Cash-strapped Bolton sell training ground, Wigan to move in
Bolton have confirmed the sale of their Euxton training base, with north west rivals Wigan set to move in before the start of next season.
The Sky Bet Championship club confirmed the news in a statement on Friday morning in which they said “another north west football club” is the buyer.
That club has been confirmed as Wigan.
The old ROF Chorley Sports Ground has been Bolton’s home for more than 15 years.
The statement read: “Bolton Wanderers can announce that the club has concluded a deal to sell its Euxton training ground.
“The facility will now be solely owned by Huron Properties, with another north west football club set to be based at the Euxton site from this coming summer.
“In the period leading up to Easter, the Bolton Wanderers first team and backroom staff will begin a process to relocate permanently to a combination of both the club’s Lostock training ground and Macron Stadium.”
Bolton are in financial difficulties with £185million worth of debt, although owner Eddie Davies is willing to write that off as part of any takeover of the club.
An announcement over new owners could be made very soon, according to reports.
Three separate parties are understood to be in the running to take over the cash-strapped club and BBC Radio Manchester has claimed a decision may be made before Saturday’s home league game against QPR.
Billionaire investment banker Roger Tamraz has emerged as the latest party keen to take control at the Macron Stadium, while the Sports Shield consortium, fronted by former striker Dean Holdsworth, and Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust have also held talks with the club.
Bolton are scheduled to appear in the High Court again on Monday after being served with a winding-up order over an unpaid tax bill of £2.2million.
The club avoided moves to have the club wound up immediately in the High Court last month when they were given a five-week extension until February 22 to find a rescue scheme.
Bolton, who revealed their staff were not paid on time in January, are currently bottom of the Championship table, seven points adrift of safety.
Wigan have confirmed the purchase, with the first team remaining at Christopher Park until May before beginning 2016-17 pre-season training at Euxton.
Latics chairman David Sharpe told the club’s official website: “It’s integral to our future success that we have a high quality first team training ground, and an Academy based in one location enabling it to grow and develop the players of the future.”