THE future of Bolton Wanderers Football Club will potentially be decided in the High Court today as a £1million-plus winding-up petition from HMRC is heard for the first time.

The collapse of a takeover by the Football Ventures consortium on Friday has placed the club into a perilous position, particularly if Revenue and Customs aggressively seek liquidation, rather than administration.

Liquidation would see the company effectively closed and contracts cancelled, whereas administration would incur a 12-point penalty from the EFL – effectively ensuring relegation to League One – but is a more costly process and would need to be funded.

Current owner Ken Anderson maintains he is still in discussion with potential buyers and may seek an adjournment from the judge to give him extra time to complete a deal.

The Monaco-based 67-year-old may also look to personally settle the bill prior to the case, which will be heard after 11.30am.

As reported by The Bolton News on Friday, the group comprised of Parminder Basran, Sharon Brittan, Jeff Thomas and Michael James shelved plans to buy the club, where debts have stacked up significantly in recent months.

After a significant delay in paying staff and players their February salary – which nearly led to the cancellation of a home game against Millwall - Anderson had announced on February 24 that he had reached an agreement in principle to sell his 94.5 per cent stake in Wanderers’ parent company, Burnden Leisure Limited. On March 6 Anderson said he was hopeful the deal would be completed “by the end of the week.”

Financial issues have cropped up with regularity and on Monday night customers at the Whites Hotel were informed the credit facility had been withdrawn and that all food and drink must be purchased with cash.

Earlier this week the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust urged all stakeholders in the club to work together and find a solution.

“The current breakdown in negotiations between Mr Anderson and the Football Ventures (Whites) consortium leaves the club governance matters in a precarious state. With the court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, the future of BWFC is, once again, in serious doubt,” a statement read. n view of this, we are making a plea from the heart for all parties to work together to achieve a resolution. As well as Mr Anderson and Mr Basran (Football Ventures consortium), we implore the other stakeholders and club creditors to show a willingness to achieve a future for BWFC.

“Undoubtedly, some compromise will be needed. And all parties have a significant part to play.”