Bolton Wanderers have been handed an extra five weeks to pay their outstanding tax bill after their High Court case was adjourned to allow a proposed sale of the club to proceed.
There was genuine fear over the Trotters ’ Championship status, which could have had major implications at both ends of the table.
Leeds United would have been one of several teams to suffer had Bolton gone out of business, after taking six points from them this season.
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However, those fears have been eased, for the time being, after the case was adjourned until May 8. Owner Ken Anderson has been trying to sell the club for some time, and it has emerged former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini is in the running to take over the club.
Bassini attended today’s hearing, but refused to comment to any media before driving away. It is hoped a deal can be struck between the pair in the coming days, with Bolton's players and staff on strike until they’re paid their March wages, which were due to be paid last Friday.
This latest development comes just days after the club saw their safety certificate denied for Saturday’s match against Ipswich Town, casting the game in doubt. They also host Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, in a game that may not go ahead.
Anderson is an unpopular man at the club and made the decision to release a bizarre rant against the players, criticising their decision to strike.
Speaking to the club’s website, he said: "Obviously, the players' decision to go on strike is very disappointing and once again, I would reiterate that in my three years at the club, the staff have only been paid late once and yesterday was only the second time.
"Likewise, the players have also only been paid late three times. The reality is that they have always been paid.
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"Indeed, I was told yesterday that at least at one club, the players were buying their own food and doing their own laundry for many weeks, but to the best of my knowledge, none of the players at those clubs went on strike and let's remember, yesterday was only April 1, so it is not as if it is weeks late, is it?
"That is fully understandable, but perhaps they could also explain why the results up to Christmas were not exactly impressive either?”
