammed down our throats for the last couple of years and fuck off. Whilst the club is still intact in some way or another 

 

5 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

Plenty on here blew smoke up his arse, there was a thread on here titled king ken. 

Anyhow it’s all water under the bridge fans need to pull together and support the club as best we can and hope that there’s still a club to support going forward. 

If blowing smoke up his arse respects how he’s kept things going achieved relative success on the football pitch given his and the clubs resources then yeah stick me in that clan no probs.

the fat lady ain’t singing yet is she 

Edited March 4, 20197 yr by onlyoneawalker

2 minutes ago, barrycowdrill said:

Throughout his tenure, Ken’s standard response has always been “what’s in the best interests of the club” 

whether that be walking away from tyre kickers, upsetting suppliers in order to renegotiate contracts, upsetting other clubs, whatever. It has always been (apparently) about Bolton Wanderers football club and it’s ability to be secured for the future 

I said on here many weeks ago that if that was true then was the time to walk away. On the basis that he got back what he put in. Forget was his intention was, forget what he felt he could make and the pound signs rolling around in his eyeballs. Cut his losses, get back his money and put it down to a business deal that didn’t work out

if this deal and any previous ones have fallen through because he’s sticking to his valuation and conditions to ensure he makes what he wants. It isn’t about the club at all. 

Thats becoming more apparent by the day and why my opinion on him is now shifting. Thanks for what you did in stepping in Ken. I begrudgingly admire what path you’ve taken to try and get us stabilised but time to honour the shit you rammed down our throats for the last couple of years and fuck off. Whilst the club is still intact in some way or another 

 

I honestly don't think Ken being an arse is the issue. It appears to be the mess, the debt is greater than it appears at first glance. The terms were agreed and signed on. Due Diligence is where accounts are examined closely....it is also where most deals fall apart as the buyers realise either costs are higher than anticipated, there are hidden debts or more usually that debts that have been declared have a different legal status to what is anticipated. 

4 minutes ago, Traf said:

I've backed Ken to the hilt?
Really? I'd love to see examples/proof.

More a case of being somewhat grateful he was just about managing to keep us afloat, having arrived on the day we were due to be liquidated when nobody else including the Trust would/could pull us back from the precipice.

Has he got it all right? No.
Has he got it all wrong? No.

I just think the money has finally run out and he hasn't got the ability to keep the plates spinning any more.

Agree to an extent Traf... but it will be interesting to see what Ken has done whilst in charge that has potentially hindered a sale of the club as well. 

Anyone known if it’s true that if we going into admin, accounts for this year won’t get published? 

2 minutes ago, Mr Grey said:

Tbf it was changed to 'Sweaty Ken'

Maybe it will change again in the very near future 

Ken has crabs 

4 minutes ago, bwfcfan5 said:

I honestly don't think Ken being an arse is the issue. It appears to be the mess, the debt is greater than it appears at first glance. The terms were agreed and signed on. Due Diligence is where accounts are examined closely....it is also where most deals fall apart as the buyers realise either costs are higher than anticipated, there are hidden debts or more usually that debts that have been declared have a different legal status to what is anticipated. 

I do understand the principle of due diligence. That wasn’t really the gripe 

it’s more about his apparent unwillingness to fund the club whilst these discussions take place. Until it’s completed it’s his gig and responsibility. If he pays it minimises his profit. That’s the way I see it. Which flies in the face of what he’s repeatedly told us 

12 minutes ago, Traf said:

I've backed Ken to the hilt?
Really? I'd love to see examples/proof.

More a case of being somewhat grateful he was just about managing to keep us afloat, having arrived on the day we were due to be liquidated when nobody else including the Trust would/could pull us back from the precipice.

Has he got it all right? No.
Has he got it all wrong? No.

I just think the money has finally run out and he hasn't got the ability to keep the plates spinning any more.

You're not allowed views like that Traf

From minute 1 you have to be with or against, and you're either right or wrong

Bipolar-ways, 2019, whatever you call it, it ruins reasonable and sensible debate. See the Brexit thread for an example....traitors!

3 minutes ago, DirtySanchez said:

Ken has crabs 

Caught from the players' wives obvs...

13 minutes ago, barrycowdrill said:

Throughout his tenure, Ken’s standard response has always been “what’s in the best interests of the club” 

whether that be walking away from tyre kickers, upsetting suppliers in order to renegotiate contracts, upsetting other clubs, whatever. It has always been (apparently) about Bolton Wanderers football club and it’s ability to be secured for the future 

I said on here many weeks ago that if that was true then was the time to walk away. On the basis that he got back what he put in. Forget was his intention was, forget what he felt he could make and the pound signs rolling around in his eyeballs. Cut his losses, get back his money and put it down to a business deal that didn’t work out

if this deal and any previous ones have fallen through because he’s sticking to his valuation and conditions to ensure he makes what he wants. It isn’t about the club at all. 

Thats becoming more apparent by the day and why my opinion on him is now shifting. Thanks for what you did in stepping in Ken. I begrudgingly admire what path you’ve taken to try and get us stabilised but time to honour the shit you rammed down our throats for the last couple of years and fuck off. Whilst the club is still intact in some way or another 

 

This isn't too far away from where I'm at.

55 minutes ago, HomerJay said:

MK, nobody has ever "supported him", that i know of.

http://www.wanderersways.com/forum/topic/88415-sweaty-ken/?do=findComment&comment=1837450

"well i'm on team ken. fuck the st, iles and other doubters "

😄😉

Tank tops with a crab on to be sols in the club shop to raise funds 

2 minutes ago, ZicoKelly said:

http://www.wanderersways.com/forum/topic/88415-sweaty-ken/?do=findComment&comment=1837450

"well i'm on team ken. fuck the st, iles and other doubters "

😄😉

ive supported him

maybe ill be proved wrong in the end

seeing as at worst he delayed the inevitable a few years, i dont really see we had a choice

5 minutes ago, barrycowdrill said:

I do understand the principle of due diligence. That wasn’t really the gripe 

it’s more about his apparent unwillingness to fund the club whilst these discussions take place. Until it’s completed it’s his gig and responsibility. If he pays it minimises his profit. That’s the way I see it. Which flies in the face of what he’s repeatedly told us 

The thing is that he never was funding the club. He was simply letting it bob along and try and match outgoings with incomings. And borrowing where he couldn't.

He claims he put money in temporarily but we have nothing beyond his word - and who knows what that really meant if anything. 

So the idea he will fund it now I find a bit odd. We've hit the buffers, there's nowt left in the kitty. Ken clearly would have known roughly when this point would come and has I imagine steadily lowered his demands over time to try and ensure a sale before the crash. It seems he nearly managed it, but not quite. I agree its Ken's responsibility to manage the situation - but if a business runs out of cash - its owners often only have one or two courses of action....

No word from the basran mob so hopefully they are still in negotiations with Ken. When they make a statement saying its off then there is still hope. Surely though if Ken is refusing to pay any wages, bills ect then with no buyer then the club has to be put into administration? Sorry if I'm stating the obvious. 

1 minute ago, bwfcfan5 said:

He claims he put money in temporarily but we have nothing beyond his word 

I’ve mentioned it before but Bonnar confirmed previously it was around £1.5m to date (which was around 6 weeks ago)  Now factoring in his, his colleagues and employers very vocal and public anti KA stance, him confirming that is pretty decent confirmation for me. You will no doubt see it differently..

If Moonshift is repossessing Ken's shares, you can hardly expect him to put any money in.

10 minutes ago, Casino said:

ive supported him

maybe ill be proved wrong in the end

seeing as at worst he delayed the inevitable a few years, i dont really see we had a choice

we'll have to wait and see

the worst might be that he let the club go under because he kept changing the goal posts when buyers, like Basran were interested, and that it didn't matter to him because he'll be alright, like he told Vince he would be

if that's the case, and in the mean time he's taken healthy consultancy fees, plenty will have been proven right - most of whom have been derided

wait and see, but I'll never have it that it's been the selfless task KA and folk on here have tried to suggest it has been, unless after all this, it turns out he ended up out of pocket

11 minutes ago, barrycowdrill said:

I’ve mentioned it before but Bonnar confirmed previously it was around £1.5m to date (which was around 6 weeks ago)  Now factoring in his, his colleagues and employers very vocal and public anti KA stance, him confirming that is pretty decent confirmation for me. You will no doubt see it differently..

Which he's taken back out....

I don't see it anyway. Ken is not obliged to pay the staff. He's obliged to run the business and if said business is no longer a viable trading business to take appropriate steps. 

I think we are in the latter stages and that is all. 

He was the only option.

it was a shit option, but all we had.

Hes clearly out of his depth and the club is now back to square one.

we need a buyer, or we’re fucked.

his mission has failed and it’s partly circumstances, partly that he’s a bit of a cunt.

 

12 minutes ago, jules_darby said:

You're not allowed views like that Traf

From minute 1 you have to be with or against, and you're either right or wrong

Bipolar-ways, 2019, whatever you call it, it ruins reasonable and sensible debate. See the Brexit thread for an example....traitors!

Not true, I backed Ken while showing concern about his motives and how they might play out and his end game, it is still possible that everything will fall in place, but its looking unlikely.

Traf actually seemed to take a strong Pro Ken and that seemed to also be a reaction to an anti Trust stance, which is fair enough I just felt the pro ken anti trust was over played by quite a few on here. Like I say water under the bridge, time for fans to stick together and hope this fantastic football club can pull through, I am sure it will. COYWM.     

1 hour ago, birch-chorley said:

On another note then, from looking at the accounts what do you think living within our means would look like from a playing budget perspective? 

I mean, strip out all the exceptional items, debt, interest etc. Using revenue from the last set of accounts (which I believe was League 1) less our overheads, roughly speaking what’s left for wages / playing budget? 

Is it possible to compete in League 1 or are the Premier League facilities just to expensive to run so far down the football Pyramid? 

Interesting one that Birch. Turnover was £15m in the last set of accounts, staff costs were £14m (including players and other staff) and it looks like EBITDA was about -£10m which means other overheads were about £11m or so, although this is difficult to really understand because there isn’t the detail in the accounts.

There are all sorts of notes in the accounts that talk about reducing costs, onerous contracts etc. But if you say that turnover stays roughly similar at £15m, then make assumptions for non-player staff costs of probably about £2m and other overheads of say £6m or so now that Ken has taken an axe to anything he can then I reckon you’ve got around £5-8m to spend on players wages each year.

There were 51 ‘football players’ in the last accounts which I presume includes youth team and coaches etc. so if you take £1m or so away for all the non-1st team squad then I’d say about £5m in wages for the 1st team squad might just about see us breakeven (before taking player sales and paying interest etc. Into the equation). Squad of 20 1st team pro’s that’s an average of about £4k per week with a couple of goal bonuses chucked in on top as well as employers NI and pension contributions.

In summary - not very much. If we were managing to stick to something like that then all of a sudden, a sale the size of Madine pays your whole first team squad wages for a season!!