MX23RW : Monday, April 8 13:41:31| >> :600:352888:352888:

Bolton Wanderers allowed to finish out season at home ground

Bolton allowed to finish out season at home ground
© Reuters
Bolton had been placed under a prohibition notice under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 by SAG.

Bolton have been given the go-ahead to stage matches at the University of Bolton Stadium until the end of the season by the region’s safety advisory group (SAG).

The beleaguered Championship club had been placed under a prohibition notice under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 by SAG, comprising of representatives of the local council, police and emergency services.

That was because SAG had deemed fans’ safety would not be guaranteed. However, the club have managed to “reassure” the group, meaning the notice has been lifted.

A spokesperson for SAG said: “We recognise that Bolton Wanderers Football Club is at the heart of our community and this has been a deeply regrettable situation.

Bolton will stage matches at the University of Bolton Stadium until the end of the season
Bolton’s clash with Ipswich will go ahead on Saturday (Dave Howarth/PA)

“Partners are going above and beyond to put the plans in place to make sure games go ahead.

“Safety and security have always been our primary concern and we are pleased that the club has been able to reassure us that they are able to host the game in a safe manner.”

Last month Bolton’s match against Millwall was placed in doubt because of safety concerns after staff, including stewards and turnstile operators, were not paid their February wages on time. The match did, however, go ahead.

The prohibition notice initially covered Wanderers’ home games against Ipswich this weekend followed by Middlesbrough next Tuesday.

But SAG said “following rigorous examination”, the club have been able to meet the legal conditions of the general safety certificate.

Wanderers’ under-fire chairman Ken Anderson urged the relegation-threatened club’s supporters to turn out in force as the season reaches its climax, and thanked those who had worked to ensure that the games can go ahead.

In a message to fans on Bolton’s official website, www.bwfc.co.uk, he said: “I would like to thank all the agencies involved as well as the council for their support in this matter.

“I would also like to thank Shaun Harvey and the EFL as well as Michael James (Prescott Business Parks) for their support.”

Meanwhile, Bolton’s players have called upon the Professional Footballers’ Association and the English Football League to intervene over their unpaid wages for last month.

The squad has returned to training after refusing to do so while non-playing staff were waiting to be paid.

In a statement issued to the Bolton News, they said: “We are happy that our actions have resulted in the non-playing staff being paid their March salaries.

“Unfortunately, none of the players or management staff have been paid yet and we have now asked the PFA and Football League to deal with the situation on our behalf.

“We will now be focusing all of our attention on getting a result in Saturday’s huge game against Ipswich.”


Click here for more stories about Ken Anderson

Click here for more stories about Bolton Wanderers

Share this article now:

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool33257175205582
2Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
4Arsenal32196765402563
5Chelsea32196755342163
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Leicester CityLeicester33145144644247
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
9Everton33137134642446
10Watford32137124747046
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham32126144148-742
12Crystal Palace33116163943-439
13Bournemouth33115174461-1738
14Burnley33106174060-2036
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3398163143-1235
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
17Southampton3289153653-1733
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3335251963-4414

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account