Bolton's Marathon Men

Article by e-Bolton Correspondent Adam Brabbin

Not every race is run over the course a matter of seconds, neither is success instantaneous nor easy. The most gratifying accomplishments are achieved through persistent hard work and from persevering where others might fold. Bolton Wanderers find themselves once more in a position of missed opportunity as the season draws to a close. Like last year, Bolton are recently riding on the crest of a wave of form that, whilst entertaining, leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans who bemoan the teams inability to find consistency throughout an entire season. In May of 2013 the failure to break into a playoff position was satiated marginally by the thought that an impressive showing in the dying throws of the season would be continued into the new term. Whilst this ultimately proved not to be the case, the similarity in circumstances that the Wanderers now find themselves in leave many fans wondering if such a resounding belly-flop of a year could be repeated once again. 'Fool me once, shame on you...' can we expect any more than what we are delivered?

The London marathon rolled around once again this weekend, showing people of all ages and ability putting to use the training and hours of early mornings amassed in order to push their bodies into doing something they wouldn't normally be able. They have prepared themselves both physically and mentally so that they are capable of running the distance and this sort of achievement doesn't just happen over night.

Bolton are running a marathon of their own. They are building up their endurance and equipping themselves with the necessary tools in order to mount an attack on the league that will be sustained more than these bursts of form that we have seen in recent years. Freedman, much like the runner who must sacrifice sleep, comfort and weekends down the pub in order to reach their goal, is making his own sacrifices so that Bolton take on a leaner, more striking physique. The luxury, high wage players are being cut out. Players with proven track records at Championship level are filling the spaces left by the stars that used to provide Bolton fans with a window in which to look back at the former years of Premier league glitz and glory. Bolton are being molded to the shape that Freedman sees fit to endure a race, but this is no sprint, it is a marathon. Any marathon runner will tell you that training is arduous and at times it feels that success is hardly worth the hell endured on early morning runs and politely declined seconds around the dinner table on a Sunday night. It would be easy to quit, quitting is quicker and in terms of instant relief cancelling plans and quitting on commitments is like heroin. Similarly it would be easy to say that Freedman isn't cutting it, and that something should be done. It's too hard, right? Wrong. See the bigger picture, imagine the finishing line, keep on running. Foot after foot, breath and keep going. Bolton might not have gained promotion this year, but to quit now would be like going on the lash the night before the race, all the work, all the pain, for nothing. Success will come and it will be all the more satisfying for having worked so hard to achieve it.

Freedman's team is looking like a realistic contender for promotion next campaign. With a few shrewd signings over the summer Bolton fans could get to experience the sort of success they have witnessed over the last month for an entire season, all thanks to the work that is being conducted now.

In terms of serious perseverance, spare a thought for Cliff Young, an Australian potato farmer who, at the age of 61, took on the ultimate 'tortoise and the hare' mentality in order to win the Sydney to Melbourne Ultra-Marathon in 1983. While others slept, Cliff ran for 5 days non stop in a shuffle across the country proving once and for all that slow and steady wins the race. Bolton might not be sprinting towards the premier league, but a shuffle is as good as any way to find yourself tasting success in the long term.

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