Bolton Wanderers face anxious wait after EFL deadline passes

Fans of Bolton and Bury have united as the two clubs face possible expulsion from the English Football League

Bolton Wanderers fans face an anxious wait after Tuesday's 17:00 BST deadline to finalise a takeover passed.

The League One club, in administration since May, have said "discussions are ongoing with all parties" and that a further statement would be issued "later on Tuesday".

A proposed takeover by Football Ventures (Whites) Limited appeared to have collapsed on Saturday.

Bolton's administrators have warned they are on the brink of liquidation.

In a statement issued on Monday, they said if they were unable to resurrect the move the club was "not in a position to carry on trading" and was set to enter liquidation, leading to the "inevitable loss of more than 150 jobs".

Should a takeover not go through, a 14-day notice of withdrawal of the Trotters' membership of the EFL could also be reinstated.

• Bury takeover bid falls through as deadline looms

"The current situation cannot continue," the EFL said in a statement issued on Saturday, prior to Monday's news.

"If a successful conclusion to a sale is not found or there are no credible plans for the club to continue the season in administration by the planned board meeting at 17:00 BST on Tuesday 27 August 2019, then the EFL board will consider lifting the suspension on the notice of withdrawal of the club's membership of the league."

The proposed takeover has been beset with problems for weeks and is still waiting to be completed.

Laurence Bassini, who failed with his own bid to buy the club before it went into administration, was awarded a court order blocking the sale on 8 August.

That was amended and adjourned six days later, but the troubled club are now on the brink of disaster.

Earlier on Tuesday, it was announced that C&N Sporting Risk's proposed takeover of fellow League One side Bury had fallen through, with the Shakers now facing expulsion from the EFL.

How did Bolton reach this point?

• Bolton were relegated from the Premier League in 2012

• Four years later their football existence was threatened before former striker Dean Holdsworth was part of a takeover at the club

• Anderson took control after Holdsworth's company Sports Shield were wound up

• Wanderers entered administration in May after being relegated from the Championship, before Football Ventures agreed a deal to take over the club

• The deal was almost stopped after Laurence Bassini, who had bid to buy the club before administration, was awarded a court order blocking the sale on 8 August

• The court order was adjourned paving the way for the takeover to continue before it eventually collapsed

• The club called off their match against Doncaster last week citing welfare concerns having only five senior outfield players available

• Boss Phil Parkinson resigned on Thursday after three years with the club and a young side lost 5-0 against Ipswich on Saturday