Just reading a nightmare piece on Leeds and their borrowing spiral back in 1999 and the few years thereafter. Without a financial backer and limitations with their bankers, they turned to Ray Ranson (ex Man City player) who found a unique, new way to finance player purchases. For each player bought, he found a separate lender for a type of lease back facility, backed by an insurance policy over the term of that players contract. Once they were up to their necks in this, they then brought in a finance whizz named Stephen Schechter who arranged further borrowing for player purchases against future season ticket sales. Whilst Leeds were relatively successful for a short period, this worked but when they then failed to qualify for the lucrative Champions League, the escalating debt became a millstone around their neck that they were unable to service. In the meantime, players salaries had shot through the roof, adding to their woes. They were on a downward curve, were relegated from the PL and ended up selling Elland Road. Absolutely mind boggling stuff and shows the lengths folk will go to in an attempt to gain success. Obviously, the fans would have been unaware of the behind-the-scenes activities. This sort of stuff always comes out once the sh1t has well and truly hit the fan.

Whilst the EFL/PL need to up their act with regard to the fit and proper test, the financial problems faced by both Bury and Bolton are of their own making and they need to look at themselves in the mirror and accept a level of responsibility. A football club is a business and should be run on the same principles as those of a corner shop or a local garage. There is only so long a club can keep sustaining losses before the bank and/or the major shareholders say enough is enough and turn off the money tap. There can’t be many clubs, these days, that register a profit outside some of the Premier League clubs. It’s a reasonably simple concept of having to either increase revenue or cut costs to get on an even keel but, in practice, it’s virtually impossible to do. When we struggled in the 70s and 80s, we cut our cloth accordingly. The Chairman, virtually without exception, was a local businessman who dipped his hands into his pockets once in a while to help out. Players were bought within a budget based on attendances and other players were sold on for a profit wherever possible. We, along with around 85% of the entire football league were a selling club. The major problem in football today is the obscene amount of wages paid to the Premier League players which filters down to the Championship and beyond. Football is awash with money like never before but instead of essentially going to the clubs, it ends up in the back pockets of the players instead of moving down the pyramid as far as grass roots levels. Unfortunately, only twenty teams enjoy the gravy train but the others aspire to reach that level and stretch themselves financially far beyond their capabilities. Hence, the Burys and Boltons. You could probably add the Coventrys, the Blackburns and several others bubbling under the surface that we are yet to hear about. In my opinion, if there isn’t to be a fairer distribution of tv monies, there has to be some sort of salary cap introduced to put an end to this wages obscenity. The Rugby League salary cap works to a degree but holds back certain clubs that are wanting to progress. Whilst in Rugby League, each club in Super League has the same amount of cap, I think it would only be fair in football to have it based on say turnover or average attendances on a pro rata basis. It won’t be easy orchestrating this but, if wages continue to spiral like they do, I can see plenty more teams potentially going to the wall.

Not sure how much Bury are in debt but it seems a figure of around £2m is being banded about as being initially required to keep the club’s head above water. Thereafter, the additional debt would have to be structured accordingly by any incoming owner. With there being twenty clubs in the Premier League, that’s a paltry £100k each to dip into their pockets and keep Bury FC afloat. Absolute peanuts and as money very clearly does not filter down to the lower leagues as it should, it ought to be a given that the PL clubs help out. Bury was my first away game back in 1967. Rovers won 2-1 in front of over 15k. How Bury would wish for those sort of gates nowadays. Never going to happen of course but let’s hope they pull through this evening.

Up to 19th as it stands..oh sh1t, I’m having a nose bleed..

Tomkins has been suspended for three games and McIlorum for two after their part in the end of game rumpus. Both were also fined £500. Haven’t really seen any proper footage of the crowd trouble although it does surface from time to time, sometimes at Challenge Cup Semi Finals, Grand Finals or one or two other high profile games where supporters have been on the lash all day. On the Warrington RL Fans forum, they seem to be blaming a mix of both sets of fans in corporate above and behind the Wire supporters with objects having been thrown around. That’s only one side of the story though. An investigation is currently underway and no doubt hefty fines for both clubs will follow. It’s definitely not wanted in Rugby League.

You’re right, John. I purposely haven’t mentioned the defence as it’s been done to death. I didn’t know our back four until the team was announced just before kick off but, suffice to say, it was a wtf moment.

Pretty much as I see it, DE. One of them (Brereton) will struggle to get on the pitch, other than bit parts and I think Gallagher will go the same way if he doesn’t shape himself very shortly. I haven’t really seen anything to suggest either of them will be a success. For a club in our financial predicament to spend that sort of money on ‘bit’ players, as you say ARA, is madness.

Spot on gumboots. If VAR was applied exactly as it is in Rugby League, there wouldn’t be a problem.

Yes, a fascinating and disturbing account of what has gone on at BWFC over the last few years. The regulars on here, especially those that kept an ear close to the ground following Venky’s takeover, will recognise many parallels. Reading the ‘CV’ of Ken Anderson makes frightening reading. How a person of his ‘capabilities’ was allowed in to Bolton by the governing bodies is anyone’s guess. Scratch under the surface of many clubs outside (and some inside) the Premier League and you will no doubt find this sort of thing. An endless array of useless nobodies, all wanting their pieces of silver, all wanting their snouts to be well and truly in the trough. If you have fifteen or so minutes to spare, read the article. It’s well worth it.

Very sad indeed and at only 59, taken far too early. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Kevin and thanks for the memories.

Not sure if it’s been posted on here but just seen on Twitter (yes, I know..) that the deal for the City defender on loan has stalled. We are turning our attention to signing Robin Bormuth, a central defender with Fortuna Düsseldorf in the Bundesliga.

The boundaries of the county of Lancashire remain exactly as they always have. Administrative Areas were created in 1974, ie. Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. See www.forl.co.uk To start advertising our presence in Bolton, at this moment in time, would be an act of gross stupidity and make us less than popular, not only in Bolton but in the wider football world.

My lad and his mates outside Ibrox earlier today.

Rovers 2 Charlton 0 Att 12,788

The Tower is as yet an unused nuclear missile. Any more of that and we’ll press the red button.

Listen Vinjay, Blackburn is actually known as Darwen North. All Darreners are aware of this lol.

There’s a great book by Keith Dewhurst titled Underdogs. Darwen FC are the central figures and their early FA Cup exploits but the book also tells how football developed from games in the Darwen and Penistone (nr Barnsley) districts. They used to have ‘goals’ down at the Boundary, probably just two trees. The other goals were up at Bull Hill and there were around 50 a side with games lasting all day. The forerunner of the modern game. Before the Football League was formed, Darwen and Turton were two of our areas biggest teams. Rovers and Bolton hadn’t really got going. There was an account of 500 Darwen fans travelling to Turton by train. One of the first football specials lol. Great reading, especially if you’re from Darwen as there are many references to the town and its mill owners and other buildings etc. I’ve lent the book to someone and never got it back. Trouble is, I can’t remember who. It’s still available on Amazon.

Superb. Best away kit for years other than the red and black halves. I have mentioned elsewhere that not enough clubs utilise green for some reason. A bit of green to debut the kit at Ibrox. Couldn’t be better.

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There are actually four Matty! Witton Albion, Northwich Victoria, 1874 Northwich and Barnton. Technically Barnton is a separate village but it’s tagged on to the Winnington area of Northwich where I live. Northwich Vics were a top non league set up in the 60s and 70s and, like Witton, had a ground more or less in the town centre. Sold to developers, both clubs relocated to the edge of town and Vics’ new ground was very impressive. Unfortunately, they fell on hard times for a number of reasons and had to sell this new ground to pay off debts. 1874 Northwich were formed from the ashes as certain supporters refused to follow Vics because of the actions of the former owners. Vics play at Witton Albion’s ground whilst 1874 were playing at Winsford’s ground last time I checked. The population of Northwich was around 20k a few years ago but is growing fast. It’s probably 23k or 24k now. There are also several large villages within two or three miles, which create a sort of ‘Greater Northwich’ taking the population to around 40k or more. So a bit bigger than Clitheroe.

First game of the season for me tonight, a friendly, Witton Albion 0 Crewe 3. The first half was very even with little between the two teams. Crewe seemed to move up a gear in the second half and the gulf in the respective leagues showed as the Albion noticeably tired, especially in the last twenty minutes. Witton are tier seven, Northern Premier League, Premier. Same as Bamber Bridge and FC United of Manchester. Crewe is 15 miles south of Northwich, a few of their fans attended but not too many in a crowd of just over 300.

Never really been in to cricket although I have been to Old Trafford v the Aussies in the Botham era. What a game though today. I was a bag of nerves during the last hour and a half. When Stokes got lucky with the ricochet, I said it was fate. Well done England and a great advert for the sport.

I was on a Facebook football page recently TS when Dougie featured in an early 60s England team picture. I remarked that he was an Ewood legend. A guy replied that he had seen Rovers beat Everton at Goodison around that time and Dougie absolutely ran the show. It would have been either 1963-64 when we beat them 4-2 or 1964-65 when we won 3-2. At the end of the game, both teams formed a guard of honour for Dougie as he left the pitch. Not very often that that sort of thing is witnessed and showed just what his fellow professionals thought of him.

Probably just me and most from my generation (when admittedly things were a lot simpler) but I didn’t need a poster on a Preston bus shelter, a splash in the local rag, frozen prices, credit incentives or signing exciting players to get down to Ewood and buy my season ticket. I just did it. Every season from 1973 to 2015 and from 1966 to 1973, I happily paid cash at the turnstile on the day. I never stopped to think about doing anything else. Ever.

And major honours won, of course. Our 10 (ten) to their paltry 3 (three ffs) and that ain’t gonna change.