Bolton: Players confirm they will not play remaining Championship fixtures unless they receive overdue wages

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Bolton Wanderer’s players have confirmed that they will not play their remaining Championship fixtures unless they receive their wages for the past month.

Bolton, who have already been relegated, avoided a winding-up petition over a £1.2m unpaid tax bill in March after outgoing chairman Ken Anderson agreed the sale of the club to former Watford owner Laurence Bassini.

“Significant funds” were promised as part of the deal to pay wages and creditors, however, Bolton’s players confirmed they are still yet to receive their March wages and have ”decided not to fulfil our remaining fixtures unless we are paid”.

In a statement, the players said: “The long-running financial crisis at our club has been well documented. As has the fact we, the playing staff have yet to receive our March salaries. Five of our coaching staff are also yet to be paid for March. We have endeavoured to continue our training and playing commitments during this extremely difficult time, with seemingly no resolution in sight.

“We thought that the prospective takeover of the club would provide a solution, but difficulties in its completion has left us no further forward. The situation is creating mounting mental, emotional and financial burdens for people through no fault of their own. The mental pressure has affected some people to the extent that they feel they are unable to perform their jobs sufficiently.

“These are unprecedented circumstances and are affecting every aspect of our lives, placing great strain on ourselves and our families. During this time we have remained patient in hope of some explanation, but information from the club has been extremely limited and very confusing. What we have been told changes constantly.

“With deep regret, we have decided not to fulfil our remaining fixtures unless we are paid. We understand that this will disappoint our and for this we sincerely apologise. We realise this may be seen as a drastic action but we feel we have no other options left. This decision has not been taken lightly and is not a reaction to this one particular incident.

“We have suffered numerous issues this season, and recent season. Brought on by the mismanagement of this club. We have been operating in a near-untenable environment for some time and it is the accumulation of these issues that have resulted in our decision.”

Bolton are scheduled to face Brentford tomorrow, before travelling to Nottingham Forest for their final game of the season.