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It's business as usual as Wanderers return to full training after the international break this morning – but behind the scenes, takeover talks are reaching a pivotal stage.
Neil Lennon’s side get back to playing duties against Reading next weekend, still needing to claw back a three-point gap on the sides above them in the relegation zone.
And although the situation on the pitch is certainly one of pressing concern, attention has been drawn away over the last fortnight by events in the boardroom at the Macron Stadium.
The Bolton News understands Eddie Davies and his advisors are set to resume discussions with the Sports Shield consortium about a proposed change of ownership and that more information could come to light by the end of this week.
Little is known about the source of the cash needed to secure ownership from the Isle of Man businessman, which has created a sense of suspicion inside and outside the club as to the validity of the bid.
Former Wanderers striker Dean Holdsworth has been identified as one of the men involved in the talks, although it is now thought he may be acting as a go-between on behalf of a consortium of investors.
Davies and his legal representatives are thought to have taken a hands-on involvement in discussions and sources inside the club claim he has already rejected a handful of bids over the last 12 months because they failed to provide enough of a guarantee safeguarding the Whites’ future.
Parties on both sides of negotiations are unable to speak publicly for legal reasons. Details that were due to be confirmed at the weekend have remained under wraps but while solid information has been thin on the ground, sources close to the deal insist it is moving in a “positive direction”.
It now seems increasingly likely that if the current takeover talks reach fruition there will be a complete change in the hierarchy at the Macron, which could mean the end of Phil Gartside’s 16-year reign as chairman.
Initial reports claimed two former Wanderers stalwarts Sam Allardyce and Phil Brown, both in management with Sunderland and Southend United respectively, feature heavily in the consortium’s plan and that the job of manager Lennon could come under scrutiny.
Source
Neil Lennon’s side get back to playing duties against Reading next weekend, still needing to claw back a three-point gap on the sides above them in the relegation zone.
And although the situation on the pitch is certainly one of pressing concern, attention has been drawn away over the last fortnight by events in the boardroom at the Macron Stadium.
The Bolton News understands Eddie Davies and his advisors are set to resume discussions with the Sports Shield consortium about a proposed change of ownership and that more information could come to light by the end of this week.
Little is known about the source of the cash needed to secure ownership from the Isle of Man businessman, which has created a sense of suspicion inside and outside the club as to the validity of the bid.
Former Wanderers striker Dean Holdsworth has been identified as one of the men involved in the talks, although it is now thought he may be acting as a go-between on behalf of a consortium of investors.
Davies and his legal representatives are thought to have taken a hands-on involvement in discussions and sources inside the club claim he has already rejected a handful of bids over the last 12 months because they failed to provide enough of a guarantee safeguarding the Whites’ future.
Parties on both sides of negotiations are unable to speak publicly for legal reasons. Details that were due to be confirmed at the weekend have remained under wraps but while solid information has been thin on the ground, sources close to the deal insist it is moving in a “positive direction”.
It now seems increasingly likely that if the current takeover talks reach fruition there will be a complete change in the hierarchy at the Macron, which could mean the end of Phil Gartside’s 16-year reign as chairman.
Initial reports claimed two former Wanderers stalwarts Sam Allardyce and Phil Brown, both in management with Sunderland and Southend United respectively, feature heavily in the consortium’s plan and that the job of manager Lennon could come under scrutiny.
Source
