Bolton Wanderers have been forced to postpone their League One clash with Doncaster Rovers amid welfare concerns for the young players in their squad.
Concerns continue for the Trotters, who have been in administration since May, and only had three senior outfield players for Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.
? Statement on behalf of Paul Appleton, Joint Administrator for Bolton Wanderers.
"It is with real regret and a deepening sense of frustration that we have been forced to postpone tomorrow's fixture against @drfc_official"
?? https://t.co/0t4Id7LEz8#BWFC ??
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) August 19, 2019
BOLTON WANDERERS CLUB STATEMENT:
“It is with real regret and a deepening sense of frustration that we have been forced to postpone tomorrow’s fixture against Doncaster Rovers.
“Whilst the threat of further EFL sanctions is obvious, nothing can be allowed to impact on the welfare of such a young group of players. With so many senior players injured or unavailable, the squad has performed heroically and deserves so much credit.
“But after consultation with the club’s medical staff, it is obvious that to call on them for another match without an adequate break would be detrimental to both their welfare and development which cannot be allowed.
“We were able to bring in reinforcements before the match against Coventry because the deal was so close to completion. Now, following recent events, the legal position of various parties has altered which means a delay in completion. In this situation, it is very difficult to attract available players to the club.
“I will be discussing the implications with the EFL but in the meantime, I would call on all parties involved with the acquisition of the club and hotel to end this intolerable delay and secure once and for all the future of Bolton Wanderers.
“Further details on reimbursement for any tickets sold for tomorrow’s game will follow.”
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson slammed the EFL for their treatment recently: “Asking young players to go again is not right.
“We sent an email to the EFL explaining our concerns about the welfare of the young players playing these games in quick succession. We were told we had to play the game.
“A combination of the people not getting the deal to buy the club over the line and the tangled web involved in that and us being made to play the game has hung me, the staff and all the players out to dry.
“Honestly, it is unacceptable. This is Bolton Wanderers Football Club – a fantastic club with great history and we need a bit of help.
“If it is not going to be sold we need to be able to bring some players in. We can’t have this type of scenario thrown at us.
“Yes, it’s a great learning curve for the young players but we don’t want to ruin them.
“We lost Liam Edwards and Dennis Politic and there are others hanging on by a thread. It is unacceptable. I am absolutely livid.
“The lads, to be fair, have absolutely ran themselves into the ground. Tranmere did what you expect and identified that we are a tiring young team. They played a physical, direct game and tried to bully us. That’s what you have got to do to get a result and I don’t blame them one bit.
“That was a tough test for the youngsters and right up to the first goal they were brilliant. You can see it so clearly from the touchline that their fatigue sets in and we’re having to play the senior players out of position to form a team.”
After finding out on the postponed fixture, fans took to give their reaction and understandably the majority are left angry – find out what they said on the next page.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login