Prospective buyer revealed to be former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini
Wednesday 3 April 2019 15:30, UK
Bolton have been granted a further stay of execution by the High Court as the club look to avoid a winding-up order.
The struggling Championship outfit were back in court on Wednesday over an unpaid tax bill but the case has been adjourned until May 8 to allow a proposed sale of the club to proceed.
The club's barrister Hilary Stonefrost told the court: "The prospective purchaser is here."
She added that Bassini, whose controversial tenure at Vicarage Road lasted only 13 months, "has proof of funds".
Mr Bassini declined to comment before he was driven away from the court in a white Rolls-Royce.
Bolton owner Ken Anderson said in a statement: "I am grateful for the High Court's decision this morning to adjourn the hearing until May 8, which gives us the time to finalise the deal for the sale of my shares to the interested buyers who have committed to buying the club and clearing all the debts including the substantial amounts that were there before I got involved with the club and secured on the stadium, hotel and training ground."
This is the sixth time in the last 18 months that Bolton have faced a winding-up petition. The latest one was issued in February by HMRC over debts of £1.2m.
Bolton's players are still on a 48-hour strike after staff wages were not paid on time for the second month.
Their safety advisory group decided the club could not guarantee the safety of fans at the University of Bolton Stadium and closed the ground for Saturday's game against Ipswich and next Tuesday's visit of Middlesbrough.
In his statement, Anderson added: "Everyone at the club is doing everything possible to try to ensure that this weekend's match against Ipswich Town and next Tuesday's against Middlesbrough go ahead as normal.
"But, this may now depend on whether the players see sense and stay loyal to the supporters and season ticket holders and return to full training tomorrow."
