TIM Ream says boardroom uncertainty was a major contributing factor in Wanderers fall from the Premier League.

Speaking in Fulham’s match-day programme, the American admits ownership issues had been affecting the players even before Eddie Davies sold the club to Ken Anderson and Dean Holdsworth in March 2016.

Ream joined Bolton from New York Red Bulls in January 2012 and played 125 times before linking up with Fulham in 2015.

And he said his time at the Macron had been blighted by rumours about the financial state of the club.

“They had some ownership issues and some cash-flow problems, even going back to when they were in the Prem, and that’s the biggest thing which killed them – they had so much uncertainty at board level it trickled down,” Ream said.

“I wouldn’t say it was toxic but it was borderline; there were lots of whispers and it’s not good for any club to hear these rumours and wonder if your next pay cheque is coming in on time. That played into their struggles.

“It’s nice to see them back in this league but they are finding it harder in the Championship because it’s a different animal than League One.”