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A beautiful sunny Monday morning down in London could easily become a dark day in the history of Bolton Wanderers if a certain judge is in a sour mood today.
Bolton once again find themselves at peril of administration or even liquidation as they prepare to face the powers that be in the High Court.
Wanderers are in court over unpaid taxes to HMRC but, like our last appearance, this could also be an opportunity for us to find out what exactly is going on at the club. Namely, just how big is our debt? What is Eddie Davies up to? And what's going on with all this takeover malarkey?
We'll bring you updates from the High Court below, and you can also follow all the 'action' from court on our Twitter page, brought to you by our own @SuperWhiteSmurf.
We're expecting proceedings in the court to begin around 10.30am, with Bolton
Fingers crossed...
4.17pm:
A bit more insight into the dire situation Bolton now find themselves in, from one of our guys in court this afternoon
FL will monitor BWFC monthly. Special reporting measures to Aug 2018. Some form of embargo on player trading. Out of the woods? NO WAY!
— George Bower (@ContinuumCFP) March 7, 2016
@LionOfViennaSte FL approval conditional to 08/2018. Special reporting needed each month. Embargo on player trading. That's what FL say.
— George Bower (@ContinuumCFP) March 7, 2016
4.05pm:
And we now have a club statement on the issue, here, which isn't worth the 'paper' it's written on.
Club statement doesn't mention the long suffering fans. Bit poor that #bwfc
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
4.00pm:
And in case you're still in any doubt about what's happened or what the implications are / will be:
@MarcusHoare1 #bwfc got two weeks to complete takeover and pay off debts. That can be done but it's what happens next that's very worrying.
— Ian Firth (@SuperWhiteSmurf) March 7, 2016
3.45pm:
Blackburn fans aren't very happy with us either
@SkySportsNewsHQ how many times are we going to read this. Pay what you owe #bwfc
— Bluenwhiteblood (@Bluenwhiteblood) March 7, 2016
3.40pm:
Our man Dan Murphy has a new love in his life. As should all Bolton fans.
— Dan Murphy (@Murbroski) March 7, 2016
3.33pm:
And this summarises what a lot of people are saying on Twitter:
If Bolton could win games like they did court adjournments then they'd be top of the championship by now #bwfc
— Robbeh (@ManLikeWilly) March 7, 2016
3.27pm:
Make no mistake, there's only one person we have to thank for today
Hillary Stonefrost
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
3.25pm:
This from a Huddersfield fan probably sums up how most other clubs feel about Bolton right now. And you can't blame them.
Any fan who has seen their club go through financial issues/admin will have sympathy for #bwfc fans right now.
— Thrice Champions (@HTAFCPodcast) March 7, 2016
However, the way #bwfc have acted as a club and through it's officials both this season & in the past means that sympathy is waning.
— Thrice Champions (@HTAFCPodcast) March 7, 2016
3.20pm:
So to summarise, we came very very very close to being liquidated today. And we now have two more weeks to pay the outstanding tax bill, or else we absolutely will be.
It's now time for Eddie Davies, Sports Shield, Trevor Birch and anyone associated with the takeover process to put their own personal pride to one side and make sure we still have a football club on March 21st.
Judge grants #BWFC further adjournment but says this is the last time. "The club has stretched judicial discretion." PRAISE JESUS.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
3.17pm:
HMRC will not be happy, they really really wanted to liquidate us
HMRC right now #BWFC pic.twitter.com/llbweJc6da
— Jamie Moss (@jamie_moss123) March 7, 2016
3.16pm:
And this...
Also worth noting that if we don't get a deal done before the next court date (TBC) then we are very likely to be liquidated. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
3.15pm:
And finally a decision
Judge grants #BWFC further adjournment but says this is the last time. "The club has stretched judicial discretion." PRAISE JESUS.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
3.10pm:
Ohhhkay then
HMRC say that payment in full is still unlikely and judge says he will exercise discretion as #BWFC have paid some money via current acc.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.54pm:
Oh boy... Really not sounding good now
Court just hearing that Eddie Davies has filed a notice of administration, essentially preparing for the worst. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.52pm:
And there's more. HMRC is well and truly going for the jugular
HMRC saying our deal isn't fully done and has no guarantees of being able to get them their money. #BWFC deny.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.51pm:
Those of a nervous disposition, look away now..
HMRC say the club is insolvent and it will not improve any time soon. They want to liquidate us. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
HMRC saying that we've been "on the verge" twice before and nothing has happened. They've got a point. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.50pm:
#BWFC saying that admin would be disaster. 350+ jobs lost etc. We need extra time to stop that happening.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.32pm:
What a shambles this is becoming
As SS investor has dropped out, #BWFC have to prove that they can replace that funding. That's the reason for the current delay.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
There's no telling which way this could go. It's all down to the judge and HMRC's side of the argument now. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.20pm:
Sounds like its getting a bit difficult in court
Things getting complicated in court. Another short adjournment. The saga continues... #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
FL granted conditional approval only. Not able to fully approve deal due to an SS investor dropping out. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
FL have granted conditional approval only. Funding from a second investor who says can provide more funds later. FL not able to approve yet.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
2.16pm:
They do say no news, is good news...
2.05pm:
Legal proceedings as nervy as watching Bolton 'defend'
I'm terrified. Come on Bolton.
— Dan Murphy (@Murbroski) March 7, 2016
1.57pm:
Couldn't agree more..
Down to judge now for #bwfc - personally think club will ask for 2/3 days to pay and complete. Should NEVER have come to this...
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) March 7, 2016
1.50pm:
Ten minutes to go... Should be back in court around 2pm, and we should still have a source in the courtroom..
12.15pm:
And a bit more of an update
As reported FL approved takeover Sun night and club looking for an adjournment so monies can be transferred. Judge to decide at 2pm.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
10.58am:
Put those champagne bottles back on ice, we may not be out of the woods just yet..
HMRC objected to #BWFC request for for further delay but as Judge doing VO with #BWFC at 2pm he's delayed until then.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
10.56am:
She's not wrong...
more adjournments than wins #bwfc
— Amy (@amyface94) March 7, 2016
10.55am:
And a bit more on that stay of execution. Fingers crossed and breath held until 2pm.
Validation order being done at 2pm so judge decided to do whole session then
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
10.51am:
Good news travels fast...
BREAKING: The Football League HAVE approved the Sports Shield take over bid of Bolton Wanderers. #BWFC
— FootballLeagueWorld (@FLeagueWorld) March 7, 2016
10.50am:
The case has been adjourned until 2pm, presumably so that the deal can be done with Sports Shield, you'd assume..
Here we go. Case adjourned until 2pm in Room 11
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
10.44am:
The 'dream team' is in place
Same team as last time representing #BWFC.
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
10.43am:
Legal proceedings are under way, still 15 or so more until Wanderers are up...
In court. Due to libel laws I can't give out what rumours are this morning. I have to wait until it's announced in court. Court in session!!
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
10.42am:
Not a rumour as such.. but topical all the same. Deano is nearing officially becoming Bolton Wanderers chairman
Just seen Dean Holdsworth at Court #bwfc pic.twitter.com/2JxzzeNSXf
— Jimmy Donnelly (@j1mwah84) March 7, 2016
10.40am:
A rumour direct from the court now, that Trevor Birch has apparently told a member of the Supporters' Trust Steering Group he has confirmed the Football League's approval of the Sports Shield bid. Now it's just down to the court confirming the extension so funds can be transferred.
Let's just hope the judge is in a good mood..
10.36am:
And a bit more good news, possibly. Seems as though the Football League has approved the Sports Shield takeover bid.
(Not Ian, again) The Football League HAVE approved the Sports Shield take over bid! #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016
#bwfc applying for extension. Sports Shield claim all funds and docs in place. FL approval also given. #imnothere
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) March 7, 2016
10.30am:
First rumour of the morning is in...
Ian isn't tweeting this, but back home at LoVS HQ we're hearing that the Football League approved the Sport Shield deal last night. #BWFC
— Lion of Vienna Suite (@LionOfViennaSte) March 7, 2016