Bolton’s Sky Bet League One home game with Doncaster on Tuesday has been postponed, amid welfare concerns for their young squad.
Wanderers, currently in administration, are awaiting the completion of a takeover by Football Ventures and in the meantime are unable to sign new players – meaning they have had to field youth players in every match so far this season.
The club’s administrators have said in a statement that asking the teenagers to play again against Doncaster would be “detrimental to the welfare and development” of the young players.
“It is with real regret and a deepening sense of frustration that we have been forced to postpone tomorrow’s fixture against Doncaster Rovers,” began the statement.
“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.”
The game against Doncaster is the first time that Bolton have had to suspend a match, although the club’s opening game of the season against Wycombe was under threat until the EFL confirmed that Wanderers had provided sufficient evidence of financial viability.
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson has filled his starting line-ups with youth players for each game this season, including fielding the youngest team in the club’s history in their goalless draw against Coventry on August 10.
The takeover by Football Ventures had been blocked by a court order, issued by Laurence Bassini, who had tried to buy the club earlier this year before the deal fell through.
