Matt Scrafton's column: Passionate owners never more important than in our troubled times

From the Oystons at Blackpool, to Ken Anderson, Laurence Bassini and co at Bolton Wanderers and the Venky’s at Blackburn Rovers, there has been no shortage of bad luck for supporters.

A bit further afield, you only have to look at the likes of Bury, Oldham Athletic and Macclesfield Town, who have all had their own doses of financial strife.

Even Burnley, a club often considered as the blueprint for how to run a club sensibly, has become embroiled in behind-the-scenes spats between manager Sean Dyche and chairman Mike Garlick over a perceived lack of investment.

Is there just something in the water?

The latest victim is Wigan Athletic, who were – somewhat out of the blue – placed into administration last week.

The Latics’ insolvency, it seems, has little to do with the coronavirus pandemic and is more about the actions of a Hong Kong businessman.

Once again supporters are the victims and the ones left to pick up the pieces, Wigan’s seemingly inevitable Championship survival now left in tatters ,while the club’s best players and most promising up-and-coming talents can be cherrypicked by the waiting predators.

Questions have inevitably been asked of the EFL and the due diligence they carried out on those behind the new takeover.

While the organisation’s lack of intervention during Blackpool’s past civil war shows the vetting process up for what it really is, I’m not entirely sure what else the EFL could have done here.

Proof of funds had been checked and the money that had been promised would be paid into the club was forthcoming. Initially, anyway.

But who could have seen this latest development coming? It appears to be a case of the new owners taking their ball and setting off for home.

Unfortunately the EFL’s hierarchy aren’t mind-readers. They couldn’t have foreseen such an occurrence. In fact, none of us could, not even those with an ardent passion for the Latics.

The Owners’ and Directors’ Test certainly ought to be stricter. But even if it was, I’m not sure there were any red flags that would have stopped the takeover from happening.

Unfortunately EFL chairman Rick Parry was left a little red-faced last week when he was secretly caught on film discussing rumours relating to the club’s administration.

“There’s rumours that there’s a bet in the Philippines on them being relegated,” Parry is heard saying. “The previous owner has got gambling interests in the Philippines.”

The EFL were quick to issue a statement, confirming the footage was genuine.

It read: “While the chairman was unaware he was being filmed, he was happy to engage in the debate. He appreciates this is a concerning and challenging time for all those associated with the club.”

It wasn’t long ago, of course, that Wigan breezed through the divisions and subsequently won the FA Cup as a Premier League side thanks to the backing of Dave Whelan. A former footballer and a local businessman-done-good, Whelan was, for Wigan fans, the ideal owner.

The same went for Jack Walker at Blackburn and Eddie Davies at Bolton – custodians with a genuine passion and understanding of the club and the local community.

It is for this very reason that Blackpool are incredibly fortunate to have Simon Sadler as their owner.

Of course, it’s not enough to just be local with a connection to the town or city, you have to back that up by your actions. Thankfully, Blackpool fans needn’t worry about that.

Just last week, we saw images on social media of new signage being put in place at the club’s Squires Gate training ground. This comes after the recent installation of the temporary buildings which finally, after all these years, makes the facility look respectable.

Of course these are only short-term fixes and the aim remains to build an all-encompassing training facility. Coronavirus won’t have helped with that, but Sadler remains steadfast in his objective to deliver it.

Elsewhere, cherry-pickers were seen at Bloomfield Road to assist with the clean-up of the stadium. It might not seem like much, but sometimes it’s the little things that go a long way. Taking pride in your surroundings is vital.

Ultimately it is on the pitch where Blackpool will be judged but you’d have to say the Seasiders are as well-placed as anyone to battle for promotion next season.