A ROW over legal protection for the Macron Stadium has escalated further, after Bolton Wanderers’ owner said he cannot see the club ‘working in harmony’ with the supporters’ trust.

Ken Anderson today criticised Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust chairman Daniel Izza for refusing to back down over the club owner’s attempts to have the stadium and surrounding land declassified as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

Mr Anderson believes that a battle over the listing, which prevents the club selling the Macron without public notification, will hamper his refinancing plans, but supporters say it is there to protect Wanderers’ long-term future.

A private council hearing to decide whether or not the ACV will be lifted, at which both the club and the trust will put forward their cases, is scheduled for October 2.

The club owner said: “I have read the comments expressed by Daniel Izza, the chairman of the BWST, concerning the ACV which are of course disappointing, but not unexpected.

“I have already expressed my views on this matter and won’t be commenting any further at this time other than to say that l have received many expressions of support from Trust members and from what l have seen on social media, not all those involved in the Trust share Daniel’s opinions.

“Hopefully, he consulted the members before submitting the application, although my experience to date has shown that this has not always been the case.

“As it stands, l cannot see the club working in tandem and harmony with the Trust going forward, but we will continue to work with the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association, who we have found to be far more supportive and helpful in trying to assist the club in its quest for financial stability and success on and off the field.”

Mr Izza responded: “It is regrettable that he has decided to make things personal. We, as a trust, don’t want to make anything personal about what we are doing.

“He has previously said that he has enjoyed working with the trust and now he has said he can’t.

“So far as the ACV is concerned, we have asked him what he wants it removed for and he won’t tell us.

“What we are doing is for the benefit of the club and our door will remain open to him should he want to discuss what his plans are.”

He added that a majority of supporters’ trust members agreed to the principle of the ACV in a questionnaire, adding that it was also supported by Bolton’s three MPs. Mr Izza said: “We have done everything by the book.”