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The 100-or-so yards between the players’ car park and reception at the Macron Stadium can be a time-consuming trek for some on match-day.
Zach Clough rarely runs the gauntlet without being stopped for a picture or an autograph request, as proved the case before Saturday’s battling FA Cup draw against Crystal Palace.
It was still a few hours before kick-off but a smattering of fans gathered at the front concourse to welcome their heroes, and each request was granted with a smile and a chat.
That particular walk has not always been as agreeable. As the troubles stacked up for Wanderers in recent years the gap between players and fans widened – and such exchanges with supporters young and old became less commonplace.
Though home-grown members of the squad like Clough and Josh Vela were always protected from the worst of the criticism, even in the most chaotic times, the experience has made a lasting impression.
And though celebrity does not sit naturally on the striker’s young shoulders, the darker times in his career have helped make him appreciate what is currently happening around the club.
“It’s weird really, I don’t see myself as a recognisable player – I’m just Zach,” he said. “Me and Josh, though, coming through the academy, we’ll always have those deep roots with fans. And they have been right behind the lads this year – it has really helped.
“You have got to enjoy your football – it isn’t a long career at the end of the day and if you are not playing with a smile on your face then you can’t be playing your best.
“That’s definitely something I have learned over the past 12 months – even over a short period of time I have learned a lot from what happened last season.
“You have to appreciate the privileged position we’re in and never take it for granted.
“I’m still quite young to have experienced what I have already. I have been in a team which is losing most weeks and then one which is winning too.
“Even when you’re in those difficult situations you have to play with a smile because we’re in the best job in the world. But I definitely prefer being on a winning team!”
“They have got right behind the lads this year and that has really helped, having everyone pulling in the same direction.
“I love this football club – I really do – I couldn’t be happier here and I know that this club is too good to be where it is right now.”
This time just two years ago, we were still reeling from Clough’s magical FA Cup debut against Wigan Athletic.
Neil Lennon had finally given the Bolton public a chance to see the youth team prodigy in action, and he did not disappoint, but since those heady first few months in the senior ranks there has been a lot of growing up to do.
“It has been tough for me but I feel like I’ve found my feet now,” Clough said. “It’s hard for any young player to be consistent but especially under the manager (Phil Parkinson) I feel as though he is helping me find that in my game.
“Even if I have a match where I am not at my best, he will always act quickly to help me find out what’s wrong. He’ll help you out with any advice he can to make sure that by the time the next match comes around, you’re on it.”
Pressure has also mounted on Clough, top of the Wanderers’ scoring charts with eight goals but still learning a new position on the left side of attack.
Injuries have been a prohibitive factor in his development thus far but Parkinson’s medical and sports science team now appear to have helped Clough conquer the worst.
The 21-year-old has also forged a good relationship with his manager, who has helped him negotiate some of the pitfalls of a young footballer’s career – especially smack bang in the middle of a transfer window.
Clough’s aim between now and May is to ensure the walk into the stadium on match-day is even more enjoyable next season, hopefully in preparation for Championship football.
“My aim is to stay fit between now and the end of the season and show the Bolton fans what I can really do when I am at the top of my game,” he recently told the club.
“There is a lot of pressure on us to bounce back to the Championship this season but, as a team, it was always our collective aim too. And we’ll be giving everything we can to achieve that goal.”
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Zach Clough rarely runs the gauntlet without being stopped for a picture or an autograph request, as proved the case before Saturday’s battling FA Cup draw against Crystal Palace.
It was still a few hours before kick-off but a smattering of fans gathered at the front concourse to welcome their heroes, and each request was granted with a smile and a chat.
That particular walk has not always been as agreeable. As the troubles stacked up for Wanderers in recent years the gap between players and fans widened – and such exchanges with supporters young and old became less commonplace.
Though home-grown members of the squad like Clough and Josh Vela were always protected from the worst of the criticism, even in the most chaotic times, the experience has made a lasting impression.
And though celebrity does not sit naturally on the striker’s young shoulders, the darker times in his career have helped make him appreciate what is currently happening around the club.
“It’s weird really, I don’t see myself as a recognisable player – I’m just Zach,” he said. “Me and Josh, though, coming through the academy, we’ll always have those deep roots with fans. And they have been right behind the lads this year – it has really helped.
“You have got to enjoy your football – it isn’t a long career at the end of the day and if you are not playing with a smile on your face then you can’t be playing your best.
“That’s definitely something I have learned over the past 12 months – even over a short period of time I have learned a lot from what happened last season.
“You have to appreciate the privileged position we’re in and never take it for granted.
“I’m still quite young to have experienced what I have already. I have been in a team which is losing most weeks and then one which is winning too.
“Even when you’re in those difficult situations you have to play with a smile because we’re in the best job in the world. But I definitely prefer being on a winning team!”
“They have got right behind the lads this year and that has really helped, having everyone pulling in the same direction.
“I love this football club – I really do – I couldn’t be happier here and I know that this club is too good to be where it is right now.”
This time just two years ago, we were still reeling from Clough’s magical FA Cup debut against Wigan Athletic.
Neil Lennon had finally given the Bolton public a chance to see the youth team prodigy in action, and he did not disappoint, but since those heady first few months in the senior ranks there has been a lot of growing up to do.
“It has been tough for me but I feel like I’ve found my feet now,” Clough said. “It’s hard for any young player to be consistent but especially under the manager (Phil Parkinson) I feel as though he is helping me find that in my game.
“Even if I have a match where I am not at my best, he will always act quickly to help me find out what’s wrong. He’ll help you out with any advice he can to make sure that by the time the next match comes around, you’re on it.”
Pressure has also mounted on Clough, top of the Wanderers’ scoring charts with eight goals but still learning a new position on the left side of attack.
Injuries have been a prohibitive factor in his development thus far but Parkinson’s medical and sports science team now appear to have helped Clough conquer the worst.
The 21-year-old has also forged a good relationship with his manager, who has helped him negotiate some of the pitfalls of a young footballer’s career – especially smack bang in the middle of a transfer window.
Clough’s aim between now and May is to ensure the walk into the stadium on match-day is even more enjoyable next season, hopefully in preparation for Championship football.
“My aim is to stay fit between now and the end of the season and show the Bolton fans what I can really do when I am at the top of my game,” he recently told the club.
“There is a lot of pressure on us to bounce back to the Championship this season but, as a team, it was always our collective aim too. And we’ll be giving everything we can to achieve that goal.”
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