Many of you will know that I support Bolton Wanderers football club and our former centre half and most successful manager of modern times and club legend Sam Allardyce has just published his autobiography.
I have a signed copy "To Phil, Nottingham's number one Wanderers Fan - Sam Allardyce"
How I got the book signed is quite a story in itself. Tony, who sits in front of me in the stadium got it signed for me. His Mother in Law has a villa in Spain and Big Sam is one of her neighbours. So Tony has a connection to Big Sam's wife via his mother in law. Tony went to see Sam last weekend (Sam's family home is still in Bolton) and said if I got a book and gave it to him he would get it signed.
I didn't know Tony when I first moved into my seat back in the day, but you go from nodding terms to fellow Wanderers sufferers
When I say sufferers, Bolton Wanderers are on the brink of extinction, we have no money , unpaid tax bills, unpaid players are 'up for sale' and no one wants to buy us .
Administration beckons (a 12 point deduction and certain relegation based on the fact we are already bottom of the league) or worse still a winding up order from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs based on unpaid PAYE
I wonder what Big Sam thinks of the debacle at the club, his club. 8 years ago we were drawing 2-2 with a full strength Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.
Worst case scenario, somebody buys us and assets strips the ground / hotel / academy / training HQ and land !
I think I'll go and cry into my breakfast cereal (not being flippant....) Football, at any level, does seem to me to be a precarious game. But to be the number one fan of anything is certainly to be proud of, Phil.
What a pity about your glorious club, Phil. I remember them in my youth as being one of the popular clubs in the UK. At our yout club we had table soccer competitions and one of my friend had his team after Bolton Wanders. Happy for you that you got the signed copy of the book. BTW Stoke are riding high - they bet top league Manchester City a few days ago. I would have loved to be at my friend's restaurant in Gozo to watch the celebrations.
@quietpurplehaze thanks hazel for your kind offer, It's bad enough driving 240+ miles to watch Bolton at Bolton !!! My away matches are limited to East Midlands only. Bolton have never lost to a non league team, but this could be a first, unless the tie is forfeited as we are no longer a viable club :(
@sangwann thanks for your kind words Dione, we are founder members of the FA, four times FA Cup winners, a one town club with a great history, but that counts for nothing when you have no money :(
@annied a great heritage about to come to a murky end !
sad times
If you come, do call in for tea & cake (or something). We live 3 miles away!
@sangwann thanks for your kind words Dione, we are founder members of the FA, four times FA Cup winners, a one town club with a great history, but that counts for nothing when you have no money :(
@annied a great heritage about to come to a murky end !
@maggiemae thank you maggie , it will indeed
240+ miles - such dedication! I understand but if you get a sudden rush of blood to the head, the offer is still there!!!!!