Facing Liquidation, Bolton Wanderers -10000 Odds for England League One Relegation
By John Dillon in Soccer News
Updated: April 7, 2020 at 10:13 am EDTPublished:
- Historic EFL club on brink of extinction amid financial chaos
- Take-over could save them but staying up would still be a battle
- Southend United already in major trouble in drop zone
Bolton Wanderers is one of the most historic teams in English football but they are facing the threat of extinction because of chaos in their business affairs off the pitch.
However, it is actually rare for clubs in England to go out of business. If they survive, the Wanderers are still likely to be relegated from the EFL’s League One.
EFL League One 2019-20 Relegation Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bolton Wanderers | -10000 |
| Southend United | +165 |
| Accrington Stanley | +175 |
| AFC Wimbledon | +200 |
| Tranmere Rovers | +350 |
| Gillingham | +400 |
| Rochdale | +400 |
| Bristol Rovers | +800 |
| MK Dons | +1200 |
| Shrewsbury Town | +1200 |
*Odds taken at 2019/08/27
At odds of -10000 for them to drop into League Two, there is little value on offer. But a calculated assessment of the situation could deliver some return.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dlf6YXtJis
The best value bet for relegation from League One at present is Southend United at +165.
They have lost all five opening games after narrowly escaping relegation on the final day of last season. They are 22nd in the 24-team division. They have conceded 14 league goals already this season.
Rescued From Drop
Kevin Bond was appointed Southend’s temporary manager at the end of last season and rescued them from relegation.
But he has been unable so far in this campaign to make any inroads in dealing with the team’s problems and the weakness of the squad.
Bolton Wanderers face going into liquidation after the proposed sale of the club collapsed and have been given until 5pm on Tuesday by the EFL for a takeover to be completed
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 26, 2019
There is a crisis at the bottom end of League One, with Greater Manchester team Bolton’s near neighbors Bury also threatened with extinction because of their business troubles.
Bolton were first formed in 1874. They were founder members of the Football League in 1888
But the calculation regarding Wanderers must be that they will face an extremely tough remainder of the season if they do continue to operate – and are highly unlikely to stay up.
Bolton was first formed in 1874. They were founder members of the Football League in 1888.
They began this campaign with a 12-point deduction in accordance with EFL rules regarding the fact that they had been placed in business administration.
This meant their affairs were under outside control to avoid bankruptcy.
One Point in Four Games
They have since earned only one point in four games, with the current league table showing their tally at -11.
Any attempt to catch up and simply reach zero points will be hugely difficult even if new owners take charge – particularly as the squad will be weak.
Match report from another frustrating afternoon for Blues https://t.co/OByEtQl0I7
— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) August 24, 2019
The team has been made up largely of youth section players while senior professionals have been unpaid because of the financial crisis.
They have lost their most recent two matches 5-0 against Ipswich Town and Tranmere Rovers. They are next due to face fellow strugglers Gillingham away from home on Saturday, August 31, at 10:00 am EST.
The manager, Phil Parkinson, has resigned with youth academy manager Jimmy Phillips taking temporary command.
A match against Doncaster Rovers in League One was called off because Wanderers had only five senior players available.
The manager, Phil Parkinson, has resigned with youth academy manager Jimmy Phillips taking temporary command.
Take-over Deadline
The latest in a series of take-over attempts were said to be in place last week. However, it collapsed last Friday.
As a lifelong @buryfcofficial fan I've hated #BoltonWanderers.
Cried when they beat us and laughed everytime they lost.
Not anymore though, not when our fans are brothers (and sisters) in arms.
I want them to win this battle, just as much as I want #Bury to win our own battle. pic.twitter.com/Abh8yrL005— Doonhamer Shaker (@Skjowitt) August 26, 2019
A deadline of 12 noon EST on Tuesday, August 27 was set for a take-over deal to be struck – or liquidation procedures could begin.
However, the administrator – the independent official placed in charge of attempting to make a take-over happen—said early on Tuesday that he was hopeful of “a positive outcome.”
Best League One relegation bet: Southend (+165)
Sports Writer
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
