League Championship side Bolton Wanderers confirmed its first-team players have "yet to receive their wages for November," according to the London GUARDIAN. A statement, published on the club's official website on Monday, said, "Bolton Wanderers Football Club can today, Monday 30 November, confirm that the first team playing squad are yet to receive their wages for the month of November. This is due to the ongoing situation surrounding the club's ownership off the field." Trevor Birch, who was recently appointed as adviser to the club's board, said, "This is due to a short-term funding issue. We are working hard behind the scenes and hope to have this resolved in a quick and timely manner and I will be meeting the players tomorrow to update them" (GUARDIAN, 11/30). In London, Mark Ogden reported club Manager Neil Lennon is "battling to steer the team to safety" as "reclusive" Owner Eddie Davies "attempts to sell up, having promised to write off more than" £170M ($256M) worth of loans to the club. Despite the "dismal run of results this season, Lennon retains the backing" of the majority of supporters. Few "blame Lennon for the club's predicament," with Chair Phil Gartside the man "largely in the firing line as a result of decisions made, and money spent, during his tenure." Former Bolton player Dean Holdsworth "is fronting one consortium attempting to buy the club," with Greek player Stelios Giannakopoulos "involved with a rival bidder." With Davies "prepared to clear Bolton's debts, the club at least appears to be insulated from the financial issues that have afflicted" Blackburn and Blackpool since their "respective relegations from the Premier League" (TELEGRAPH, 11/29).
