MX23RW : Saturday, April 20 13:40:42| >> :120:13685:13685:

Bolton players 'in need of support' after not being paid for 20 weeks

Bolton players 'in need of support' after not being paid for 20 weeks
© Reuters
The club has been forced to call off its pre-season friendly at Chester.

Bolton's friendly trip to Chester on Friday has been called off after the players issued a statement claiming they have been put under "severe mental and emotional stress".

Members of the Wanderers squad say they and the coaching staff have not been paid for 20 weeks, while they returned to pre-season to find their training facilities locked up.

The League One club is currently in administration as prospective buyers attempt to complete a takeover.

In the joint statement, they said: "The players and coaching staff have not been paid by the club for 20 weeks and the administrators have not offered any financial assistance. It is our understanding that there are sufficient funds to provide financial help immediately, but there has been none.

"As we have stated in a previous statement, all this has caused severe mental and emotional stress, affecting both our professional and personal lives, and this has now only increased. Certain individuals are in need of support and none has been forthcoming from the club.

"With the new season looming, it is becoming impossible to prepare correctly for the challenge ahead.

"Contracted players and staff have returned to what they hoped would be a resolved situation and a fresh start for everyone.

"They have undertaken their duties and obligations with diligence and professionalism but how long is it reasonable for us to do so without being paid?"

Chester confirmed cancellation of the friendly in a statement on their official website.

It said: "Chester Football Club can confirm that Friday's planned pre-season friendly at the Deva Stadium against Bolton Wanderers has now unfortunately been called off.

"The first team players of Bolton Wanderers Football Club made a statement earlier today.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and wish the players, supporters, and staff at Bolton Wanderers the best of luck as they search for a resolution in a difficult time for their great football club."

Bolton administrator Paul Appleton issued a statement via the club website which read: "I have seen the statement released by the players today. While it is riddled with factual inaccuracies, their position is understandable and one with which I have a great deal of sympathy.

"The fact they have not been paid would appear to have had a major impact on their collective mindset.

"The ongoing situation has been continuously explained to them by Phil Parkinson. My team and I have been in dialogue with him since the first day of the administration.

"We have also spoken to various agents, the PFA, and the LMA to keep them apprised of the situation.

"As football creditors, Phil, his staff and the players will get paid in full once the deal has been completed. This is in contrast to other creditors, who will receive nothing approaching that level of compensation.

"Yes, the players have had to suffer hardship in terms of limited training facilities but decisions had to be taken in terms of finances and the need to prioritise payment of club staff was an overriding factor.

"And, with the greatest respect to the players, they do not have a full understanding or appreciation of the club's ongoing financial position. I am working within a budget to keep this club alive until a sale is completed.

"However, the fact is I share many of the same frustrations as the players, the staff and all the fans who have shown incredible resilience and patience throughout this process.

"We have reached a stage in the deal to sell the club to Football Ventures and are working tirelessly to complete the transaction.

"One outstanding element of the deal, which is not under my control, is the sale of Whites Hotel. Football Ventures' ownership model, one supported by the EFL, is based on a deal for both the club and hotel, so I would encourage all parties involved to act swiftly to ensure the pressing timeframe for completion is met.

"I would implore everybody to drive through this deal and ensure this great football club is restored to its rightful position."

ID:365288: cacheID:365288:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5376:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Bolton Wanderers' University of Bolton Stadium taken 2016
Read Next:
Bolton Wanderers name 'Football Ventures' as preferred buyer
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth442713475393694
2Derby CountyDerby442681075373886
3Bolton WanderersBolton442411981483383
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough432481184562880
5Barnsley4421121179601975
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4521111377552274
7Lincoln CityLincoln4419141163372671
8Blackpool4420101460431770
9Stevenage4518141355451068
10Leyton Orient441711165053-362
11Northampton TownNorthampton44178195563-859
12Wycombe WanderersWycombe431513155553258
13Exeter CityExeter441610184358-1558
14Bristol Rovers44169195264-1257
15Wigan AthleticWigan441810165955456
16Charlton AthleticCharlton441119146363052
17Reading441511186365-250
18Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury44138233363-3047
19Cambridge UnitedCambridge431210213859-2146
20Burton Albion441110233662-2643
21Cheltenham TownCheltenham43118243761-2441
22Port Vale441010244172-3140
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood44813234572-2737
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4479284076-3630


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!