News broke overnight that Bolton had downgraded their academy status from the top (grade 1), down to grade 2, due to a cost cutting exercise.
This means that we can cut staff but more worryingly don't have to use as many coaching hours. Even more worryingly if a bigger club wants to nick any of our youth players the compensation we ask for is reduced.
See link below from LOVS - substantiated by the Bolton News' Mark Iles - who is doing some digging for the paper - their take on it should be up later today.
http://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/2015/6/10/8761711/breaking-bolton-wanderers-downgrade-academy-status
****as by way of an update. Mark Iles has his report below. It's not as bad as made out - still going to use infrastructure but will spend less on it and interesting point on Ipswich, (who will be possibly replacing us as grade 1 status).
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/13328157._/
Academy status downgraded - update 12/6/15
posted on 11/6/15
A bad move for sure but it shows what a complete mess Gartside and Eddie have made of the club.
I know fair play, rules also have an impact but this is a ridiculous state of affairs.The club are only just seeing the results of the investment in the Academy and now they are in part, dismantling it.
A few reduced fees for any of the youngsters, would show the folly of this decision. The club could sell one of our young players who is coming through the ranks and make up the shortfall. Now I'm not advocating that they do that but believe me, they way the club is going, all the young players that are coming through and progress, will be sold at some time in the future to prop up the club.
There is only one solution, Eddie Davies has to sell the club. Oh! Hang on a minute, he can't because no sane person is going to buy almost £200,000,000 of debt.
posted on 11/6/15
“I’ll show them said Phil always the same with that lot. You wait until the fog clears then they’ll see there are no icebergs anywhere near us”
Meanwhile on the I.O.M Eddie raises a fair point.
“Well at least Phil you counted the lifeboats and we have more than enough for everybody and to be doubly sure you have the fax of our insurance policy in back pocket”
posted on 11/6/15
That fax will haunt him till he goes to his grave.
I don't think I've been more depressed about the club, since the dark old days when part of the embankment was sold to the Co-Op.
I do still have hope but if the worst was to happen, it wouldn't be a complete surprise.
posted on 11/6/15
Just to add to my post. I remember going to quite a few games where you could almost count the supporters. Perhaps a couple of thousand die hard fans.
It was soul destroying. God help it never gets that bad again.
posted on 11/6/15
Disastrous move for our long term prospects. Cutting costs in the wrong place when people like Fat Phil are on massive six figure salaries for failing.I hope Eddie sells the club ASAP. Right now I think he's dragging us rapidly towards oblivion by leaving his buddy in charge and frankly I think this club would now be better off in other hands.
posted on 11/6/15
Just as younger players are starting to come through . Cutting costs in the wrong area. Maybe there is no future.
posted on 11/6/15
Think the term you are looking for Benny is "Armageddon".I predicted this mess four years ago remember.
posted on 11/6/15
It's a joke and nuns was right. What are the lotto numbers for 2019 mid-June?
posted on 13/6/15
Christ! Doom n gloom club are out again!
posted on 14/6/15
Not sure the positive club have an agenda this month. Or the next....