Bwfc_85 with another fine guest post!
Evening all. Thanks to Bwfc_85 for his fantastic guest post yesterday, he now has another!
Be careful what you wish for.
The so called ‘noughties` decade has been a largely blissful spell for Bolton Wanderers. Since being promoted to the Premier League in 2001, the Wanderers have reached a major cup final, owned and played against world-class footballers and pitted their wits against some of Europe`s greatest football teams. Oh, and they beat Manchester United away? twice? in consecutive seasons.
The latter end of our top flight stay, however, wasn`t so pleasurable. Fending off the spectre of relegation for several seasons, coupled with unwanted, inept- or both- managers saw the Whites` love affair with the Premier League tarnished. Until finally, on the 13th May 2012, Bolton`s marriage with the Barclays Premier League, with a ‘prenup` of parachute payments, was dissolved. Despite this unfortunate conclusion, both parties seemed to take the separation very well. The Barclays Premier League continued to thrive and found three new partners in Southampton, Reading and West Ham Utd. Plus, they still had their dirty, bit-on-the-side, QPR to keep them warm. Bolton Wanderers also moved onto pastures new with a surprising spring in their step. They stripped their self of minimal baggage and vowed to get back the love they once had within a 12 month period.
For a large part of the following season it seemed unlikely Bolton Wanderers would rekindle their relationship with the Premier League at the first attempt. In fact, up until a few weeks ago, it seemed the Whites would be in a battle to maintain their current relationship with their Championship rebound fling. But they have since found their feet and seem to be really enjoying the Championship`s company. Bolton struggled with their new beau at the beginning, sensing they were above their new partner, but since discovered a lot of common ground. So much, in fact, they really seem to be enjoying what the Championship has to offer. They spend a lot more time together, sometimes twice a week, and a lot of their get-togethers recently ended with a very enjoyable climax. Now, with Bolton making all the right moves, the Premier League-Bolton reconciliation looks a real possibility.
But should they?
Yes the Premier League is the glamorous, trophy-wife. She takes you to all the nicest venues, keeps you financially stable and brings you fame and exposure. Along with the highs however are the lows. The constant put-downs and psychological abuse from continual beatings, the meaningless corporate events she takes you to like Fulham at home on a Tuesday night and finally, and probably worst of all, the promise of never, NEVER being her favourite? or in her top 4. The fans of the battered partner seem desperate to reconcile and call for blood at the sheer sign of failure. But do they want to get back together for all the right reasons? If it`s for the financial stability, that is understandable; the £100m debt hangs heavily around their necks. But if it`s just for the publicity, that the Championship can`t offer, I would suggest they give it serious consideration.
The last two months being a Bolton supporter has been fantastic and would argue has been more enjoyable than being a mid-table or relegation threatened Premier League supporter. Yes, the glory of getting back into the Premier League is fantastic. But that`s glory that the Championship offers, not the Premier League. Yes there is a danger of becoming too comfortable with the Championship and ‘letting ourselves go`, but with the billions being pumped into the Premiership`s elite, the only glory the Premier League can offer a team like Bolton Wanderers nowadays is to be seen on her arm in public.