Yesterday, following a report from The Sun and later The Bolton News, Wanderers fans went into overdrive as it came to light that a group of Chinese investors have shown interest in buying Bolton Wanderers.
Not only that but the Shandong Luneng group are believed to be targeting Sam Allardyce for a surprise return to the Trotters.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The Shandong Luneng group are part of a larger company which just happens to be one of the biggest electrical power companies in China. They also own the Chinese Super League team Shandong Luneng Taishan, who recently signed Marouane Fellaini from Manchester United.
The move is supposedly being orchestrated by Mark Taylor, the former head of sports science at the Reebok under Big Sam, a key man in the former manager’s notorious ‘war room.’
(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
It is understood that the group of investors are looking to bid for the club once it enters administration, an eventuality expected within the next week.
While starting next season in League One on -12 points will be far from ideal, doing so with the financial backing of wealthy owners and the small possibility of a Big Sam return is something many Bolton fans find acceptable, to say the least.
For many, the story is far too good to be true…
I don't believe the China/Big Sam story for a moment due to the fact it would involve some actual good news #bwfc
— Alex Robinson (@LordOfDoughnuts) May 10, 2019
If the Chinese consortium and big Sam connection is just a rumour then at least it’s put a smile on my face, even if it’s temporary- that’s much more than I’ve had from #bwfc all year !
— Chris McKeown (@TheChrisMcKeown) May 10, 2019
All this talk of Shandong Luneng takeover of #BWFC has my hopes on the rise and my heart on the verge of breaking point, ready and waiting for disappointment to smash it to pulp
— Matthew (@MattMuttWrites) May 10, 2019
Meanwhile, other fans are hopeful of a bright future under potential new ownership.
Big Sam’s super-rich Chinese billionaire army #bwfc
— Matt Meacher (@MattMeacher) May 10, 2019
the Reebok is full, you glance to the dugout and see Big Sam, A chicken chow mien, and a pint of wine as Anelka scores his second as we beat Liverpool to regain top of the league.
Premier league 2024, were coming for you. #BWFC
— #BWFC (@Bwfc12341) May 10, 2019
Coming soon to the @BoltonUni stadium. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/j2c7n0FWlT
— Leeds_Trotter (@mini0mk) May 10, 2019
However, if the interest from the Chinese investors fails to materialise into anything concrete, the future could be a bleak one for Wanderers.
Nice thought but we all know it will be a consortium led by Bassini & Smurthwaite who appoint Ken Anderson as Life President, Lee Anderson as Director of Football and Jonathan Grounds as player manager. #bwfc
— BWFC Fan (@BWFC_Fan_) May 10, 2019
Of course, the reported interest in the club should be taken with a pinch of salt or several.
With all that’s happened to Bolton in recent years, positive news like this is almost certainly too good to be true. However, one thing it has succeeded in doing is offering a ray of hope for fans who have endured a torrid time of late.