WANDERERS could make a late dash to come out of a transfer embargo after Ken Anderson completed a deal to become sole owner today.
The club chairman announced his company, Inner Circle Investments, had sealed an agreement with liquidators Quantuma to purchase the 37.5 per cent of shares formerly owned by Dean Holdsworth’s Sports Shield BWFC, taking their overall stake to 95 per cent.
Mr Anderson has also agreed a new arrangement with BluMarble finance, which leaves the path clear for him to present a business plan to the Football League and request the removal of transfer restrictions, which have been in place since December 2015.
It is expected paperwork will be completed on the new arrangement in between 24 to 48 hours.
Wanderers have been unable to pay a fee for a permanent or loan signing during the entirety of Phil Parkinson’s tenure as manager.
“I am extremely pleased that this matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion and we can now all concentrate on taking the business forward without any further off-field distractions, which have been so publicly aired in the past,” said Mr Anderson in a club statement.
“I would very much like to thank BluMarble for all of their co-operation in swiftly concluding the situation in respect of the outstanding loan. Throughout these negotiations their desire was to minimise any damage to the business and have remained very supportive of the football club.
“I’d like to thank all our loyal fans for their continued patience and support throughout this period when people who do not have the best interests in our football club have tried to destabilise the business for their own benefit.
“Now, with this issue fully resolved we can now all fully concentrate on supporting Phil Parkinson, his staff and the players without any distractions.”
Shabbir Khiliji, the Bolton-based businessman, had mounted a rival bid for control of the club and had still been hoping to seal a deal up until yesterday afternoon.
It is understood the EFL had indicated to Andrew Hosking, who was acting on behalf of Quantuma, that serious penalties could be imposed on the club if an agreement was not reached within a specific time frame.
The possibility of a 12 or even 14-point deduction had been mooted, which would have almost certainly condemned the club to relegation and made it more difficult to sell in the long run.
That prompted all parties into action yesterday afternoon, with an announcement made just a few hours after Holdsworth’s resignation had been confirmed from all positions at the Macron Stadium.
Wanderers have been restricted to a 23-man professional staff for the last two seasons under the terms of the transfer embargo and were able to pay a maximum weekly wage of just £4,500 to new signings within that limit.
It remains to be seen whether the embargo can be shifted on deadline day itself but the club may be able to seek dispensation from the EFL to add new recruits on the proviso it is in the pipeline.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel