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WANDERERS go into the penultimate week of pre-season with a takeover tantalisingly within reach – but the club’s preparations for League One lying in tatters.
Sources close to the Football Ventures consortium insist a deal to buy both the club and Bolton Whites Hotel could be sealed within a matter of days.
Supporters remain understandably sceptical, having had their hopes dashed several times this summer, but those involved in negotiations maintain important progress has been made.
Football Ventures are understood to have found a new financial backer, replacing Parminder Basran, the Cheshire-based businessman who officially resigned as a director of the company last week.
That will enable them to meet the funding challenges on day one, which will include paying football creditors such as players and coaching staff.
Crucially, they have struck a deal with secured creditor, and former owner Ken Anderson, which had been one of the biggest hurdles in the process.
What damage has already been done by the delay is debatable. Wanderers were forced to cancel Tuesday’s friendly with Preston North End, leaving them with just one organised game before the big kick-off against Wycombe Wanderers on August 3.
Fans who bought tickets to the game, which was due to be played at 7.45pm at Leyland, should contact Bolton Central this morning for a refund.
The club’s seven senior players remain on strike and at least two – Josh Magennis and Erhun Oztumer - have now officially requested that their contract be torn up to enable them to sign elsewhere. Their demand to leave for free has been rejected by administrators but the PFA has been working on the players’ behalf to try and force a move.
Club sources maintain that the moment the takeover is completed, season tickets are ready to go on sale.
It is believed a dozen players have been earmarked as new signings who could come in quickly and reports claim that former Bury and Sheffield United chairman Terry Robinson could be brought in as director of football.
Robinson had a similar role at Leicester City and has also worked in Stoke City’s academy. He also acted as a consultant for Wanderers in late 2015 and early 2016, overseeing player contracts and transfers in the winter window.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17785127.make-break-time-wanderers-takeover/
Sources close to the Football Ventures consortium insist a deal to buy both the club and Bolton Whites Hotel could be sealed within a matter of days.
Supporters remain understandably sceptical, having had their hopes dashed several times this summer, but those involved in negotiations maintain important progress has been made.
Football Ventures are understood to have found a new financial backer, replacing Parminder Basran, the Cheshire-based businessman who officially resigned as a director of the company last week.
That will enable them to meet the funding challenges on day one, which will include paying football creditors such as players and coaching staff.
Crucially, they have struck a deal with secured creditor, and former owner Ken Anderson, which had been one of the biggest hurdles in the process.
What damage has already been done by the delay is debatable. Wanderers were forced to cancel Tuesday’s friendly with Preston North End, leaving them with just one organised game before the big kick-off against Wycombe Wanderers on August 3.
Fans who bought tickets to the game, which was due to be played at 7.45pm at Leyland, should contact Bolton Central this morning for a refund.
The club’s seven senior players remain on strike and at least two – Josh Magennis and Erhun Oztumer - have now officially requested that their contract be torn up to enable them to sign elsewhere. Their demand to leave for free has been rejected by administrators but the PFA has been working on the players’ behalf to try and force a move.
Club sources maintain that the moment the takeover is completed, season tickets are ready to go on sale.
It is believed a dozen players have been earmarked as new signings who could come in quickly and reports claim that former Bury and Sheffield United chairman Terry Robinson could be brought in as director of football.
Robinson had a similar role at Leicester City and has also worked in Stoke City’s academy. He also acted as a consultant for Wanderers in late 2015 and early 2016, overseeing player contracts and transfers in the winter window.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17785127.make-break-time-wanderers-takeover/
