Don't take your eye off the ball, Rigby and Tetlow are back

The BWFCST fully recognises and appreciates that sport is quite justifiably some way down many people’s agenda during this public health emergency, and our thoughts continue to go out to all those affected in so many different ways.
 
We make no excuse, however, for taking this opportunity to highlight that football is clearly not immune to the problems, pressures and uncertain future that all businesses are currently facing, and that is why we are in contact with the club to see how we can best assist in helping to successfully negotiate a route through this current crisis.
 
It is no exaggeration to assert that professional football in the UK is facing a huge crisis, and that this is felt most acutely at the lower levels of the English league where revenue streams have dried up but outgoings remain. With financial advances from the EFL likely to have been fully used by the end of April and the spectre of player contracts being extended beyond the end of June should the current season be extended, lower league clubs face the realistic prospect of potentially going out of business.
 
Given the well documented financial issues afflicting Bolton Wanderers over recent years, and despite the tentative rebuilding steps taken this season, it is highly probable that the club remains particularly vulnerable at this time of crisis and arguably faces threats to its existence every bit as great as those faced last summer.
 
It is at times of adversity like this that clubs in general, and Wanderers in particular, could benefit most from an independent and supportive Supporters’ Trust that is representative of the vast majority of supporters. This last point is key, as a Trust with a membership that comprises the majority of supporters will be in a position to better exert influence with the club’s hierarchy.
 
New Trust Board member Robin Fletcher summed it up well when he said “I believe the Trust is the best vehicle for supporters to safeguard the long term future of the club. Furthermore, the more members the Trust has, the more influence it can bring to bear.”
 
As a reminder, the Trust is legally registered and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a democratic, not for profit organisation with an independent election process overseen by Civica, an independent advisor on elections. It has a suite of internal governance policies to ensure it complies with best operating practices, is financially solvent and is affiliated to the national Football Supporters Association. Its professional organisation and operating practices put it in a good position to engage in structured dialogue with the club owners as required by EFL regulations as well as to undertake effective liaison with other national football related bodies.
 
We are pleased to report that following the recent 2020 elections we have welcomed four new additions to the Board in Robin Fletcher, Paul Wood, Sue Higson and Will Jones. This greatly enhances the diversity of the Board both in terms of gender and age range and this will create a fresh dynamic in terms of views and approach as we move forward, complementing the remaining 3 Board members and the 2 recently co-opted members, Maggie Tetlow and Terence Rigby (Chair) who will provide much needed continuity at this time of change.
 
The four new Board members will each bring their individual skills and attributes to the Board, but the one thing they all have in common is that they are regular, longstanding supporters who wish to make a positive contribution to the long term survival of the club they all love. 
 
Some were formerly members of the Trust’s Strategy Group, which is a wider group of Trust members who work alongside the Board, providing a valuable insight into the role of Board members which no doubt informed their decision to put themselves forward for election. Any Trust member who wishes to attend Strategy Group meetings would be very welcome and should register their interest to enquiries@bwfcst.co.uk or via direct message on the various Trust social media channels.
 
Once again, however, while a fully compliant election process was undertaken, there was no requirement for a ballot process as only four members opted to put their names forward for election, and this points to a larger issue the Trust faces. While Trust membership can be secured for a one-off administration fee of £10.00, the more new members we can enlist, the stronger the supporter voice and influence, which is of utmost importance considering the very real threats that we have faced, and continue to face, regarding the club’s very existence.
 
Notwithstanding that there will be some supporters unable or unwilling to spend £10.00, the Trust recognises that there are many other affiliations within the wider Wanderers fan base, all comprising loyal fans with the best interests of the club at heart. It is important to stress that membership of the Trust is not mutually exclusive to belonging to other Wanderers related groups, as evidenced by new Board member Will Jones who has also been a prominent member of the Lion of Vienna group. The Trust isn’t positioned to compete against other fan groups as all have their vital role to play in all things Wanderers, but all fans concerned about the long term future of the club should consider becoming Trust members alongside their other affiliations, as many have already done. 
 
Granted there are much more important issues in the world today, but if you love your football club, please don’t take your eye off the ball. These are concerning times, and there is a choice to stand by and simply watch events unfold, or commit to at least trying to influence things for the better.
 
In the meantime, stay safe, stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
 
BWFCST Board                                                                                                                    14 April 2020