I was extremely pleased to see three of our players Ben Alnwick, Mark Little and Sammy Ameobi named in the Championship Team of the Week for last weekend and I am sure that you will all agree with me when I say that they all thoroughly deserved their places.
Personally, l think there were several others who also deserved to be included - in particular Gary Madine - but as we all know, Gary battles away week in, week out without always getting the recognition that he deserves.
His time will come however, as l am sure it will for other members of the squad over the coming months, but for now let’s all be very pleased for those that were recognised last week as it was thoroughly deserved and l feel sure it is only the start of many more accolades to come.
Off the pitch, I have to say that the last few weeks have been some of the best and most enjoyable times for me at the club so far, as l have seen that all the hard work and efforts our staff have put in over the last 20 months starting to reap rewards and in turn, it is putting the club and Bolton Whites Hotel in a position to get back to where it once was.
Bringing Little Mix and The Killers concerts to Macron Stadium next summer is a major coup and just goes to show how far the club has come. Likewise, the hotel bringing in a seven figure contract as well just goes to show the progress that has been made and confirms that the confidence is returning in respect of the stability and future of both businesses generally.
As a result however the Ironman event hub – which is due to take place on the same weekend as the two concerts – will be moved from Macron Stadium to Queens Park. For more details on this, please visit The Bolton News’ website.
Please continue to support all the events that the club and hotel are hosting including the Aladdin pantomime which gets underway very soon.
Starring Bolton's very own Stu Francis, the panto will be a great opportunity to treat your family over Christmas while tickets can be bought here.
I have been quoted on my recent comments meanwhile about getting our missing supporters back and what this would achieve and l really hope that everyone will take these comments on board and take advantage of our Half Season Ticket offer.
I would encourage you all to take advantage of this so that you can come along to Macron Stadium and get behind the team for the second half of the season as the players bid to ensure we retain our Championship status.
This offer expires at the end of the month however, so please act quickly to avoid missing out by phoning Bolton Central on 0844 871 2932, visiting www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc or popping in store in person.
Off the pitch, this week has also seen more development going on up at our Lostock training base with the unveiling of our new gym, paid for by Bolton Wanderers Development Association Lotteries – details of which can be FOUND HERE - and also the arrival of our new Dome which will provide an alternative venue to train in for both our Academy youngsters and the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust.
The Dome itself was crucial to the Academy retaining its Category Two status and I would like to thank the BWDA for their financial and general support on this matter.
Their hard work and efforts have ultimately made all of this possible and it will reap benefits for both the football club and community for years to come.
Back to matters on the field, it was extremely pleasing to see us draw Premier League opposition in the form of Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup and the fact that it is a home game is a huge boost for us as we look to cause something of an upset.
I am very much looking forward to the game already and having listened to supporters’ comments regarding lowering our ticket prices, I have taken that on board and as a result, for a game against a top flight outfit, our prices will be £15 for adults and £5 for concessions across all areas of the ground.
On-sale dates for this game will be confirmed in due course.
I hope as many of you as possible will take advantage of this promotion and come along, get behind the team and help get us into the fourth round of this prestigious competition.
For the cup game, we will also be offering excellent rates for those wishing to take advantage of our award winning hospitality with places in the Platinum Suite just £60pp or £50 for members for a one-course meal, with our executive boxes available for just £650 for ten guests.
To take advantage of these offers, please contact our Sales Team on 01204 673 761.
Back to matters on the field meanwhile and we head down to Nottingham Forest this coming Saturday looking to build on our win over Barnsley which saw us rise out of the division’s bottom three.
Forest will certainly provide stern opposition, but we have been extremely unlucky in our past couple of away games not to pick up maximum points, Wolves aside, and I am confident that the first league victory on our travels will arrive sooner rather than later.
And with your superb backing which you showed in spades against Barnsley, there is no reason why that cannot happen this weekend.
Let’s be loud, let’s be proud and let’s get behind the team.
Kind regards,
Ken