Ken Anderson - update.

This alleged £4 million bill for injured players is a bit of a worry. My own "back of a fag packet CF" would suggest we are still running at a considerable loss. With owners who don't get along and a lack of clarity about their investment and future ability to invest it can only point us down the asset stripping route. 
New owners would be the solution but we aren't really investable at the moment and with our current owners playing silly buggers I doubt anyone in their right mind would want to buy us or deal with them.
In a way, promotion could be our only road to salvation and that's looked a lot less likely of late. 
All in all, it's not going well.

Surely the best move now is to sell the club on ....this time to an outfit that actually has money. Avoid the supposed upcoming law suits arguing over pocket change ...all directors and owners gone including figure head Eddie and start over again. Hopefully this does not affect things on the pitch but it must in reality.

Sluffy wrote:

Kane57 wrote:Nah you're alright. As for the ST that idea came from WW who received a proper credit.

Well if it did then why didn't you post up your article when you saw it in a post that was addressed to you about your "mates" at the ST, around lunchtime yesterday and just suddenly decided to do your article on LoV after seeing our headline 'warning' thread some 9 or 10 hours later?

To be honest I'm not bothered you pinched our idea to specifically bring it to the attention of people so as to warn them, nor any other story we might have from time to time - it is the nature of the beast in the forum/blog world we live in - but a strategy from you of crediting the remaining BWFC forums that are left these days (have you noticed how few people post on The Wanderer these days?) on the headline leads they give you, might be helpful to us both in the long run - considering that we aren't actually direct competitors to each other?

Just a thought.

Mainly because I was at work.

Just a thought

Kane57 wrote:

Sluffy wrote:

Kane57 wrote:Nah you're alright. As for the ST that idea came from WW who received a proper credit.

Well if it did then why didn't you post up your article when you saw it in a post that was addressed to you about your "mates" at the ST, around lunchtime yesterday and just suddenly decided to do your article on LoV after seeing our headline 'warning' thread some 9 or 10 hours later?

To be honest I'm not bothered you pinched our idea to specifically bring it to the attention of people so as to warn them, nor any other story we might have from time to time - it is the nature of the beast in the forum/blog world we live in - but a strategy from you of crediting the remaining BWFC forums that are left these days (have you noticed how few people post on The Wanderer these days?) on the headline leads they give you, might be helpful to us both in the long run - considering that we aren't actually direct competitors to each other?

Just a thought.

Mainly because I was at work.

Just a thought

You don't have to explain yourself to me mate.

As I say I'm not bothered, it is just all a game really and real life and work should always come first.

Yet another thought.

Sluffy wrote:

Kane57 wrote:

Sluffy wrote:

Kane57 wrote:Nah you're alright. As for the ST that idea came from WW who received a proper credit.

Well if it did then why didn't you post up your article when you saw it in a post that was addressed to you about your "mates" at the ST, around lunchtime yesterday and just suddenly decided to do your article on LoV after seeing our headline 'warning' thread some 9 or 10 hours later?

To be honest I'm not bothered you pinched our idea to specifically bring it to the attention of people so as to warn them, nor any other story we might have from time to time - it is the nature of the beast in the forum/blog world we live in - but a strategy from you of crediting the remaining BWFC forums that are left these days (have you noticed how few people post on The Wanderer these days?) on the headline leads they give you, might be helpful to us both in the long run - considering that we aren't actually direct competitors to each other?

Just a thought.

Mainly because I was at work.

Just a thought

You don't have to explain yourself to me mate.

As I say I'm not bothered, it is just all a game really and real life and work should always come first.

Yet another thought.

Sluffy - With all the BS going on behind the scenes and now in front of the scenes... just wanted to say thank you for your hard work.  Your scenario is probably close to accurate... and the machinations that are going in the boardroom are troublesome and worrisome... as opposed to the effect it is having on the manager and the team... which are equally troubling and worrying.  If you listen to KA's words, he understands the ramifications of the costs of carrying the injured players... and he seems to be communicating with all of us. He also warned us about how bad the financials would be when they came out... unseen and unsightly debts that he did not know about.  Deano's comments, on the other hand, exasperate the divide between the principals.  It is hard to believe that the trustee and the FA would have allowed the sale to happen (even at the last moment), if there was no money in the coffers.  Someone is stretching the truth, and for this moment, we can't blame Donald Trump... a purveyor of fabrication!  So, thank you Sluffy for laying this out in a way we can all understand.  Hopefully we can find someone with deep pockets to pull us out of this mess.

observer wrote:Sluffy - With all the BS going on behind the scenes and now in front of the scenes... just wanted to say thank you for your hard work.  Your scenario is probably close to accurate... and the machinations that are going in the boardroom are troublesome and worrisome... as opposed to the effect it is having on the manager and the team... which are equally troubling and worrying.  If you listen to KA's words, he understands the ramifications of the costs of carrying the injured players... and he seems to be communicating with all of us. He also warned us about how bad the financials would be when they came out... unseen and unsightly debts that he did not know about.  Deano's comments, on the other hand, exasperate the divide between the principals.  It is hard to believe that the trustee and the FA would have allowed the sale to happen (even at the last moment), if there was no money in the coffers.  Someone is stretching the truth, and for this moment, we can't blame Donald Trump... a purveyor of fabrication!  So, thank you Sluffy for laying this out in a way we can all understand.  Hopefully we can find someone with deep pockets to pull us out of this mess.

Thank you Obs, very kind words indeed.

I was fortunate to have a bit of time on my hands today when all this blew up!

I'm quite interested myself with what is happening at the club because behind the scene issues most definitely effect what happens on the pitch - as we have all seen with player signing constraints and the need to sell some of our best young talent.

It really doesn't take more than a moment for me to copy and paste that I find of interest to put them on here and the opinions I post up of mine are a sort of trying to reason things to myself out loud, more than to show how smart I can be.

I get plenty things wrong but better I think to post things up and allow them to get shot down, than no one making any comment other than taking a line that others have taken already, such as the ST, Iles, or a nameless click bait site (easy Chris I'm only joking!).

I'm really pleased you've got some benefit from what I've done today, and in general over the years, because that is how I like to give back to whatever the forum I frequent at the time.

For what it is worth my guess of what will happen next is for the legality of the contract between Holdsworth/Sport Shield and BluMarble to be proved one way or the other because if Holdsworth entered into it illegally my limited knowledge of British contract law would make the contract void and have Holdsworth looking to find the £5 million he borrowed from them!

I'm not sure though how it would impact on the club seeing that it was witnessed by one of their employees.  I guess if he was only involved to witness a signature then it would be irrelevant to the case who he worked for?

Whatever happens from now on in - it certainly won't be boring!

Very candid audio interview from Anderson to Jack Dearden of BBC Manchester.

Twelve minutes long - highly recommend a listen.

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(PS this was the interview Iles was not invited to by Anderson!)

Sluffy wrote:Very candid audio interview from Anderson to Jack Dearden of BBC Manchester.

Twelve minutes long - highly recommend a listen.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

(PS this was the interview Iles was not invited to by Anderson!)

KA sounds very well versed and paints a picture of exactly what he has talked about all season... a team that will run at break-even.  Obviously the rift between Deano and KA is deep and probably will not be settled until push comes to shove.  We can only speculate on what Deano wants to get out... but he will be hard pressed to win when KA is the only one who is putting money into the club.  Deano also has to pay the interest or the vig or his loan... probably the biggest contention between the two is guaranteeing the loan through the club's assets.  Can't argue with any of the points KA has made... but I'm sure he is tough in his negotiation to get Deano out.  At some point, it will be apparent to both, that they both lose and the club loses if they cannot settle.  They will settle and both will claim victory... that's how business is done.

Now let's get another 6 points this week, and make it 9 points from 3 games.  That will make all of us smile.

observer wrote:

Sluffy wrote:Very candid audio interview from Anderson to Jack Dearden of BBC Manchester.

Twelve minutes long - highly recommend a listen.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

(PS this was the interview Iles was not invited to by Anderson!)

KA sounds very well versed and paints a picture of exactly what he has talked about all season... a team that will run at break-even.  Obviously the rift between Deano and KA is deep and probably will not be settled until push comes to shove.  We can only speculate on what Deano wants to get out... but he will be hard pressed to win when KA is the only one who is putting money into the club.  Deano also has to pay the interest or the vig or his loan... probably the biggest contention between the two is guaranteeing the loan through the club's assets.  Can't argue with any of the points KA has made... but I'm sure he is tough in his negotiation to get Deano out.  At some point, it will be apparent to both, that they both lose and the club loses if they cannot settle.  They will settle and both will claim victory... that's how business is done.

Now let's get another 6 points this week, and make it 9 points from 3 games.  That will make all of us smile.

He also makes it clear his dislike for the ST with their latest shot at the club namely the ill conceived and totally inaccurate £25 million in debt missive they sent out to all and sundry this week (although he never mentions them by name).

Clearly sent a message to Iles by withdrawing his invitation to attend this interview because (in my opinion) he gives the self obsessives of the ST a permanent platform for their pro-Holdsworth anti-Anderson stance.

Iles though clearly can't see this at all from the tweets he's posted on the non invitation.  He sees himself as being fair to all and I don't doubt he believes that too but the fact is he's far to 'in' with the 'haters' on the ST Board and either believes fully their take on things or is so short of contacts himself within the club that he will take anything just to fill up his column inches.

BBC Radio Manchester talk show this evening featuring Steve Battersby described as a Bolton fan (I think he is an accountant) and Daniel Izza (Lawyer, insolvency expert and ST Board member - also very anti-Anderson imo from some of the stuff he tweets!).

To be honest not much new was said and the interview with Anderson which I linked to a couple of posts back was mostly all played again.

The only mildly interesting comment I thought was when someone (I can't remember who) suggested that IF the share holding was still split equally between Holdsworth and Anderson (Anderson believing he had already acquired a controlling majority interest) then if one or other of them bought the minority share holders balance (6% ownership in the club) to give them an undisputed majority - in order to break the deadlock and move the club forward.

Link here for anyone interested enough to listen to it -

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The issue with the caterers seems to have been sorted and now on nodding terms with the ST in the latest news from Anderson -


As I said in my programme notes for the Rochdale game, it is so much more refreshing and positive to be talking about matters on the pitch as opposed to what's going on behind the scenes. 
 
Tuesday night’s win against Rochdale was a typical midweek derby game, where the spirit and camaraderie of the players came through to grind out three points against a well organised and determined opposition. 
 
We are now unbeaten in three games against very difficult teams, and with other results going our way, we are gradually clawing our way back towards those two automatic promotion spots. 

As I keep saying, there's still a long way to go and there will be many twists and turns, not forgetting some surprise results, but as long as we can continue to remain focused, I believe we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. 
 
Once again the turnout of supporters was fantastic, particularly on Valentine's Day! Also, to see the manager urging you all to get behind the team, which you did, in my opinion it was no coincidence that we scored the winner when you were all at your most vocal. Long may you continue to be vocal!

Before the game I met with the Supporters Trust and had what I think was an open, frank and meaningful meeting. 
 
I am hopeful that going forward we will be able to work closer together and be more supportive of each other, as it is essential that we get the club back on a financially sustainable foundation and work our way through eradicating the losses and putting ourselves in a position to refinance the club through a debt and equity offering. 
 
I have to say, I came away from the meeting believing that they were on side and would be very supportive going forward in helping, supporting and understanding the difficult and at times painful decisions I am having to make to ensure the future of this club. 
 
Together, I am confident we will come out of this much stronger for the actions we are currently having to take. 
 
I also had a meeting with Specialist Catering Company/Heathcotes, our catering partner yesterday and I am pleased to say that we have resolved the recent issues and are now focusing on moving everything forward, hopefully, for the better. 

I have been really pleased with the take-up of our Super 7 season ticket offer, which has now ended, together with the excellent sales in the first few days of our kit offer, and I thank each and every one of you for your continued support.  
 
I look forward to seeing that ‘white wall’ of supporters at our forthcoming games. For anyone who hasn't got our colours yet, there has never been a better time to buy them. Please visit Bolton Central in person or click HERE to take advantage of this special offer.
 
Finally, I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our next two away games – Bradford and Sheffield United - and as always, let's be loud, let's be proud and let's get behind the team!
 
Kind regards,
 
Ken Anderson, Chairman 

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Whatever you think of Ken Anderson, you've got to hand it to him that he's quite a shrewd operator.

These comments about the Truss are skillfully designed in a way where he can, in future if they keep on with the name-calling, turn round and say "I did my bit. I was open and honest with them and I really thought we were of one mind on things. So imagine my disappointment at the fact that they haven't grasped the opportunity to work together with the club (ie me) and appear hell bent on causing trouble."

He's cut them off at the knees a bit with this move - kudos to him!

Ken Anderson. Open and honest. Interesting use of words.

And I bet he's got unethical hair!

Interesting that he intends to go for a mixture of debt and equity financing to achieve solvency. Obviously it depends on the balance he strikes, but equity financing would effectively dilute his (and Deano's) shareholding so I'm wondering if he's also trying to f*** Deano over?


Reading between the lines there is a suggestion that he may have to make more cuts before we're on an even keel but he may be referring to not renewing big earner contracts in the summer when he talks about "painful decisions".

When does a draw feel like a win? When you come from two goals down after 17 minutes having gifted the opposition their goals and are struggling to get any possession.  

Thankfully, the spirit of the team managed to get us back in to the game as the first half progressed and with a little bit of luck and better finishing, we could have gone in at half time on equal terms or at least just one goal behind.

As it turned out, we played much better and looked more likely to score in the second half and when we did get back on even terms, we then had several opportunities to close the game out. 

Overall though, a draw was probably a fair and well earned result. 

With other results also going our way, we ended up only losing ground to Fleetwood, which just goes to show - as I have been saying for a few weeks - that there will be many twists and turns over the next few weeks.

As long as we can keep ourselves there or there abouts however, we are still in with a good shout for automatic promotion. 

Once again, our away support of nearly 2,500 fans was incredible and helped us back into the game as there is no doubt that their crowd screaming from the outset had an unnerving effect on our players, particularly in the first 25 minutes. 

It was probably the loudest and most hostile support I have personally witnessed all season and all credit must go to our players for dealing with it over the course of the game. 

We now move on to our next game away to Sheffield United who are currently top of the league, but having already beaten them twice this season, we will go there full of confidence. 

Again, I look forward to seeing a wall of white in the away end at Bramall Lane cheering the team on as once again, they will have a big and noisy crowd behind them themselves.

As always let's be loud, let's be proud and let's get behind the team.

Kind Regards

Ken


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Yeah, well done players, you only bottled it a bit when a few Bradford fans shouted loudly.

Fuck me, professional players earning thousands being praised for only letting the atmosphere affect them for 25 minutes.

Wankers.

Natasha Whittam wrote:Yeah, well done players, you only bottled it a bit when a few Bradford fans shouted loudly.

Fuck me, professional players earning thousands being praised for only letting the atmosphere affect them for 25 minutes.

Wankers.

That was my thoughts exactly. Ridiculous thing to say.

Bwfc1958 wrote:

Natasha Whittam wrote:Yeah, well done players, you only bottled it a bit when a few Bradford fans shouted loudly.

Fuck me, professional players earning thousands being praised for only letting the atmosphere affect them for 25 minutes.

Wankers.

That was my thoughts exactly. Ridiculous thing to say.

I'm sure the players weren't exactly impressed by that comment either. They wouldn't be third in the league if they were intimidated by a few vocal opposing fans.

finlaymcdanger wrote:They wouldn't be third in the league if they were intimidated by a few vocal opposing fans.

No, they'd be top.