#144 - "A League of One" w/ Bolton Wanderers Sporting Director; Chris Markham

05-01-2024 • 45 mins

Just over one month ago Bolton had won 7-0 at home in front of 25,000 people continuing their promotion push to the Championship. It is a far cry to a club just over a few years prior who had just come out of administration, straggled at the bottom of League 2. When a situation is as ground zero where do you even begin?

For the new Sporting Director; Chris Markham it was quite the remit however fear not Wanderers had found a professional very equipped from his time at Huddersfield Town and the FA. A few years later and with an expansive playing style, aligned leadership and savvy recruitment Bolton have rightly earned plaudits on their way to being "a league of one".

I was fortunate Chris joined me today to share more about the old school values and modern methods propelling Bolton up the EFL.

Listen to find out more including;

- The masters on the grass at Huddersfield Town which kickstarted Chris' career?

- What an analysis culture looks like and lessons from heading up the game insights department at the FA?

- The meticulous planning and detail which goes into placing Bolton in a position to thrive and not just survive.

- How Chris and Bolton encourage risk taking not only in players but staff?

- The use of the loan market in Bolton's squad building.

- How has his leadership style had to evolve between managing a department to managing a club?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 09:27 - Huddersfield Town

09:28 - 14:43 - The FA

14:44 - 21:58 - Bolton