Bolton Wanderers’ takeover, which has been in the balance since the weekend, has finally been completed, the new owners Football Ventures (Whites) Limited have announced in a statement.

There were fears that the Trotters could join Bury in being expelled from the EFL but were given an additional two weeks to resolve the issues which had previously prevented the takeover from being concluded.

From a Town perspective, Bolton’s survival means the Blues’ 5-0 victory at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday remains on the books and Town stay top of League One on goal difference from four other sides.

The new owners’ statement on Wanderers' official website reads: “We are privileged to announce that negotiations to transfer the ownership of Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Whites Hotel are over and we have formally completed.

“Throughout this lengthy and complicated process, we have remained focused on completion of the deal and nothing else.

“At times it has been difficult to keep our counsel but we took a decision to remain on the sidelines even when further damage was being inflicted by delays outside of our control.

“Our thoughts were always with the club staff and supporters and we worked tirelessly behind the scenes to find an agreement and prevent even more stress and uncertainty for those who have suffered far too much over the past months.

“Now we are excited to begin restoring this magnificent football club to its rightful position, securing its future for the fans, the loyal club staff, and the players.

“We are thankful to the EFL for their willingness to support our efforts along with the PFA.

"We would also like to thank the University of Bolton and Bolton Council for their backing and Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust for its understanding.

“We understand [former manager] Phil Parkinson and [assistant] Steve Parkin’s decision to leave the club. They have behaved impeccably and loyally and we wish them both nothing but the best for whatever the future may hold.

“It is now imperative that we commence the process of appointing a manager and strengthening the team with the right players to take the club forward.

“The true spirit of this football club rests with the fans, it is nothing without them. The support shown to the players during this season’s opening fixtures has been overwhelming.

“It would be remiss of us not to say how saddened we are at the devastating news from our neighbours at Bury FC. Our hearts go out to the fans and the community.

“Now the deal is complete, please be assured we intend to do all within our power to bring back a true sense of pride to Bolton Wanderers Football Club, which is the least the staff, fans, future generations of supporters and the community deserve.”

Debbie Jevans CBE, the EFL's executive chair, said: "On behalf of the EFL board, I am pleased that the administrators appointed in respect of Bolton Wanderers Football Club have today concluded the transfer of assets with Football Ventures to place the club under new ownership and out of administration.

"Having worked closely with the administrators since their appointment in May, the EFL has been focused on working through this difficult and complex period of uncertainty with all parties.

"Following the completion of the sale, the club is no longer in administration and the notice of withdrawal issued as per the EFL’s insolvency policy has been cancelled.

"These past few months have undoubtedly been challenging and, at times fraught — never more so in the past few days - and I would like to thank all parties for their efforts in achieving the desired outcome.

"I would also like to place on record my grateful appreciation and thanks to the players, former and present management, staff and supporters for their patience and understanding in allowing us to get to this point.

"Everyone at the EFL is now looking forward to working with the new ownership during the 2019/20 campaign and beyond."

Following Bury's expulsion, Bolton are 23rd and last in League One on -11 points having been docked 12 after going into administration. They could be deducted further points for postponing last week's home game with Doncaster due to welfare concerns relating to their players without consulting the EFL or their opposition.

Photo: Action Images

martin587 added 19:13 - Aug 28 Well done to all involved in saving a great club.👍
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terry_butchers_twin added 19:15 - Aug 28 Whilst it's great that we keep our 3 points from the weekend it's even better that a founder member of the football league has survived. Heart really goes out to the Bury supporters and staff who were not given a final chance last night.....We shoulyALL appreciate Marcus Evans that little bit more.
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Lukeybluey added 19:25 - Aug 28 Very good news!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:37 - Aug 28 Great news on all fronts
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jas0999 added 19:50 - Aug 28 Great news and an excellent statement from the new owners. Bolton's plight remains challenging, particularly as they have minus 11 points. But good luck to them as would have been sad to lose another League One club.
7

Dissboyitfc added 19:57 - Aug 28 very pleased to read this!
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CavendishBlue added 20:22 - Aug 28 When will Fair Play rules be upheld. It's taken the footballing authorities 6 years to get £82m out of cheating QPR. Meanwhile clubs like our who adhered to the rules fell backwards.
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Big_Steve added 20:34 - Aug 28 Thank feck for that. Made up for Bolton and their fans (tracksuits from Matalan or not) but just as happy that our three points and +5 to the ol' goal difference will not be expunged.
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NBVJohn added 20:38 - Aug 28 Great to know that they are safe. Would hate to see any club (except perhaps MK Dons) go to the wall. I hope they have found themselves a decent owner now. So, now that we have that out of the way, can we please get back to normality and have a good laugh at them about still banging on about that ridiculous Barry Knight business nearly 20 years ago? Amusingly a local Bolton rag report of Saturday's game mentioned it yet again!

4

Saxonblue74 added 20:55 - Aug 28 Whilst it's great to see Bolton survive there are many questions still unanswered. For me the EFL simply MUST tighten up on FFP and regulate clubs spending with far more vigilance. Football clubs unscrupulous owners cannot be allowed to employ high risk strategy in search of the promised land. As for calls to the Premier league to step in and contribute to the plight, why should they? If I run my business at a massive loss every year with no Capitol to back it it goes bust, I wouldn't then go cap in hand to bigger companies hoping they will bail me out! The rules are there to prevent this kind of scenario and need to be enforced, both for parity between clubs and prevention of the Bolton and Bury situation happening with dozens of other struggling clubs.

2

Bluearmy_81 added 20:56 - Aug 28 Decent new owner hopefully? Lucky them!
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Saxonblue74 added 21:06 - Aug 28 Lucky them 81? Are you for real?
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algarvefan added 21:30 - Aug 28 Bluearmy_81 please go somewhere else and drip and moan where decent Town fans don't have to listen to your inane drivel about our clubs owner. This week of all weeks I am just grateful that we still have a club, which may I remind you currently sit top of the division we are in. This is in no small part down to the people who own and run the club, if we listened to your like and splashed the cash we could be in the same predicament as Bury. Now man up and support the team and the people behind it.

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1psw1ch added 21:36 - Aug 28 Ah great news to see this take over,,,pity about bury though,,,hopefully one day we will see them back,,,,coyb
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bingboast added 21:48 - Aug 28 bluearmy 81, Ipswich fan? no way just pee off. it was people like you that made Burley go on wild spending spree, to only succeed in leading us into administration - go & support Narwich. PLEASE.
1

TotalBlue added 22:00 - Aug 28 Been hanging on for this but WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE COYB!!!!!! So glad Bolton has been saved now it's time for the efl to get a brain and restore bury they were saved just a shame they can not understand it takes time for money to clear. Total idiots and hope the courts sort it
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Bluearmy_81 added 22:15 - Aug 28 Top of the third division. Are any of you seriously proud of that?! It's an embarrassment even being there. Norwich are going to be premier league and pride of anglia for the foreseeable...
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Bluearmy_81 added 22:18 - Aug 28 You're backing the man who has taken us to the third division, we're playing Accrington, Rochdale and Shrewsbury ffs in front of 4k!! What on earth is wrong with you?!!!!
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Foreverdon_Blue added 22:36 - Aug 28 Very pleased to hear about Bolton's takeover, it would have been terrible if they had been expelled with all their history. Feel very sorry for Bury though. As for Bluearmy_81, please shut up!!
3

OwainG1992 added 22:54 - Aug 28 Terrific news. Hopefully they can get some free agents/loaness in.
2

Skip73 added 23:01 - Aug 28 Somebody wake me up when Bluearmy has finished
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hinchers1066 added 23:02 - Aug 28 Blue Army give it a rest for all our sakes
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VanDusen added 23:23 - Aug 28 It's brilliant. No dispute about that. But I still hope the league now get on with arbitrating on their various misdemeanours. It may be pedantic but it still riles me we have to live with finishing bottom a point behind a team that failed to complete their fixtures last season. Let us finish a rightful 23rd and let's move on to a new era - even forgiving THAT play off semi.

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Bluearmy_81 added 23:28 - Aug 28 Just trying to wake you up from your apathetic slumber!! Norwich the pride of Anglia etc is the truth and you all know it. Engage emotion. Feel upset, get angry, it's allowed!! It's actually far more mature and healthy than the way you are dealing (or not dealing) with reality.
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hyperbrit added 04:54 - Aug 29 ...the Premiership is more of a poison chalice than the promised land.Look at the fortunes that have been spent by clubs like Bolton just to be cannon fodder for the top 6. A European Super League is badly needed imo!!
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