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Men's Football Bolton forced to postpone Doncaster match

BOLTON’S League One home game with Doncaster tomorrow has been postponed, amid welfare concerns for their young squad.

Wanderers, currently in administration, are awaiting the completion of a takeover by Football Ventures and in the meantime are unable to sign new players — meaning they have had to field youth players in every match so far this season.

The club’s administrators have said in a statement that asking the teenagers to play again against Doncaster would be “detrimental to the welfare and development” of the young players.

“It is with real regret and a deepening sense of frustration that we have been forced to postpone tomorrow’s fixture,” began the statement. “Whilst the threat of further EFL sanctions is obvious, nothing can be allowed to impact on the welfare of such a young group of players.”

The statement continued: “With so many senior players injured or unavailable, the squad has performed heroically and deserves so much credit.

“But after consultation with the club’s medical staff, it is obvious that to call on them for another match without an adequate break would be detrimental to both their welfare and development which cannot be allowed.

“We were able to bring in reinforcements before the match against Coventry because the deal was so close to completion. Now, following recent events, the legal position of various parties has altered which means a delay in completion. In this situation, it is very difficult to attract available players to the club.

“I will be discussing the implications with the EFL but in the meantime, I would call on all parties involved with the acquisition of the club and hotel to end this intolerable delay and secure once and for all the future of Bolton Wanderers.”

Bolton began the season with a 12-point deduction after entering administration and have drawn one and lost two of their opening three fixtures.

This is the first fixture they have had to suspend, their opening game against Wycombe was under threat until the Football League confirmed that Wanderers had provided sufficient evidence of financial viability.

Doncaster Rovers were completely in the dark over Bolton’s decision to call off tonight’s match and will continue to prepare for the match until they are advised otherwise.

They are the second club in the division to have entered administration over the summer, with Bury facing the possibility of going out of existence if they fail to find a buyer by Friday.

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