Joint administrator’s plea as Bolton Wanderers crisis deepens

Bolton Wanderers

A joint administrator of Bolton Wanderers has called for a speedy conclusion to takeover talks.

His call comes after Wanderers’ friendy game at Chester this Friday was cancelled after the League One side’s players claimed to be suffering from “severe mental and emotional stress” having not been paid for 20 weeks.

On May 13, Paul Appleton and Asher Miller of David Rubin & Partners were appointed joint administrators of the club. They are currently overseeing a takeover by Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd.

However, despite being revealed as preferred bidders on July 1, the deal with Football Ventures has still not been concluded. It is understood to hinge on a separate deal for the Whites Hotel, situated within the stadium.

The squad reportedly met at the club training ground on Wednesday morning and expressed their concern at the perceived delays in concluding a deal, before confirming they would not play the Chester friendly.

They also voiced their dissatisfaction with the current situation in a joint statement by players and coaching staff, which said: “We were due to return to pre-season training on June 26 but this had to be delayed as the players’ insurance policies had not been paid and the facilities at the training ground were on lockdown.

“There were no changing or showering facilities, drinking water for training and insufficient medical supplies.

“We returned to training on July 1 to find that, apart from the insurance problem, none of these issues had been resolved. We have since been fulfilling our training obligations despite these problems.

“During this period to date we have had no direct communications in any form from Mr Paul Appleton as to the current position regarding our situation or that of the football club.

“We are reliant on local press and social media for any updates on any progress made. This has obviously increased the frustration and anxiety the players are feeling.

“The players and coaching staff have not been paid by the club for 20 weeks and the administrators have not offered any financial assistance.

“It is our understanding that there are sufficient funds to provide financial help immediately, but there has been none.

“As we have stated in a previous statement, all this has caused severe mental and emotional stress, affecting both our professional and personal lives, and this has now only increased.

“Certain individuals are in need of support and none has been forthcoming from the club.

“With the new season looming, it is becoming impossible to prepare correctly for the challenge ahead.

“Contracted players and staff have returned to what they hoped would be a resolved situation and a fresh start for everyone.

“They have undertaken their duties and obligations with diligence and professionalism, but how long is it reasonable for us to do so without being paid?”

Joint administrator, Paul Appleton, responded, saying: “I have seen the statement released by the players today.

“While it is riddled with factual inaccuracies, their position is understandable and one with which I have a great deal of sympathy.

“The fact they have not been paid would appear to have had a major impact on their collective mindset.

“The ongoing situation has been continuously explained to them by Phil Parkinson (Bolton manager).

“My team and I have been in dialogue with him since the first day of the administration. We have also spoken to various agents, the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) and the LMA (League Managers’ Association) to keep them apprised of the situation.”

He added: “As football creditors, Phil, his staff and the players will get paid in full once the deal has been completed.

“This is in contrast to other creditors, who will receive nothing approaching that level of compensation.

“Yes, the players have had to suffer hardship in terms of limited training facilities, but decisions had to be taken in terms of finances and the need to prioritise payment of club staff was an overriding factor.

“And, with the greatest respect to the players, they do not have a full understanding or appreciation of the club’s ongoing financial position.

“I am working within a budget to keep this club alive until a sale is completed.”

He went on: “However, the fact is I share many of the same frustrations as the players, the staff and all the fans who have shown incredible resilience and patience throughout this process.

“We have reached a stage in the deal to sell the club to Football Ventures and are working tirelessly to complete the transaction.

“It has been a complex process and one which has taken longer than I would have preferred considering the new season starts in just over two weeks.

“Now it is time for all parties to recognise the necessity for swift action and decisions to safeguard the future of the club.

“Hopefully, supporters will be reassured by the fact plans for player recruitment, season ticket and match day prices are all in place, and will be activated immediately once a deal has been completed.

“But one outstanding element of the deal, which is not under my control, is the sale of Whites Hotel.

“Football Ventures’ ownership model, one supported by the EFL (English Football League), is based on a deal for both the club and hotel, so I would encourage all parties involved to act swiftly to ensure the pressing timeframe for completion is met.

“I would implore everybody to drive through this deal and ensure this great football club is restored to its rightful position.”

Chester FC issued a statement, saying: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and wish the players, supporters and staff at Bolton Wanderers the best of luck as they search for a resolution in a difficult time for their great football club.”

Bolton was put into administration on May 13, in what it said was a bid to “ensure the continued existence” of the club.

Bolton owner Ken Anderson said he had no alternative but to put the club into administration, on the day it faced action by HMRC in the High Court over £1.2m of unpaid taxes.

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