Former Bolton star Nathan Blake urges caution for Supporters' Trust

Ex-Wanderers star Nathan Blake has warned the new Supporters’ Trust their takeover attempt will not be without its problems.

The former striker is has been on the board at fan-owned Newport County and is currently working with the League Two club’s community trust.

He sent a message of support to the BWFCST, which has now moved beyond 6,000 members, and admits the club might have to take a step back before it moves forward.

“I’ve experienced this first hand at Newport and I’m here to tell you, it isn’t easy. Slowly but surely we have built the club up, from the kids playing at junior level to older fans playing walking football and now I can see signs of progress.

“Newport hasn’t got the size or history of Bolton. It is a fantastic opportunity for the people there to make a difference but what I learned here is that you have to concentrate your efforts in the right areas, or otherwise it can be an uphill struggle.

“You need to make sure that people know what you are doing and why you are doing it. You can’t rely 100 per cent on volunteers and you have to have the right structure, with enough people there to do the job.

“I think people in Bolton are realistic and that they know it might get worse before it gets better. But if you take the pain, the reward feels better.

“With no debts and a clean sheet it can be done. You just have to stick together.”

Meanwhile, the Trust is also investigating payment options for membership and examining how similar operations at Portsmouth and Hearts have gone about things.

Source

According to the supporters trust he backs their bid to take over the club.

http://www.bwfcst.co.uk/three-ex-wanderers-back-bwfcst-to-buy-bolton-wanderers/

Why let a few facts get in the way of a bit of propaganda, eh......?

Nathan Blakes wrote:“I’ve experienced this first hand at Newport and I’m here to tell you, it isn’t easy. Slowly but surely we have built the club up, from the kids playing at junior level to older fans playing walking football and now I can see signs of progress.

Newport hasn’t got the size or history of Bolton. It is a fantastic opportunity for the people there to make a difference but what I learned here is that you have to concentrate your efforts in the right areas, or otherwise it can be an uphill struggle.

You need to make sure that people know what you are doing and why you are doing it. You can’t rely 100 per cent on volunteers and you have to have the right structure, with enough people there to do the job.

I think people in Bolton are realistic and that they know it might get worse before it gets better. But if you take the pain, the reward feels better.

With no debts and a clean sheet it can be done. You just have to stick together.”

Think the supporters trust need to read what he said and take his advice

“You need to make sure that people know what you are doing and why you are doing it. You can’t rely 100 per cent on volunteers and you have to have the right structure, with enough people there to do the job."


Not entirely volunteers? So now the ST will have to put in place a pay structure for some, with expenses, probably company car. And he is talking about Newport. Possibly he can't say too much but hasn't it gone quiet on the ST front. No response about the possibility of the tax bill not being paid, or some of it. All the questions are building up with very few answers forthcoming. Why can't they be open as opposed to being selective in their answering? No wonder there's an air of mistrust about the place. For one, get a move on with the elections. Once elected people are in place, and accountable, I'll feel easier but right now I'm as sceptical about the whole charade as I have ever been.

It would take a lot of convincing for me to take any advice from Nathan Blake- that superstar of a bygone era. And without being arrogant I think BWFC are on a different scale to Newport County.
 Of course anyone taking a step like this would be cautious and anyone involved with this using an iota of intelligence will understand that there's risk involved. No-one needs Nathan Blake to issue risk warnings