Bolton players under ‘severe mental and emotional stress’ after 20 weeks without being paid

Members of the Wanderers squad say they and the coaching staff have not been paid for 20 weeks, while they returned to pre-season to find their training facilities locked up

(Getty)

Bolton’s players have revealed they are under “severe mental and emotional stress” after not being paid by the club.

Members of the Wanderers squad say they and the coaching staff have not been paid for 20 weeks, while they returned to pre-season to find their training facilities locked up.

Their pre-season friendly match against Chester on Friday has been cancelled after the playing staff issued a joint-statement revealing what it’s been like for them on their return from pre-season.

The players say their personal lives have suffered and the club has not offered any support.

The League One club is currently in administration as prospective buyers attempt to complete a takeover.

In the joint statement, the players said: "The players and coaching staff have not been paid by the club for 20 weeks and the administrators have not offered any financial assistance. It is our understanding that there are sufficient funds to provide financial help immediately, but there has been none.

"As we have stated in a previous statement, all this has caused severe mental and emotional stress, affecting both our professional and personal lives, and this has now only increased. Certain individuals are in need of support and none has been forthcoming from the club.

"With the new season looming, it is becoming impossible to prepare correctly for the challenge ahead.

"Contracted players and staff have returned to what they hoped would be a resolved situation and a fresh start for everyone.

The Bolton players and staff were hoping to return to a resolution (Getty)

"They have undertaken their duties and obligations with diligence and professionalism but how long is it reasonable for us to do so without being paid?"

Bolton administrator Paul Appleton reassured the players that they will be paid once a deal has been reached a deal to sell the club but also accused their statement of being “riddled with factual inaccuracies”.

Appleton’s statement via the club website read: "I have seen the statement released by the players today. While it is riddled with factual inaccuracies, their position is understandable and one with which I have a great deal of sympathy.

"The fact they have not been paid would appear to have had a major impact on their collective mindset.

"The ongoing situation has been continuously explained to them by Phil Parkinson. My team and I have been in dialogue with him since the first day of the administration.

"We have also spoken to various agents, the PFA, and the LMA to keep them apprised of the situation.

"As football creditors, Phil, his staff and the players will get paid in full once the deal has been completed. This is in contrast to other creditors, who will receive nothing approaching that level of compensation.

"Yes, the players have had to suffer hardship in terms of limited training facilities but decisions had to be taken in terms of finances and the need to prioritise payment of club staff was an overriding factor.

"And, with the greatest respect to the players, they do not have a full understanding or appreciation of the club's ongoing financial position. I am working within a budget to keep this club alive until a sale is completed.

"However, the fact is I share many of the same frustrations as the players, the staff and all the fans who have shown incredible resilience and patience throughout this process.

"We have reached a stage in the deal to sell the club to Football Ventures and are working tirelessly to complete the transaction.

"One outstanding element of the deal, which is not under my control, is the sale of Whites Hotel. Football Ventures' ownership model, one supported by the EFL, is based on a deal for both the club and hotel, so I would encourage all parties involved to act swiftly to ensure the pressing timeframe for completion is met.

"I would implore everybody to drive through this deal and ensure this great football club is restored to its rightful position."

Additional reporting by PA