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Buoyed by the arrival of new ownership and new management, there is an undeniable eagerness to turn a page in an unhappy chapter in the Bolton Wanderers history books.
A year ago, former Whites owner Ken Anderson was locked in a battle with finance company BluMarble over a £4.8million loan and the potential of being placed into administration.
The club escaped – we now know with the help of a bridging loan from Eddie Davies completed just days before he sadly passed away – but the instability caused by Anderson’s brinkmanship set in motion a chain of events which did, in fact, end with administration and many more problems to boot.
When new boss Keith Hill sat down to speak with the media last week he talked of making a fresh start and letting the past lie. Even the subject of points deductions was pushed to one side as the manager looked to focus solely on his team and the fixtures that lie ahead.
However well Football Ventures, Hill and David Flitcroft channel their infectious positivity, it is impractical to think all of the club’s past issues can be swept under the carpet. And one of the first which may be addressed is the complex relationship between the fans and players who were here last season.
Although some of the younger professionals were in the building, the focus has fallen on senior pros Ben Alnwick, Remi Matthews, Jason Lowe, Luke Murphy and Will Buckley and what lasting effect months of wage worries may have on their game.
Though many supporters expressed sympathy with the players during months of wage worries – there are some who still feel aggrieved with the strike action which was taken in April and August, and that too threatens to cast a shadow on the club’s perceived fresh start.
Buckley may face the toughest task of all the group mentioned – but will be lifted by the fact he enjoyed the most prolific spell in his career under Hill and Flitcroft as a youngster at Rochdale.
In 67 games at Spotland, the winger scored 14 times and provided 10 assists, numbers that were only challenged when he linked up with his other big mentor, Gustavo Poyet, at Sunderland a few years later.
It is fair to say Wanderers have not yet seen the Buckley of old. His work under Phil Parkinson as a Championship player was geared more towards his running power than goal-getting. More than most, his confidence seemed affected last term.
Buckley is now talking confidently of his Bolton future, now secured on a short-term contract after several weeks watching and waiting for an opportunity.
“It’s good to be back training and getting back into that competitive environment again is something I have missed,” he said. “It has been the longest summer of my life, to be honest.
“Watching the games and the atmosphere that has been going on. I am buzzing to get back involved now.
“This was always on my mind to try and come back but with the situation that was going on it turned into a lot longer process than I’d planned on it being.
“It’s all behind me now and we’re just looking forward to getting going and getting some game time.
“Now the new manager has come in it’s all systems go. It’s a bit of a mad rush to make sure we’re ready.
“I am glad to be back. I’m local to the area and I know how much it means to the fans. Hopefully we can pick up to where we need to be.”
Grudges have a habit of fading in football. Wanderers found that out three years ago when many members of a team which had been lambasted for their relegation from the Championship were embraced in a promotion season.
If Buckley and Co can contribute to the survival bid Hill claims is still possible, then maybe the past can stay in the past?
Source
A year ago, former Whites owner Ken Anderson was locked in a battle with finance company BluMarble over a £4.8million loan and the potential of being placed into administration.
The club escaped – we now know with the help of a bridging loan from Eddie Davies completed just days before he sadly passed away – but the instability caused by Anderson’s brinkmanship set in motion a chain of events which did, in fact, end with administration and many more problems to boot.
When new boss Keith Hill sat down to speak with the media last week he talked of making a fresh start and letting the past lie. Even the subject of points deductions was pushed to one side as the manager looked to focus solely on his team and the fixtures that lie ahead.
However well Football Ventures, Hill and David Flitcroft channel their infectious positivity, it is impractical to think all of the club’s past issues can be swept under the carpet. And one of the first which may be addressed is the complex relationship between the fans and players who were here last season.
Although some of the younger professionals were in the building, the focus has fallen on senior pros Ben Alnwick, Remi Matthews, Jason Lowe, Luke Murphy and Will Buckley and what lasting effect months of wage worries may have on their game.
Though many supporters expressed sympathy with the players during months of wage worries – there are some who still feel aggrieved with the strike action which was taken in April and August, and that too threatens to cast a shadow on the club’s perceived fresh start.
Buckley may face the toughest task of all the group mentioned – but will be lifted by the fact he enjoyed the most prolific spell in his career under Hill and Flitcroft as a youngster at Rochdale.
In 67 games at Spotland, the winger scored 14 times and provided 10 assists, numbers that were only challenged when he linked up with his other big mentor, Gustavo Poyet, at Sunderland a few years later.
It is fair to say Wanderers have not yet seen the Buckley of old. His work under Phil Parkinson as a Championship player was geared more towards his running power than goal-getting. More than most, his confidence seemed affected last term.
Buckley is now talking confidently of his Bolton future, now secured on a short-term contract after several weeks watching and waiting for an opportunity.
“It’s good to be back training and getting back into that competitive environment again is something I have missed,” he said. “It has been the longest summer of my life, to be honest.
“Watching the games and the atmosphere that has been going on. I am buzzing to get back involved now.
“This was always on my mind to try and come back but with the situation that was going on it turned into a lot longer process than I’d planned on it being.
“It’s all behind me now and we’re just looking forward to getting going and getting some game time.
“Now the new manager has come in it’s all systems go. It’s a bit of a mad rush to make sure we’re ready.
“I am glad to be back. I’m local to the area and I know how much it means to the fans. Hopefully we can pick up to where we need to be.”
Grudges have a habit of fading in football. Wanderers found that out three years ago when many members of a team which had been lambasted for their relegation from the Championship were embraced in a promotion season.
If Buckley and Co can contribute to the survival bid Hill claims is still possible, then maybe the past can stay in the past?
Source