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Wanderers are about to settle compensation for Brentford fans who were left out-of-pocket when players went on strike at the end of last season.
Hundreds of travelling supporters had bought tickets and paid for travel to the North West for what was the Bees’ final away game of the campaign.
But when players voted to withdraw their services – drawing national attention to the fact neither they or some club, hotel and training ground staff had been paid their March salary.
The match was cancelled less than 24 hours before kick-off and the club were found guilty of misconduct by the EFL, who awarded Brentford a 1-0 walkover win after unsuccessfully trying to reschedule the game.
A lengthy disciplinary process ensued – and Wanderers’ woes stretched on for another four months, during which time the club was placed into administration.
After one unsuccessful appeal by the EFL, an independent panel eventually decided that a five-point suspended penalty and a fine would be sufficient for cancelling the Brentford game, and a home clash with Doncaster the following August.
Brentford have now been informed that all fans who submitted receipts for travel tickets that were not used will get their money back. Match tickets and supporters’ association coaches have already been refunded.
Brentford’s chief executive Jon Varney said: “This was a very unfortunate situation that we found ourselves in the middle of and I am pleased it has now been resolved. I am sorry it has taken so long but we had to wait for the disciplinary process to be concluded, then the appeal, before we could be certain as to what our fans would receive. I am grateful to our supporters for their patience.
“We would like to thank the EFL and Bolton for their communication during the process. While it has not been possible to make everything public, due to the ongoing process, we have been kept fully up to date. We wish the new owners at Bolton all the best for the future, everyone at Brentford had the deepest sympathy for the Bolton players and staff for the situation they found themselves in.
“I know from speaking to our football staff that the players always appreciate the following we get away from home. It gives everyone of us involved in the club a great boost to see so many Brentford fans at away grounds. I am very pleased that we have now refunded this money and we can draw a line under the event and move on to the final stages of this season.”
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Hundreds of travelling supporters had bought tickets and paid for travel to the North West for what was the Bees’ final away game of the campaign.
But when players voted to withdraw their services – drawing national attention to the fact neither they or some club, hotel and training ground staff had been paid their March salary.
The match was cancelled less than 24 hours before kick-off and the club were found guilty of misconduct by the EFL, who awarded Brentford a 1-0 walkover win after unsuccessfully trying to reschedule the game.
A lengthy disciplinary process ensued – and Wanderers’ woes stretched on for another four months, during which time the club was placed into administration.
After one unsuccessful appeal by the EFL, an independent panel eventually decided that a five-point suspended penalty and a fine would be sufficient for cancelling the Brentford game, and a home clash with Doncaster the following August.
Brentford have now been informed that all fans who submitted receipts for travel tickets that were not used will get their money back. Match tickets and supporters’ association coaches have already been refunded.
Brentford’s chief executive Jon Varney said: “This was a very unfortunate situation that we found ourselves in the middle of and I am pleased it has now been resolved. I am sorry it has taken so long but we had to wait for the disciplinary process to be concluded, then the appeal, before we could be certain as to what our fans would receive. I am grateful to our supporters for their patience.
“We would like to thank the EFL and Bolton for their communication during the process. While it has not been possible to make everything public, due to the ongoing process, we have been kept fully up to date. We wish the new owners at Bolton all the best for the future, everyone at Brentford had the deepest sympathy for the Bolton players and staff for the situation they found themselves in.
“I know from speaking to our football staff that the players always appreciate the following we get away from home. It gives everyone of us involved in the club a great boost to see so many Brentford fans at away grounds. I am very pleased that we have now refunded this money and we can draw a line under the event and move on to the final stages of this season.”
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