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The Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust have written to EFL chief Shaun Harvey demanding to know why he has not acted faster to prevent a financial meltdown at the club.
The trust claim Harvey - who will leave his post at the end of this season - gave assurances in February that owner Ken Anderson had the funding to see out the current campaign – but that his confidence has since been proven unfounded.
In a letter seen by The Bolton News, the trust has highlighted a series of major problems which have surfaced since Harvey’s guarantee, as Anderson has withdrawn his financial support.
“In our letter of January 6, 2019, we express our ongoing grave concern about the financial stability and sustainability of our club. In your response you stated that: ‘The club continues to manage its own financial affairs to ensure they have a long-term future and, following recent discussions, the EFl remain satisfied the club has the source and sufficiency of funds to meets its obligations as a member of the league to at least the end of the season.
“Within 14 days the club failed to pay players and staff and were close to having a prohibition notice placed in the stadium by the local council as a result of the SAG not being satisfied the club could comply with their staffing responsibilities.
“Wages were paid to temporary staff ahead of the game and the threat was averted, with the delays blamed on a failure to conclude the sale of the club.
“As you referenced in your letter you acknowledge that “the EFL continues to receive information that there is some control of interest in the club.”
Nearly eight weeks after Harvey’s reply to the trust there has been no sale concluded, and financial problems have continued to pile up – including the late payment of players, two High Court hearings over a HMRC winding-up petition and numerous issues with suppliers.
“What we are struggling to understand,” the letter continues, “is that within 14 days of your reassuring statement the club failed to pay wages and has since gone on to have prohibition notices issues and made two High Court appearances.
“Perhaps the EFL wish to make some comment as to the credibility of the discussions held between the EFL and the club that resulted in your statement of satisfaction.”
The Trust has also voiced concern over the man who purported to be on the verge of buying the club at High Court last week, former Watford owner Laurence Bassini.
Flagging up some of the problems he had encountered at Vicarage Road in a controversial 13-month spell in the boardroom, the trust has also asked the league to ensure whoever is given the green light to take over the club after Ken Anderson is a longer-term solution.
The letter read: “In the interests of future stability and sustainability of our club, we request that the EFL use their best endeavours to ensure the next owner of BWFC is able to pay staff wages and meet the other obligations as a member of the league for the short, medium and long term.”
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The trust claim Harvey - who will leave his post at the end of this season - gave assurances in February that owner Ken Anderson had the funding to see out the current campaign – but that his confidence has since been proven unfounded.
In a letter seen by The Bolton News, the trust has highlighted a series of major problems which have surfaced since Harvey’s guarantee, as Anderson has withdrawn his financial support.
“In our letter of January 6, 2019, we express our ongoing grave concern about the financial stability and sustainability of our club. In your response you stated that: ‘The club continues to manage its own financial affairs to ensure they have a long-term future and, following recent discussions, the EFl remain satisfied the club has the source and sufficiency of funds to meets its obligations as a member of the league to at least the end of the season.
“Within 14 days the club failed to pay players and staff and were close to having a prohibition notice placed in the stadium by the local council as a result of the SAG not being satisfied the club could comply with their staffing responsibilities.
“Wages were paid to temporary staff ahead of the game and the threat was averted, with the delays blamed on a failure to conclude the sale of the club.
“As you referenced in your letter you acknowledge that “the EFL continues to receive information that there is some control of interest in the club.”
Nearly eight weeks after Harvey’s reply to the trust there has been no sale concluded, and financial problems have continued to pile up – including the late payment of players, two High Court hearings over a HMRC winding-up petition and numerous issues with suppliers.
“What we are struggling to understand,” the letter continues, “is that within 14 days of your reassuring statement the club failed to pay wages and has since gone on to have prohibition notices issues and made two High Court appearances.
“Perhaps the EFL wish to make some comment as to the credibility of the discussions held between the EFL and the club that resulted in your statement of satisfaction.”
The Trust has also voiced concern over the man who purported to be on the verge of buying the club at High Court last week, former Watford owner Laurence Bassini.
Flagging up some of the problems he had encountered at Vicarage Road in a controversial 13-month spell in the boardroom, the trust has also asked the league to ensure whoever is given the green light to take over the club after Ken Anderson is a longer-term solution.
The letter read: “In the interests of future stability and sustainability of our club, we request that the EFL use their best endeavours to ensure the next owner of BWFC is able to pay staff wages and meet the other obligations as a member of the league for the short, medium and long term.”
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