POSITION: Football Secretary

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL: I'm responsible for all administrative aspects in relation to the football side of the business, which includes making sure that the club follows the FA Premier League regulations, the FA rules and regulations and liaising with those authorities regarding football matters. This includes things like players' contracts, transfers and disciplinary matters.

PREVIOUS CLUBS/JOBS: I was previously the club accountant at Bolton Wanderers and prior to that I was an accountant in a large photographic/marketing organisation who I joined from an accountancy firm in Manchester.

EXPERIENCE IN THE JOB: A large portion of the job is financially related, so my experience as an accountant has benefited me. I also gained a wealth of knowledge working alongside Des McBain, my predecessor. Des was the football secretary/chief executive at the club for over 20 years and his knowledge of the game was invaluable to me.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO BOLTON WANDERERS: I've been a supporter of the club since I was seven years old, so it wasn't a difficult decision to take up the position when it was offered to me. However, I find an interesting part of the job is having to separate my views from being an employee of the club to that of being a supporter as well. I've basically not got to let my heart rule my head.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR WANDERERS: I've been the honorary club historian since 1980 and became the club Accountant in 1993. This is my second season as Football Secretary.

IN WHAT WAYS, IF ANY, HAS YOUR JOB CHANGED: Promotion to the Premiership has brought some different rules to those that were imposed by the Football League. The administration of the game is now currently an ever changing one, We only need to look at what has been happening with the Bosman and EU situations to see that it takes a long time to get things resolved. Such things as work permit rules are amended annually so there is a continual need to adapt to change.

THE HIGH POINTS AND LOW POINTS DURING YOUR CAREER WITH THE WANDERERS: High -- our promotions to the Premier League have been very memorable to me from a supporter's and professional point of view. Also watching the Wanderers win the Third Division championship in 1973 as a youngster, the first trophy I saw the club win, was a fantastic memory. Thankfully there have been a few more since then!

Low -- Relegation to the Fourth Division in 1987 when we lost to Aldershot in a relegation play-off in extra-time at Burnden Park was without a doubt the lowest. Also losing three semi-finals the season before last was disappointing but it is a credit to Sam and the players that they bounced back to produce last season's magnificent promotion.

ANY FUNNY MOMENTS THAT STAND OUT: One in particular was when Tony Kelly was here. He had a reputation as being the club joker. One morning, a burnt-out car had been dumped on the Burnden Park forecourt. Tony popped into the offices and promptly shouted: "I see my club car has arrived then!"

DOES YOUR JOB/WORK LOAD CHANGE DURING THE SUMMER, WHEN THERE IS NO FOOTBALL: During the summer, once the season ends, it gives us a chance to catch up on things -- an opportunity to back-track. However this doesn't last too long because during the summer we have players' contracts to prepare and new players coming in. Then we get the new fixtures and all the preparation for the forthcoming season begins.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES BEING IN THE PREMIERSHIP MEAN TO YOU IN YOUR DEPARTMENT: Being in the Premiership means the club has a greater profile. The running of the football side of things will not change dramatically but the crowds and the preparation will be on a larger scale. Everybody connected with the club wants them to play at the highest level and achieve success. Everyone from the chairman down to the tea-lady is working to achieve that goal.