Love and Pride

I've read a lot of things on the forum in the last few weeks, a lot of salient points and a lot of rubbish too. Now those who have read my stuff in the past know that while I don't post often, when I do I try to be both reasoned and even handed. Well this is going to be different.
I'm not going to try to formulate a well thought out argument or try to start a debate, I'm not going to be logical or demonstrate reason. Quite the opposite in fact.

When I first started watching Bolton we were in the doldrums. I remember going with my dad to Grimsby away on a wet Tuesday night. I recall sitting in the Manny Rd. watching us get trounced on a regular basis while we got rained on, bemoaning the fact we had only seven thousand fellow supporters in the stadium with us and seemingly very little to look forward to on the horizon. I remember my first away game without my dad, 15 years old and going to the glamour of Edgely park only to be beaten up on the way to the train station by four "men" in their twenties. Through all this I never thought to stop supporting my team.
As I got older, Wanderers' fortunes took a steady upturn. Numerous Wembley appearances and promotions brought more fans and investment, trips to the Millennium Stadium and Play-off excitement brought the prospect we were finally going places, buying exciting, better quality players and then there's the move away from Burnden Park. Bitter sweet for me being that it was the home of some of my best memories, but I'd have never had the absolute best one without that final night there. A night that any Wanderer present at the time will never forget. We cried, laughed danced and sung our hearts out. that night was truly the night I knew I would never ever ever lose the love I have for Bolton Wanderers or my fellow fans.

After the move, the Allardyce era. Promotion again and this time consolidation. More, even better players the likes I'd never dream we'd see, including the greatest I've ever seen in a white shirt , Augustin J.J (so good they named him twice) Okocha. In this era I married, had a child and got divorced but even with all that, Wanderers and the camaraderie got me through the tough stuff.
Europe, and then He Who Shall Not Be Named. Even with him there I didn't desert the club.
And I'm still here now.
I like Owen Coyle. I revered him as a player, I want him as our manager. I think those calling for his head are barmy personally but the fans who really fill my hump of hate, are those I hear saying that they want us to lose games so that Coyle gets the sack. Disgusting. I could no more hope for a Bolton loss than I could for my head to drop off, and if you have said that then you should be ashamed to call yourself a supporter. In the same way, I couldn't boo a player in a BWFC shirt any more than I wouldn't be able to cheer a Bolton goal.

But here's my real point I guess. Yes the game now is all about money, but I've never lost sight of the fact that in the end; if the glamour of the premier league fell away and we were left having to sell players, I'd still be here. I was here when we were nowhere and I will be when we're back there. I'm a fan of BWFC first and foremost. Without those long dark days I'd never have had the ecstasy of the good times. A lot of people I see posting on here claim vociferously to be die-hards but answer me this, How many of you will be here when eventually the worst does happen? When the money's gone and our best players with it? I read some posters regularly enough to know they won't be.

As I said at the start, This wasn't meant to be reasoned or logical. I don't have to sign off from here wondering if I've been balanced or made valid points because this is about a passion. For BWFC and for football. If you love them like I do then do me a favour, put your white and blue heart on your sleeve and remember why you're a Wanderer. Then get behind them and will them on like a true supporter should. Go and sing for the lads. Let them know that the club they play for is loved by us and that they carry all of our love and pride whenever they pull on a Wanderers shirt. A love and Pride that means whatever happens, as long as they've tried with their all, they will be respected as the club is by all of us.
At least then they will know how disappointing it will be if we remain in the position we're in now.Not because the club will lose money or turnover but because it hurts as a Wanderer to see us lose. It dents the pride but can never stop the love we have for the club.
Yours,
TheHateCamel.