Bolton Wanderers’ High Court hearing relating to a £1.2 million unpaid tax bill and other debts was adjourned until May 8th this morning to allow the Trotters time to finalise a takeover deal.
Previously, on March 20th, Wanderers were given two weeks to settle their debts and avoid a winding-up order with a takeover then also said to be close.
They have now been given the additional five weeks for current owner Ken Anderson, who tried to broker the sale of Town back in 2007 at the time of the Marcus Evans takeover, to agree a deal, which is hoped could be completed in the next seven days, and for the club to settle its debts.
Former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini was at the hearing and appears to be the frontrunner to become the new owner, while another company, Gaspard Holdings Ltd, are also reported to be hopeful of completing a deal.
As yet, there is no news on how the latest adjournment might affect the uncertainty surrounding Saturday’s game between the Blues and Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium, which was yesterday cast into doubt when the Safety Advisory Group withdrew a safety certificate.
An EFL statement said the club had "confirmed it would be unable to commit to meet the obligations of its safety certificate until after a scheduled appearance at the High Court”.
Following the adjournment, it’s likely further discussions regarding Saturday’s game - and Bolton’s home match against Middlesbrough next Tuesday - will take place.
Bolton, for whom today's court appearance was their seventh relating to a winding-up petition in the last 17 months, are currently 23rd in the Championship, eight points ahead of the Blues.
As previously reported, Bolton's players refused to train for 48 hours earlier in the week, wages having been unpaid on Friday, the second month running when they weren't paid on time.
March's salaries - both players and off-field staff - remain unpaid and matchday staff are reported to have threatened to strike at Saturday’s game.
Town have sold more than 1,000 seats for the game with tickets reduced to £5 across the board.