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Bury Expelled From EFL as Bolton Have 14 Days to Complete Takeover
Tuesday, 27th Aug 2019 23:42

Bury’s expulsion from the EFL was confirmed late this evening after their proposed takeover collapsed this afternoon prior to today's 5pm deadline, while Bolton Wanderers have been given another 14 days in which to find a resolution to their takeover’s ongoing impasse.

An EFL statement on the expulsion of Bury, the first club to be expelled since Maidstone's liquidation in 1992, reads: “Despite repeated requests to its owner Mr [Steve] Dale over a sustained period of time, the necessary evidence in respect of how the club would meet its financial commitments, has simply not been provided and, as a result, attentions turned to securing new ownership at the club.

“At its meeting on 24th August 2019, the board agreed a short extension to 5pm today (Tuesday 27th August) to enable Mr Dale and the club to explore the possibility of a proposed sale with C&N Sporting Risk Limited, with Mr Dale having accepted their offer.

"Following due diligence, C&N Sporting Risk Limited opted not to pursue its interest.

“Therefore, having fully considered all available options, including a number of late expressions of interest provided to the EFL, the EFL board has unanimously determined with enormous regret that Bury’s membership be withdrawn.

“The EFL board had maintained that there could be no further suspensions to the fixture list and that these ongoing concerns and the integrity of the competition were a significant factor in the decision.”

Debbie Jevans CBE, the EFL’s executive chair, said: “Today is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in the League’s recent history. The EFL has worked determinedly and tirelessly to avoid this outcome and it is with a heavy heart that this situation has been forced upon us.


“The EFL has to place the integrity of our competitions at the heart of every decision we make, and we simply cannot allow this unacceptable situation to continue or countenance the prospect of postponing further fixtures.

“I understand this will be a deeply upsetting and devastating time for Bury’s players, staff, supporters and the wider community. There is no doubt today’s news will be felt across the entire football family.

“No one wanted to be in this position but following repeated missed deadlines, the suspension of five League fixtures, in addition to not receiving the evidence we required in regard to financial commitments and a possible takeover not materialising; the EFL Board has been forced to take the most difficult of decisions.”

Bury’s expulsion means League One will now comprise of 23 teams this season with only three relegated. Town will have fixture free Saturdays on November 2nd, when the Shakers were due to visit Portman Road, and 28th March when the Blues were set to visit Gigg Lane.

Meanwhile, the EFL have given Bolton further time to conclude their takeover by Football Ventures which was close to being completed on Friday before collapsing on Saturday.

A statement on the EFL website reads: “Despite further exchanges with the administrators over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend, and right up until today’s deadline of 5pm, a resolution to ongoing impasse in negotiations regarding a completion of sale at Bolton Wanderers has not yet been found.

“The EFL board has therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal, which was issued as per the EFL’s insolvency policy when the club entered administration in May 2019.

“As per the League’s articles of association, this will now give the club 14 days (11.59pm on 12th September, 2019) to meet all outstanding requirements of the League’s insolvency policy or its membership in the EFL will be withdrawn.

“In respect of the situation at Bolton Wanderers, the administrators now have this period of time to successfully conclude a change of control with a preferred purchaser, or provide sufficient evidence that they are in a position to fund the club for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign.”

Executive chair Jevans added: “Despite repeated assurances, we are extremely disappointed that we are still not in a position to reach a successful resolution with the sale of Bolton Wanderers and have therefore taken the decision to lift the suspension on the notice of withdrawal. I again urge all parties to finalise the proposed takeover.

“The reality of this action is that there are now 14 days to secure the club’s long-term future, and I sincerely hope we can find a way through these challenging circumstances for the benefit of all those who have an association with the club.”

A statement on behalf of Paul Appleton, Bolton's joint-administrator, reads: "We note the statement from the EFL lifting the notice of withdrawal of suspension and giving 14 days to find a solution and complete a deal for the sale of the club.

"All parties have been in continuous dialogue throughout the day and are working closely together this evening in order to bring a deal to completion. We will continue to work through the night if necessary. There will be a further update as soon as possible."

A previous statement from Appleton said that "the club is currently not in a position to carry on trading and, as such, the process of closing down the company will commence on Wednesday", however, this is unlikely to begin while the current discussions are continuing.

If Bolton are unable to complete their takeover before the new deadline then they will join Bury in being expelled from the EFL and their results this season - including Town’s 5-0 win at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday - will be expunged.


Photo: Action Images



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Bluearmy_81 added 11:10 - Aug 28
Yes Bobble and long may it stay that way till May. We both love the same club and want the same. We'll probably never change each others minds about Evans so the 'point' of any debate is questionable. We better stay at the top of the table because if we don't go up this season I fear we won't be going anywhere for a loooong time given our approach. Norwich are also going nowhere judging by their start so they could quite easily be pride of anglia for a generation. If you're ok with that you're a more patient man than me.
0

juniorblue added 11:12 - Aug 28
A very sad day for football. I do not think there are many Evans fans on here, but we do still have a club to support. We should think about people who have lost their job and fans who have lost their football club. To still be posting negative comments about Evans is quite selfish, and possibly sums up the attitudes that have resulted in the demise of Bury. The football community should stand together so that this doesn't happen again.
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Gcon added 11:44 - Aug 28
Jeeesus, All hail Marcus Evans? I don't bloody think so....

He has driven this club into the ground since he arrived, failed to support it financially, mismanaged it, refused to engage with fans and as a result we are dropping down the football league like a stone. Just because we beat the beleaguered Bolton schoolboys last weekend doesn't suddenly mean we are on the path to eternal victory. Any recent success is almost entirely down to Paul Lambert, acting not only as manager but also taking up the slack from Evans anonymous role as club boss by doing all he can to bring the supporters back on side.

He could so easily leave us in a similar predicament.
As far as I am aware all debt still sits on the books of ITFC making it effectively worthless, particularly as the club does not own the ground. He was always hoping to make a quick buck by getting us to the prem and selling it on at a profit. That has gone disastrously. Once he is bored and we have dropped further he could walk away without choosing to write off the debt and we too would be facing potential liquidation.

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rabbit added 12:02 - Aug 28
I am afraid that I cannot agree with you bluearmy_81, Dozzles Bobblehat is quite clearly a supporter you simply cannot possibly be a supporter.
Firstly you try and compare the Rotherham spend with ITFC they have spent roughly even amount in transfers but have sold two players Will Vaulks and Semi Ajayi for circa £3.5 mil combined.
Last season ITFC spent more than the winners of the league and only very slightly less than the runners up, the net income from players sold was hugely different to NCFC and similar to SUFC, all facts you conveniently ignore.
Not withstanding that you have no interest in looking at the business accounts, you have failed to pay any attention to the specific rules under FFP and 3rd and 4th tier teams and insult posters on this site.
You want ME to write off his debt and walk away which would obviously lead to insolvency.
You have created a facebook page which undermines the integrity of ITFC supporters which has been joined by mostly post pubescent teens, so what can anyone with any reasonable powers of observation conclude other than you actually hate ITFC?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:08 - Aug 28
Gcon no one is saying all hail ME . Don't get like Bluearmy.
The point I and others are making is that he cannot by FPL rules throw money at PL and say go buy who you want . As previously stated even Leeds had to sell their top players once they missed out on promotion as they would otherwise have faced a point reduction .
If you don't like ME fine , but don't become like others and start stating things that are total fiction.
3

martin587 added 12:17 - Aug 28
Dissboyitfc
I stand corrected.My knowledge on Bury FC is not as up to date as yours.I agree with your comments.Its just a terrible shame that clubs are allowed to get into this situation in the first place.With regard to Bolton is all to do with promotion and relegation and the large payments they get.Many clubs don't live within there means thus the consequences that have arisen.Sad to see supporters crying on the TV.Some people don't seem to understand football is part of there life,(work,drink,and football).
In the olden days it was much like village football matches which has grown into what it is today.Sad state of affairs.Perhaps it's now time for the FA to intervene as there are so many clubs now hanging by a thread.Who knows it could be our club in years to come.
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Bluearmy_81 added 12:22 - Aug 28
Rabbit, you are aware I don't converse with you due to your propensity to write total rot. Your post is full of lies, both about the Facebook group and what I want/think. Are you trying to give Johnson a run for his money?!! 😂
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ITFCsince73 added 12:26 - Aug 28
What has Bury ever won??
Classic Bobble....
0

ITFCsince73 added 12:38 - Aug 28
Has no basic history knowledge of the game.
But has an opinion on correct way ITFC is and has been run. LOL Keep um coming Bob.
-2

rabbit added 12:40 - Aug 28
To ensure there is no ambiguity bluearmy_81 I have cut and pasted your comment under the item Bolton Boss Departs Ahead of Town Visit dated 21st August.

"What do you think it would look like bugs? For me it would mean him giving up his ownership meaning rather than selling the club he walks and gets nothing for it."

Your refusal to converse with me is because I have proven you wrong on many occasions and the only way that you can wriggle out of the facts I have produced for you is to not talk to me.
So I challenge you blurarmy_81 prove that my post is full of lies, I won't hold my breath.
1

ITFCsince73 added 12:45 - Aug 28
Rabbit. As we are comparing Rotherham, and what they may have done compared to us.
That tells everyone just how Marcus Evan's has done so far since his involvement with the club.
We can also compare ourselves to Rochdale, Accy Stanley and the like, because that's where we have been taken since ownership.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 12:47 - Aug 28
For all the comments about Pro or Anti ME, I think this is something of a moot point at the present time.

Bury have gone out of business Ffrchissakes, and Bolton look like they are going to join them. God help any owner of a football club outside the elite 6, as you're damned if you do and damned if you don't (in terms of spending).

The real issue here in not about individual clubs and their balance between prudence and ambition. It is that the distribution of the gargantuan revenues in the game are completely skewed to a small minority of super rich clubs. The only way that ordinary football fans can change that is to vote with your TV subscriptions. Keep subscribing to BT Sport and SkySports, and nothing will change. If however hundreds of thousands of fans start cancelling their subscriptions then maybe the PL will sit up and listen. Anyone got a better idea?
2

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:49 - Aug 28
Um ITFC are you talking about me ?
0

rabbit added 12:52 - Aug 28
ITFCsince1973 I am not/was not comparing them I was responding to a specific "fact" that bluearmy_81 referred, which was once again far from factual or comparable.
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Bluearmy_81 added 13:00 - Aug 28
Omg!! That's what walking away would look like I said. I never stated that was likely, in fact I stated it was incredibly unlikely, and I never stated it was desirable or what I wanted. Re the facebook group, you have zero clue of the demographics of the group so your stating that it is "mainly prepubescent teens" is absolute twaddle, total cra p, utter lies. You really are such a tiresome individual, no wonder I vowed not to reply to you.
-3

Gcon added 13:15 - Aug 28
Dozzel's - What exactly is this 'total fiction' you are accusing me of?...
0

rabbit added 13:29 - Aug 28
I am sorry bluearmy_81 but if that is not what you desire or what you want why did you say it, unless of course you feel it would be an unmitigated disaster and were trying to make that point, although I doubt it because the thread was all about your desire to get rid of ME.
Let me give you one other quote you have made
"As a psychologist I deal in facts and evidence"
You stated previously that ME charged interest on the loans he made, which is totally wrong but you will not openly admit it and furthermore you have no evidence to prove the demographic of you churlish facebook page.
Try again.
Or will you now not respond because you simply won't accept being asked to back up your so called evidence.
1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:32 - Aug 28
Gcon I didn't . I said don't become like others that do .
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BurleysGloryDays added 13:34 - Aug 28
Mentioning No Names, we all know who this is directed to:

It takes a special kind of genius to argue for getting rid of Evans, right as Bolton and Bury are going under.

😅

You two should buy a football club, Bolton/Bury need someone with all the answers right now...

You must have at least 2 fag packets with your proposal on?

"ER BUY PLAYERS, SPEND SPEND IT'S A JOKE M8, BUY SPEND MORE, U LOT R A JOKE, HAVE AMBITION"
1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:34 - Aug 28
ITFCSINCE73 that totally sums you up . Opening your mouth without checking your facts .
The " what have Bury won " comment was made by the poster " Bobble" not me .
I shall await your apology.
1

Bluearmy_81 added 13:46 - Aug 28
What evidence do you want? You're the one making accusations the group is made up of teenagers. Short of screenprinting photos of all members (which I am obviously and understandably unwilling to do?!) You really are the most crashing bore. Bore off!! 😂
0

Gcon added 13:57 - Aug 28
BurleysGloryHole - Sorry, there are some of us that care passionately about the future of our club and some that choose to wallow in total apathy...It doesn't take a genius to see how this ends with an owner like Evans. Look around.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:04 - Aug 28
Just out of interest Gcon, what is it exactly you would like ME to be doing at the minute that he's not ?
For what it's worth my opinion is that he needs to be far more visible and communicate with the fans more than in previous years ( this has improved recently , partly thanks to PL calling him on it ) .
Unfortunately you seem to have slipped into the same vein as SINCE73 and Bluearmy in your last post by insinuating that anyone that disagrees with you is less of a supporter . Side note to all three of you . Your opinion and fact .NOT THE SAME THING .
0

DoseOfReality added 14:09 - Aug 28
This is the begining of the end of football as we know it, there will be more clubs fail over the coming years and with the amount of money flowing around in football it should not be possible for a professional club in this country to be liquidated.

The curse of the Premier League will be that it ruins clubs who aspire to get there and fail and those that do get there and inevitably are relegated at some point.

Eventually the Premier League big boys will only be tested by playing each other, if we are not there already, and the wonderful competition we once had will be gone. Eventually their fans will tire of being ripped off to watch their own team put 6 past opponents regularly. By then it will be too late and the sport and fans will be the losers while Manchester whoever and the others boast of their global brand.

Football needs to take a long hard look at itself and wake up to the fact its the fans entertainment that matters first and foremost, winning is the goal but not the be all and end all.

Where ME has gone wrong is running the club to stay in the Championship, not trying to win games but not being honest with the fans. MM was a disgrace as a manager as he played his part in that and even started to slag us off.

LGE1 with PL and watching our team finally try and win is reward enough for now & until the money created is distributed in the best interest of fair competition that is the best us and the vast majority of other clubs can hope for.

What's better LGE1 trying to win it or Championship trying to avoid defeat.

Sad, sad era for our great game, money and greed is ruining it slowly but surely.
2

Blueulster added 14:10 - Aug 28
So sad for Bury fans
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