SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 13 hrs 39 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Bolton Wanderers fans' group: "The next two weeks are crucial"

:Headline: Bolton Wanderers fans' group: 'The next two weeks are crucial': ID:354010: from db_amp
Wanderers have been struggling both on and off the pitch this season.

A Bolton fans' group has warned the club's existence still hangs in the balance after they fended off a winding-up order in the High Court.

Bolton won a reprieve on Wednesday when a High Court hearing in London was adjourned until April 3 to allow the club to settle their debts.

The Sky Bet Championship outfit were issued with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs over an unpaid tax bill for £1.2million.

Bolton have avoided a 12-point deduction this season (David Davies/PA)

Bolton told the hearing they were in the process of selling the club to a mystery buyer and have effectively been given a fortnight to complete the deal.

A Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Trust (BWFCST) statement read: "The next two weeks are now crucial to the very existence of BWFC.

"As our recent plea to the owner and all interested stakeholders, we again urge all parties to work towards securing a more stable and sustainable future for our beloved club."

“We are pleased to get the adjournment today, which will allow the club to make progress with the interested party.”
- Bolton statement

Bolton still face the threat of liquidation or administration, but the adjournment means they have avoided a 12-point deduction this season.

BWFCST said:  "One point of note is that the two-week adjournment now takes us past the deadline of 5.00pm on Thurs 28 March for insolvency event-related points deductions to be applied this season.

"The BWFCST is relieved that Judge Jones has (on Wednesday) decided to adjourn the HMRC winding-up petition until 3rd April.

"Judge Jones must have been satisfied regarding the credibility and substance of the new bidder and we find some comfort in that."

Bolton fans have been protesting against majority stakeholder Ken Anderson (Martin Rickett/PA)

The supporters' trust also noted that HM Revenue & Customs were not the only creditor named on the winding-up petition.

"The news that several other parties have been added to the petition is however, of further concern," BWFCST added.

One of the creditors on the petition, sports kit manufacturer Macron, is understood to be owed nearly £200,000 by the club.

Barrister Hilary Stonefrost, representing Bolton, told the court the club have a potential buyer lined up who "already owns a major stake in a high-level football club".

Bolton hope to complete the sale of the club to a mystery buyer (Clint Hughes/PA)

Bolton said in a statement: "We are pleased to get the adjournment today, which will allow the club to make progress with the interested party.

"No further comments will be made on the matter at this moment in time."

Bolton have now defended a winding-up petition due to unpaid tax and VAT for a sixth time in 16 months.

They won a similar stay of execution in the High Court three years ago to allow previous owner Sports Shield BWFC to complete a last-minute takeover.

Bolton fans blame chairman Ken Anderson for the club's financial struggles (Martin Rickett/PA)

Current owner Ken Anderson bought a stake in the club during that buy-out and took majority control in 2017 after Sports Shield went into liquidation.

Bolton confirmed on Tuesday night that another potential buyer had pulled out of talks, but that there were still several other interested parties.

Anderson, who owns 94.5 per cent of the club's shares, has increasingly struggled to finance the running costs.

“The next two weeks are now crucial to the very existence of Bolton Wanderers Football Club”
- Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Trust statement

The players were paid their February salaries late and the training ground was closed for a day earlier this month, while there was doubt over a recent game against Millwall going ahead due to concerns over policing costs.

Bolton also face further legal action from League Two side Forest Green, who have confirmed to Press Association Sport that they have started proceedings over the failed transfer of striker Christian Doidge.

Wanderers are second from bottom in the Championship, while Aldershot were the last English Football League club to go into administration in 2013.

amp_article__354010 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-20 17:19:59:
html db last update - 2021-02-16 18:20:40 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ken Anderson

Click here for more stories about Bolton Wanderers

Share this article now:
Read more about Ken Anderson Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Portsmouth392411463323183
2Derby CountyDerby402461069353478
3Bolton WanderersBolton39228971432874
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38218974462871
5Barnsley382011770482271
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd391891262521063
7Stevenage3917111151401162
8Lincoln CityLincoln3916131056332361
9Blackpool391791357421560
10Leyton Orient391610134444058
11Northampton TownNorthampton40158175160-953
12Wigan AthleticWigan39177155348550
13Wycombe WanderersWycombe381311145049150
14Bristol Rovers38148164857-950
15Exeter CityExeter39138183352-1947
16Charlton AthleticCharlton391015145758-145
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury39135212955-2644
18Reading39139175557-242
19Burton Albion39109203151-2039
20Cambridge UnitedCambridge38109193255-2339
21Port Vale3899203661-2536
22Cheltenham TownCheltenham3798203050-2035
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood39713194161-2034
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3959253569-3424
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .