The announcement from Bolton Wanderers this week regarding their sponsorship has the potential to breathe further life into the fan movements that are happening across the country, seeking to change the way the game is run.
Having struck a deal with the pay-day short-term money lending company QuickQuid in May to see the company become the shirt sponsor of the club, Bolton this week backtracked on that decision in the face of fan reaction.
A new deal was agreed with local energy company FibrLec to take over the responsibility of shirt sponsorship, in what can be seen as a success for fan involvement.
A petition had been signed and supporters, as well as politicians, had expressed their concerns and feelings toward the sponsorship to the club. On the back of this, the club felt it had no choice but to cancel the deal with QuickQuid and look elsewhere.
There was recent outcry when Wonga, already sponsors of Blackpool, were announced as the shirt sponsor of Newcastle United from 2013-14, but the way things have progressed in Bolton seems to emphasise that if enough supporters join together, they can make a difference.
Last season saw a big progression in supporter groups with a number of examples of campaigns gaining momentum, in particular the safe standing and ‘Twenty is Plenty’ campaign, which is calling for a £20 maximum cost for away tickets at football grounds.
These will undoubtedly be strengthened by the reaction at Bolton and leaves open the potential for further change.
Whilst it may have seemed like nothing would change, particularly in sections of the media off the back of the £62 ticket cost for the Arsenal v Manchester City match, there is now the possibility that fans voices could be heard.
Of course, this support will be improved by more people becoming vocal and increasing the number of campaigners and this can be used as the springboard for this. It shows that fans don’t have to resign themselves to never being heard, and can lead to greater things.
In the midst of this, it must be noted that Bolton Wanderers deserve some credit for actually listening to their fan base. After all, they didn’t have to and arguably there would be some that wouldn’t. But when the threat of dissent and protest arises, it would seem Bolton realised that the fans are important to what they are doing and so could not risk potentially losing a big number of them.
Who knows what will come of this, maybe nothing at all, but it is good as a football supporter to know that the possibility is there for change if we come together against something.
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Definitely a step in the right direction, not just in football terms, people need to speak up & be heard!!!