WANDERERS' long-suffering supporters were dealt another blow today, with the news that talks on a proposed takeover have ended, with the Football Ventures (Whites) consortium believed to have pulled out of the deal.

The Bolton News understands the four-strong consortium led by Parminder Basran and Sharon Brittan have withdrawn their interest, meaning chairman Ken Anderson remains in situ as the club's majority shareholder.

Anderson has admitted he was keen to sell the club to someone who had the necessary finances to move the club forward with stability. However, it seems the decision of the consortium – who had done what is commonly known as due diligence and investigated the club's finances – not to continue with their purchase will blacken the mood at the Whites further.

In addition to seeking alternative buyers, Anderson must now turn his attention to the impending hearing at the High Court, to answer a winding-up order issued by HM Revenue and Customs, the second from HMRC this year.

In addition to Wednesday's hearing there is the matter of staff wages, due at the end of the month.

February's salaries for employees of the club, the Whites Hotel and offices at the University of Bolton Stadium were paid late, with non-playing staff waiting a week for their wages.

While full-time staff were notified they may not be paid on time, there was no communication from the club with their part-time employees, many of whom discovered the news on social media platforms or by word of mouth.

That situation was only resolved after Bolton Council threatened to have last Saturday's game at home to Millwall called off due to safety concerns after it became clear many stewards and turnstile operatives were planning to withdraw their services over the wage issue.

The playing staff received their wages shortly before the 14-day mark – at which they could have their contracts cancelled and leave the club – was reached.

Club caterers Heathcote & Co had also threatened to withdraw from their association with Wanderers over unpaid bills, an amount thought to be in the region of £250,000 for outstanding costs and payment for matchday catering staff.

The finances at Wanderers also saw the Eddie Davies Academy at Lostock closed unexpectedly for a day earlier this month.

With the necessary diesel generators not fuelled until later in the day there was no power supply or food at the training ground, and those players who had been asked to report for training were told to stay at home.

Anderson, who revealed he has been advised by the police not to attend matches after receiving abuse online, penned his latest set of chairman's notes earlier this week, which many took to be his farewell sign-off.

The chairman thanks the staff, coaches and players for their support during his time at the helm, reminisced at the success of the last two seasons and issued an overdue apology to those whose lives had been affected by the wage problems.

Now, though, he must now go back to the drawing board and decide how best to steer the ship in ever-more trying times for Bolton Wanderers.