33 minutes ago, Sluffy said:

have turned up at an ordinary, lower league, north western, football club

Oh.. and if you really think we are just “ordinary”

I question whether you really are a fan 😊

Why did the Hollywood billionaires choose Wrexham? Equally valid question.

If you listen to Sharon, she’s passionate about football, a Lancashire girl (Burnley fan) and believes in community.

While not to everyone’s taste, a football club is a massive way of bringing a community together.

With regard to partners, Michael James needs no explanation. Sharon has worked with Nick Luckock and Nick Mason for years. Again, an obvious connection. And the Swiss include Ben Luckock: Nick’s brother.

EEP are the first new and not obvious connection. However, their experience and role seems obvious to me. We have lots of assets that are massively underutilised: the stadium, hotel, conference facilities, offices, hospitality areas, training ground, car parks and that large patch of land between the arena and police station.

It’s already been stated that EEP money is not for the team. It’s for investment into our excellent but unproductive infrastructure. For this investment they, presumably, will receive a significant share of the increased returns from their investment. They get a return from their investment and club get a boost to their non-football revenue.

It makes sense to me.

2 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

EEP are the first new and not obvious connection. However, their experience and role seems obvious to me. We have lots of assets that are massively underutilised: the stadium, hotel, conference facilities, offices, hospitality areas, training ground, car parks and that large patch of land between the arena and police station.

i've no idea whats in it for 'em nor am I going to write 3 chapters to explain that i'm just guessing

but sharon says theyre here to improve the fan experience - not sure how that fits

I find it hard to believe that there's this huge untapped potential at the stadium/land we own around the stadium

Could it host a few more concerts/conferences?

Yes, but I don't see how it returns the kind of fortune that justifies the Americans getting involved

2 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I find it hard to believe that there's this huge untapped potential at the stadium/land we own around the stadium

Could it host a few more concerts/conferences?

Yes, but I don't see how it returns the kind of fortune that justifies the Americans getting involved

Have you not noticed all that land doing nothing for 99% of the year? That empty office block (believe their is now a tenant in part of it)? The Premier suite that is used barely once a week? A hotel that always has lots of rooms available? Etc., etc.

This is EEP’s modus operandi. They invest in the infrastructure, and are experts in maximising returns from assets.

2 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

More worthy causes in whose eyes ?

Most people in the world I would suggest...

@desperado If you see football as you say then why has it taken 15 years since the stadium was full to capacity. Fans are fickle, we all know that,

We have folk on here openly bragging they watch our games on illegal firesticks, how community spirited of them of the club they support, eh?

I know plenty of people who have zero interest in football, it certainly doesn't connect them to the community.

I live in a non league football club town, where out of the hundreds of people I know who live and/or work here never talk about the local club, it has no connection at all to the community, local charities perform that role.

I think you might be living in a bubble (no offence intended) in that you clearly immerse yourself in all things BWFC as evidenced with how you express yourself on here, and no doubt most of your close friends and family are much like you.

Apparently the population of Bolton Metro is about 300,000, yet they can't manage to fill a stadium one twelfth that number since 2011 v Newcastle until Saturday.

I just don't get the 'community' bit either - ok they have a fat club, walking football and go to schools to teach kids to play football better - all good things but hardly significantly improving anyone's life I would suggest.

I'm happy for them to spend their millions on us, I can understand the swiss wanting to be a football club owner with their spare cash. I've never understood religious beliefs such as Sharon's, and I can't imagine the American's are here just to make the fan experience better at their own expense?

Maybe they are - but if so - I don't get it.

@Rival Son How has the club brought the community together in a 'massive way' for you, as it hasn't done anything for me?

The Hollywood lads wanted a bit of fun being club owners which I suggest is the same for our Swiss lads = both have money to burn on their hobby.

Mason and Nick Luckock have no interest in football before Sharon's 'calling' they back her dream with their money.

Do you think EEP is here because they 'get it' or because they are here to make a profit?

I suggest it is for a profit and couldn't give a fig about 'getting it'.

1 minute ago, Rival Son said:

Have you not noticed all that land doing nothing for 99% of the year? That empty office block (believe their is now a tenant in part of it)? The Premier suite that is used barely once a week? A hotel that always has lots of rooms available? Etc., etc.

This is EEP’s modus operandi. They invest in the infrastructure, and are experts in maximising returns from assets.

Yeah, it could probably be used more often but I can't really imagine there's that much demand

There's hotel and conference facilities up and down the country and if there is that demand, it begs the question why FV haven't taken advantage of it given they'd be more than capable

Even if the space could be utilised more, the kind of revenues and profits conferences and hotel bookings would generate are small fry compared to the kind of projects EEP seem to be involved in

My best guess is they've made a relatively small investment now to be in prime position to takeover in a year or two if we establish ourselves in this league

@Sluffy - with all due respect I think the problem lies with you on this

I don't think it's too hard to understand how a football club can be seen as an attractive viehicle to improve the mood and the lives of the local community

It's not just about turning round the fortunes of the team on the pitch either, the club's involved in lots of community initiatives, BWITC, link ups with schools, community iftars at the stadium, etc.

And I think it's pretty clear that's how Sharon sees it

Just now, Sluffy said:

Most people in the world I would suggest...

@desperado If you see football as you say then why has it taken 15 years since the stadium was full to capacity. Fans are fickle, we all know that,

We have folk on here openly bragging they watch our games on illegal firesticks, how community spirited of them of the club they support, eh?

I know plenty of people who have zero interest in football, it certainly doesn't connect them to the community.

I live in a non league football club town, where out of the hundreds of people I know who live and/or work here never talk about the local club, it has no connection at all to the community, local charities perform that role.

I think you might be living in a bubble (no offence intended) in that you clearly immerse yourself in all things BWFC as evidenced with how you express yourself on here, and no doubt most of your close friends and family are much like you.

Apparently the population of Bolton Metro is about 300,000, yet they can't manage to fill a stadium one twelfth that number since 2011 v Newcastle until Saturday.

I just don't get the 'community' bit either - ok they have a fat club, walking football and go to schools to teach kids to play football better - all good things but hardly significantly improving anyone's life I would suggest.

I'm happy for them to spend their millions on us, I can understand the swiss wanting to be a football club owner with their spare cash. I've never understood religious beliefs such as Sharon's, and I can't imagine the American's are here just to make the fan experience better at their own expense?

Maybe they are - but if so - I don't get it.

@Rival Son How has the club brought the community together in a 'massive way' for you, as it hasn't done anything for me?

The Hollywood lads wanted a bit of fun being club owners which I suggest is the same for our Swiss lads = both have money to burn on their hobby.

Mason and Nick Luckock have no interest in football before Sharon's 'calling' they back her dream with their money.

Do you think EEP is here because they 'get it' or because they are here to make a profit?

I suggest it is for a profit and couldn't give a fig about 'getting it'.

Just to add, EEP are now minority owners.

Whatever they are here for they will need to make a bigger profit than what the clubs annual trading losses if they want a return on their investment.

Unless there is some form of contractual agreement attached to their share purchase or they also act as contractors to the work.

On 16/08/2026 at 16:30, Dr. Feelgood said:

Now here's controversial.

I think Carr's pasties are shite, with their ultra thin, ultra short party & small size. It's a shame Greenhalgh's never got the gig.

There. I've said it.

Is it still Greenhalgh's pies at the match these days? Almost certain and had a meat and potato years ago.

The EEP money is for whatever the club deems it best for. I don't think they can dictate what it's for - it might piss them off in terms of any future investment but there's not much they can do about it.

Edited Tuesday at 11:572 days by jmjhb

38 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

Have you not noticed all that land doing nothing for 99% of the year? That empty office block (believe their is now a tenant in part of it)? The Premier suite that is used barely once a week? A hotel that always has lots of rooms available? Etc., etc.

EG Group have rented out the North Stand but most of that goes to Michael James (indirectly or otherwise); it's essentially his retirement fund!

We could do more in the Prem Suite, sure, but that doesn't move the dial completely. Hotel is doing quite well this year, but again Radisson take a big cut of it.

Edited Tuesday at 12:082 days by jmjhb

29 minutes ago, Sluffy said:

I just don't get the 'community' bit either

There’s a massive list that goes beyond your meagre one.

You’d only have to look at Bolton Wanderers in the Community, across their many media and social channels if you wanted to know how much more.

Their reach across all sectors of the community is impressive.

2 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

@Sluffy - with all due respect I think the problem lies with you on this

I don't think it's too hard to understand how a football club can be seen as an attractive viehicle to improve the mood and the lives of the local community

It's not just about turning round the fortunes of the team on the pitch either, the club's involved in lots of community initiatives, BWITC, link ups with schools, community iftars at the stadium, etc.

And I think it's pretty clear that's how Sharon sees it

Maybe it does lie with me but I don't get why anyone would want to put £80m into any club (£60m already invested into the club with a further £10m from EEP and yet another £10m from presumably the Swiss), simply to "improve the mood and the lives of the local community" (with none of the investors other than Mike James actually having anything to do with the community until they bought into the club?).

Don't you think £80m to link up with schools and have community iftars at the club is rather a lot for achieving this?

It makes no sense at all to me.

None whatsoever.

I see the sense in people having the money wanting the excitement of owning the club (the Wrexham owners and likely the Swiss), I can see the sense in Mason having the money to be able to fund Sharon her dream and I can understand the Americans being here if they can see the potential of a profit for them.

But pull the other one if you truly believe £80m has been put in just to improve the mood and lives of the local community.

4 minutes ago, desperado said:

There’s a massive list that goes beyond your meagre one.

You’d only have to look at Bolton Wanderers in the Community, across their many media and social channels if you wanted to know how much more.

Their reach across all sectors of the community is impressive.

I'm sure there are but until Saturday it hasn't been enough to fill the stadium has it.

The rest (even if it is genuine) is simply good PR, isn't it?

The Swiss are hands-off; basically 50 people putting in anywhere from 100-500K, suppose it's a passive investment on their part

Edited Tuesday at 12:162 days by jmjhb

2 minutes ago, Sluffy said:

I'm sure there are but until Saturday it hasn't been enough to fill the stadium has it.

The rest (even if it is genuine) is simply good PR, isn't it?

I’d say it’s much more than just PR. And more than just about filling stadiums up too - although that’s great and well done to all for achieving this on our first game back in the Championship. Another fantastic milestone for FVs. 👏

4 minutes ago, Sluffy said:

But pull the other one if you truly believe £80m has been put in just to improve the mood and lives of the local community.

I don't think that (and didn't suggest it was)

But I do think it's Sharon's main motivation

56 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

Have you not noticed all that land doing nothing for 99% of the year? That empty office block (believe their is now a tenant in part of it)? The Premier suite that is used barely once a week? A hotel that always has lots of rooms available? Etc., etc.

This is EEP’s modus operandi. They invest in the infrastructure, and are experts in maximising returns from assets.

The hotel was decent when it had the gym/pool open in the basement which you could use as guests

Then they closed it during COVID and it never re-opened. Now for me it has no USP

Was staying there over Christmas the other year and they shut the bar at 9pm saying that there wasn't enough people in. The website listed the bar as a guest facility so to close it seemed a bit out of order

And it was raining and I couldn't be arsed walking to Harvester. And they fucked up on the parking and tried to issue me a fine which was a complete pain in the arse to sort out

Now for me there is no reason to stay there, Travelodge etc is more likely cheaper and whilst the hotel is nice, it's just a place to lay my head so probably won't bother in the future

27 minutes ago, tshape said:

Is it still Greenhalgh's pies at the match these days? Almost certain and had a meat and potato years ago.

Holland (pretty decent) supplied for a while. Maybe Greggs. But Carrs (tbf, they sponsor a stand) have cornered it now.

For Greenhalgh's it's a scale thing, for once a fortnight, I think.

3 minutes ago, jmjhb said:

The Swiss are hands-off; basically 50 people putting in anywhere from 100-500K, suppose it's a passive investment on their part

Yes and no.

BMLL Ltd are the majority owners of FV and with both the Luckock's own personal shareholdings own over 50% of FV, they may be passive but they have the final say if they ever need to.

And I'm sure they are passively investing because they do own a control of a football club and enjoy the excitement that goes with it and not primarily because they want to improve the mood of the Bolton community (although that being a nice by-product from their investment too).

8 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I don't think that (and didn't suggest it was)

But I do think it's Sharon's main motivation

Maybe it is Sharon's motivation but if it cost £80m simply to achieve that, then I strongly suggest she could have made innumerably more peoples "mood and lives happier" by spending it elsewhere - don't you?

2 minutes ago, Sluffy said:

Yes and no.

BMLL Ltd are the majority owners of FV and with both the Luckock's own personal shareholdings own over 50% of FV, they may be passive but they have the final say if they ever need to.

And I'm sure they are passively investing because they do own a control of a football club and enjoy the excitement that goes with it and not primarily because they want to improve the mood of the Bolton community (although that being a nice by-product from their investment too).

Maybe it is Sharon's motivation but if it cost £80m simply to achieve that, then I strongly suggest she could have made innumerably more peoples "mood and lives happier" by spending it elsewhere - don't you?

Well, it hasn't cost her that

And I don't think there are many options available that deliver an impact on quite as many people's lives

1 hour ago, Sluffy said:

Most people in the world I would suggest...

You are assuming and generalising .

For some people the RSPB (for example) would be the one and only charity they would follow and would place it above all others .

I couldnt care less about them . I want the board at BWFC to have chosen and do what they are doing at , what I consider, is MY football club . IMO the football club is Vital to the local community and I would use what happened to the town of Accrington after the football club folded as an example .

Everyone involved at Bolton Wanderers could have pumped all their money into Cancer research . Im glad they didnt .

5 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

Well, it hasn't cost her that

And I don't think there are many options available that deliver an impact on quite as many people's lives

You think an £80m donation to say Christie's Hospital (or any other hospital or charity) wouldn't impact as many lives?

I think you would be wrong about that.

And no it hasn't cost Sharon £80m but it has for all those who have invested into her 'project' and I suggest for most of them it is the excitement of being a part owner in a club (the Swiss) or an investment opportunity (EEP Ltd) and not because they 'get it'.

5 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

You are assuming and generalising .

For some people the RSPB (for example) would be the one and only charity they would follow and would place it above all others .

I couldnt care less about them . I want the board at BWFC to have chosen and do what they are doing at , what I consider, is MY football club . IMO the football club is Vital to the local community and I would use what happened to the town of Accrington after the football club folded as an example .

Everyone involved at Bolton Wanderers could have pumped all their money into Cancer research . Im glad they didnt .

You asked about more worthy cause, I suggested there are vastly many more significantly greater than making fans of one particular football club feel happy and part of a community.

Fighting cancer is clearly one of them.

I'm sure you would soon change your mind if any of your loved ones ever suffered from it.

I've no idea why you want to reference Accrington Stanley, I would have though Bury's demise more recent and relevant and the town basically picked up the pieces and reformed the club, just as happened with the folk at Accrington did and now have their club in the fourth division.

There's more to life than just football.

You will learn that one day.

2 hours ago, Sluffy said:

How has the club brought the community together in a 'massive way' for you, as it hasn't done anything for me?

A growing number of people proud of the club and town.

A feel good atmosphere around the stadium, pubs, schools and the town and wider catchment area.

The fan zone.

Listening and engaging with supporters.

Brilliant away days.

Joint charity events around the town.

The White Wall at Wembley.

Barely a Man Utd/City shirt seen around the area.

Ex players and managers present and engaging with the club and fans.

2nd fan zone and (for Bradford and hopefully again) an away fan zone.

26+k crowd on our return to the Championship.

I could go on, but there’s such a feel good factor around the club and town, at the moment.

If you haven’t spotted that, perhaps you spend less time reading financial statements and get out a bit more. It’s not just about the money.

im not sure when sluffy last visited the town, the reebok or even attended a game, so he's not going to see/feel it

the town is happy with its football club in a way it hasn't been for years

tbh, it can change quickly with bad results but atm, theres smiles everywhere