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Bolton Wanderers (Merged)

Lrrr

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phantom

phantom

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Bolton Wanderers' home match against Ipswich Town in the Championship on Saturday will go ahead as scheduled.

The region's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) had issued a ban on fans entering the University of Bolton Stadium for their next two home games.

"The club has been able to reassure us that they are able to host the game in a safe manner," said an SAG statement.

BBC Radio Manchester is reporting that club and matchday staff have now been paid their March salaries.

However, it is understood the players and coaching staff have still to be paid - but will return to training on Thursday following a 48-hour strike on Monday in support of the club's workers.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bolton were given until 8 May to settle an unpaid £1.2m tax bill at the High Court.

Lawyers for the financially stricken club said terms for the sale of Wanderers have been agreed and due diligence is under way, although they have withheld the identity of the prospective buyer.

Former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini is reported to have been at the hearing, where the club's barrister, Hilary Stonefrost, told the court: "The prospective purchaser is here."

She added that Bassini, whose controversial tenure at Vicarage Road lasted only 13 months, "has proof of funds".

Bassini declined to comment before he was driven away from the court in a Rolls-Royce, reports the Press Association.

Wanderers are 23rd in the Championship table with seven games remaining.

Following Saturday's match against bottom side Ipswich, they are due to face play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough on Tuesday, 9 April.

"We recognise that Bolton Wanderers Football Club is at the heart of our community and this has been a deeply regrettable situation," added a spokesperson for SAG.

"Partners are going above and beyond to put the plans in place to make sure games go ahead.

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phantom

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Bolton Wanderers' next two home matches against Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough will both go ahead as scheduled.

The region's Safety Advisory Group (SAG) had issued a ban on fans entering the University of Bolton Stadium for the two games on Saturday and Tuesday.

The club's non-playing staff have now received their March salaries, but Bolton's players released a statement to say they have still not been paid.

They are seeking support from the Professional Footballers' Association.

BBC Radio Manchester is reporting that the players returned to training on Thursday following a 48-hour strike on Monday in support of the club's workers.

"We are happy that our actions have resulted in the non-playing staff being paid their March salaries," read a statement released by the Championship club's players.

"Unfortunately none of the players or management staff have been paid yet and we have now asked the PFA and English Football League to deal with the situation on our behalf.

"We will now be focusing all of our attention on getting a result in Saturday's huge game against Ipswich."

Wanderers are 23rd in the Championship table with seven games remaining.

A spokesperson for SAG said: "We recognise that Bolton Wanderers Football Club is at the heart of our community and this has been a deeply regrettable situation.

"Partners are going above and beyond to put the plans in place to make sure games go ahead.

"Safety and security have always been our primary concern and we are pleased that the club has been able to reassure us that they are able to host the game in a safe manner."

What next in Bolton's takeover saga?

On Wednesday, Bolton were given until 8 May to settle an unpaid £1.2m tax bill at the High Court.

Lawyers for the financially stricken club said terms for the sale of Wanderers have been agreed and due diligence is under way, although they have withheld the identity of the prospective buyer.

Former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini is reported to have been at the hearing, where the club's barrister, Hilary Stonefrost, told the court: "The prospective purchaser is here."

She added that Bassini, whose controversial tenure at Vicarage Road lasted only 13 months, "has proof of funds".

Bassini declined to comment before he was driven away from the court in a Rolls-Royce, reports the Press Association.

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Monkeh

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Bassini wouldn’t pass a fit and proper persons test or shouldn’t pass anyway

blokes been bankrupt 3 times stole 1.5 million from watford

and still owes Watford’s previous owners 4 million,

if the efl let him take on Bolton they’d be liquidated by xmas

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phantom

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17 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Can’t believe the efl will let him take over, he’s worse the risdale 

but then they are faced with a situation of the devil or liquidation

It is mind blowing, Bolton fans must be wondering what they did wrong to deserve all this

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Port Said Red

Port Said Red

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33 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

It’s always the fans that suffer gross mismanagement sadly, 

Just saw on the Bolton forum link at the top of this page that Bassini has said "he has no backers" on Talksport.  

Judging by the end of this Wikipedia page,  Bassini it would seem his "proof of funds" mentioned in court yesterday are very mysterious.

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JamesBCFC

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23 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Just saw on the Bolton forum link at the top of this page that Bassini has said "he has no backers" on Talksport.  

Judging by the end of this Wikipedia page,  Bassini it would seem his "proof of funds" mentioned in court yesterday are very mysterious.

First paragraph of his wiki

"Laurence Bassini is a Stanmore-based English businessman, and former chairman of Watford Football Club who earned notoriety for his purple helmet."

 

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TETBURY MASSIVE

TETBURY MASSIVE

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2 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

In doubt - according to a Villa supporting mate, apparently questions remain over the finances at Bolton.

Haven't looked elsewhere to see where this story might have originated from.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/a-decision-made-important-news-16140344

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JamesBCFC

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4 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

Villa v Bolton in doubt - according to a Villa supporting mate, apparently questions remain over the finances at Bolton.

Haven't looked elsewhere to see where this story might have originated from.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/shambolic-aston-villa-fans-react-16140940.amp

Brummie equivalent to the awful Bristol Post site. Apologies.

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phantom

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As reported Bolton end yesterday:

 

WANDERERS will find out tomorrow morning if their home game against Aston Villa will be given the go-ahead.

A meeting of the SAG (Safety Advisory Group) was held on Monday evening but further assurances on crowd safety are being sought before the council will sanction the Championship clash.

The EFL advanced money to Bolton earlier this month to ensure games against Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough went ahead.

Council officers had issued a prohibition notice over concerns for spectator safety, with match-day staff threatening to strike over pay and bills owed to the emergency services.

Director of place, Gerry Brough, confirmed Bolton Council’s position, and that of the SAG.

“The council has a relationship with the club on two fronts, one is we’re an unsecured creditor of the club and the council has made it quite clear that we would treat Bolton Wanderers the same way as any other business that has a key role to play in the economy and social life of the community.

“That is we would continue to support it, would not do anything that would lead to the demise of the club, and we would work with anyone who wishes to work with the club as a going concern.

“The second area, particularly at this moment of time, is that we’re the authority that issues safety certificates for the ground.

“We do it on two basis – one, a certificate for the football ground, to be used for football on a regular basis, and we also issue ad hoc certificates for other events, pop concerts or whatever.

“We are advised by the SAG (Safety Advisory Group), which consists of all the emergency services in Bolton. They are generally the people who turn up and ensure safety at grounds when there is an event on.

“That advisory group is pretty much meeting on a weekly basis now.

“The safety certificate demands that the club can reassure us that they have all the staff necessary not just to run the event but to deal with any emergency that could occur during the event.

“It is quite specific. It is not just about turnstile operators and so on, it’s backroom staff as well. They have to convince us that they have got sufficient staff to make any event safe.

“If you are not paying your staff we take the view that you can’t guarantee your staff are going to turn up. And if you can’t guarantee your staff are not going to turn up for an event, we feel you cannot guarantee an event’s safety.

“Any time we’re informed there’s a likelihood people are not getting paid, the SAG will meet and if we don’t get the reassurance we are looking for from the club, we will issue a prohibition notice preventing any member of the public from entering the ground.

“We have got no option on that. We can’t compromise on safety.

“If the club subsequently give us the reassurances we are looking for we have to relent and let the public back into the ground.

“We will continue to prevent access to the ground if we think there is any possibility any member of staff who is necessary for the safety of the ground are not likely to turn up on the day.

“If we don’t get the reassurances we are looking for, I’m afraid we will issue a prohibition notice for Friday’s game.

“This is not something we want to be doing every week. It takes a lot of my staff’s time and we are pulling in emergency services to these meetings and I’m sure they have got other things they’d rather do with their time.

“We will not be overly aggressive but we have to adhere to the regulations of the Safety of Grounds Act.”

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THE EFL have repeated their claim that Wanderers owner Ken Anderson does have the cash to see out the season.

Financial problems have stacked up at the University of Bolton Stadium of late and players have now gone without pay for the last 16 days.

In three weeks the club will be back at the High Court to defend a winding-up petition from HMRC – before which another salary run is due for April.

EFL chief Shaun Harvey met with the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust on Monday to address concerns, with the league later issuing a statement.

“We hope that the meeting has provided some additional clarification into what is a challenging situation for fans of the club,” it read.

“Our overriding objective is to ensure the long-term sustainability of all EFL Clubs, including a strong Bolton Wanderers. The Regulations we have in place are to assist in that regard while ensuring we have appropriate Governance measures to protect the integrity of our competitions.

“Reputational damage remains a key concern for the League, its clubs and football in general and we are committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate solutions can be found to deliver against our stated objective.

“We continue to offer the club whatever practical assistance we can in regard to the sale but that ultimately is a matter for the current owner. As soon as we receive confirmation that a deal is to be done, we will act to ensure the process is completed as quickly as possible. There is currently no delay on the EFL’s part.

“The EFL clarified the point made in its February 2019 response to the Trust where it stated that the EFL ‘remain satisfied the Club has the source and sufficiency of funds to meets its obligation as a member of the League until the end of the season.’ The EFL remain of that view.”

The EFL’s view was met with considerable derision among Bolton fans who had gathered for a meeting at the stadium on Monday night.

“The EFL regard themselves as a competitions organiser, not a regulatory body. It’s a private members club,” said Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust board member Roger Allanson.

“Shaun Harvey takes the view that all 72 members are needed and wants to see a strong competition, and a strong Bolton Wanderers, which is fair enough.

“Everyone in this room seemed suitably amazed that the league feel the club has the source and sufficiency of funds to meet its obligations as a member of the league.

“It leads us to the conclusion that if the EFL is satisfied there is money here, via Mr Anderson and his companies, that he is choosing not to pay and to meet his obligations.

“Sadly people’s livelihoods are being affected. It is to the disgrace of us all. It’s tragic.”

Wanderers' players can now give a 14-day notice period on their contract before being able to walk away for nothing.

It is understood that no first team players have yet taken that decision as they wait for news from owner Ken Anderson on when they will be paid.

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bcfc01

bcfc01

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2 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Wow. Anyone know the ramifications of this in terms of the league? Would they be struck out? Results quashed?

Will Bolton the club field the U18s instead?

I would expect the PFA to pay 'em........again.

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Malago

Malago

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2 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Wow. Anyone know the ramifications of this in terms of the league? Would they be struck out? Results quashed?

Will Bolton the club field the U18s instead?

Their two remaining games are Brentford H,  Forest A.  Both meaningless wrt to promotion/relegation.  My guess is if they are unfulfilled , the EFL award 3-0 victories to Brentford and Forest.

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