Chairman Ken Anderson addresses the club's supporters on bwfc.co.uk
Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace in the Emirates FA Cup epitomised just how far this squad has come in what is a relatively short space of time.
That we held our own against Premier League opponents, and on another day could have won the contest, illustrates what talented coaching and playing staff we have at the club.
And what an amazing tie we have in prospect if we manage to win at Selhurst Park! Manchester City at Macron Stadium is the glamour tie that we were all hoping for.
I hope as many of us as possible travel down to London next week to show our tremendous support and help Phil Parkinson and the team achieve victory.
I have no doubt that the game against City would be a sell-out, which will represent a fantastic financial opportunity for the club.
Macron Stadium has become a fortress where teams do not look forward to visiting. That is in no small part down to you, our supporters, who have helped to generate a tremendous atmosphere at our home.
The manager and players are grateful for your support and it is crucial that we build on this for the remainder of the season.
As a Club, we are continually looking at ways to reward our loyal supporters and later this week, we will be announcing our Super 7 ticket offer which will enable supporters to purchase tickets for the final seven Sky Bet League One fixtures at a very good value price.
This will be on the back of the successful half season ticket campaign which saw over 300 people purchase them over the last couple of months.
I want us to populate Fortress Macron Stadium with our very own Super White Army, and to continue to make it a cauldron of noise which intimidates our opponents while motivating our own players to continue their charge for promotion.
Our attendances have grown throughout the season and long may this continue.
People tell me that the atmosphere against Scunthorpe United on New Year’s Eve was the greatest they experienced for many a year. It would be fantastic if this was the case for every game between now and April 30 which could play a big part in getting us over the line.
I was surprised meanwhile to hear comments made by Big Sam regarding the crowd figure at the weekend. The atmosphere was great throughout the tie and both sets of supporters played their part in that.
Our attendance more then held its own compared to some of the Third Round FA Cup crowds we have hosted since we moved to this stadium in 1997. One could look back at our FA Cup third round fixture against Sunderland back in 2003 when we had a crowd of 10,123 in attendance.
Like I mentioned above, we are pleased with our growing crowds and the passion displayed by our fans.
Our Community Trust meanwhile continues to work diligently around the town and they have resumed their football training courses for all ages and abilities. Please visit www.bwct.org.uk to find out more information about their sterling work.
Congratulations also go out to Gary Madine for winning the PFA Fans' Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award for December. Gary has worked very hard this season and has earned this deserved accolade.
This means that a Bolton Wanderers player has won this award every month since the beginning of the season. Again, this is a glowing testimony to the progress we are continuing to make.
I had the pleasure of meeting representatives from some of the various fan websites and blogs last weekend. We had a detailed discussion about how we can all work together going forward to ensure that communication between the club and our fans remains the best it can be.
Ahead of Saturday’s game against Swindon meanwhile, I will be meeting with the Supporters’ Trust and Supporters’ Association. As I have said from day one, I want to be open and honest with our fans and I will always try to make myself available.
I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday for another crucial league fixture against Swindon Town.
Let’s be loud, let’s be proud and let’s get behind the team.
Kind regards,
Ken