I WAS surprised that a fan, who like myself, has been watching Bolton for 30 years, said in last week's Fans' Forum that he was more depressed than ever.

Last season was our highest finish since 1962.

At the beginning of February 30 years ago we were playing Grimsby at home in front of 16,000 in the old Division Three.

Twenty years ago we lost at home to Fulham in front of 6,700 and at the end of the season we finished bottom of Division Two.

Fifteen years ago we were at home to Hereford in Division Four in front of just 4,559 and 10 years ago we lost at home to Brighton in Divison Two (the old Divison Three).

The debt is a problem but many clubs are in a worse position.

The hotel may have added to the overall debt but it did bring in income in its first full year of operation.

We need sources of income other than from football.

Much of the debt has arisen because for most of the last few years more money has been spent on players, wages and running costs than has been brought in. For example the club gambled on getting promotion and staying up which is exactly what many fans asked for.

We are now one of the top 20 teams in the country. We have world class players and are playing in front of 25,000 in a fantastic stadium.

The only problem is that too many fans sit at home and moan rather than getting behind the team.

Mike Clarkson

Lostock