PHIL Parkinson and members of his first team coaching staff have NOT been paid bonuses for keeping the club in the Championship last season, The Bolton News understands.

Information has come to light which reveals money is still owed to the Bolton boss, his assistant Steve Parkin, and other senior coaching staff nearly six months after the club sealed their survival with a last-day victory over Nottingham Forest.

Back in July, players boycotted a pre-season friendly against St Mirren because they had not been paid bonuses owed for staying up, plus other targets such as goal-scoring and appearances.

After Wanderers owner Ken Anderson initially said he would not be “blackmailed or threatened” into settling with the playing squad, the impasse was broken with the help of the Professional Footballer’s Association before the start of the season.

We have now learned, however, that Parkinson’s contractual bonus for keeping the club in the division was not paid at the same time.

The Bolton News contacted Wanderers for clarification yesterday but the club has declined to comment.

The revelation comes just a few days after an email on behalf of Anderson was sent out to staff saying it had not been possible to pay all staff wages on Friday morning. This was later qualified, with only playing and coaching staff having to wait for their November salary.

Senior players sought clarification from Anderson on Friday on the whereabouts of their money and were assured it would be paid into accounts by December 6.

Parkinson was pleased with the reaction from his squad on Saturday against Wigan, even though they failed to register a first win since September.

Two draws in his last three games, and a slender defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, represent a measure of improvement in the manager’s personal view.

“The last three games, Millwall we were excellent, Sheffield Wednesday were there for the taking – it was a flat performance from both teams but we were the better side and conceded from a set play – and there, we’ll take the point,” he said.

“Two of the last three games we’ve been a lot better. We have been in every game, barring the Forest and Sheffield United game were the two where you’d admit we were beaten by far superior teams. But every game we were right in there.”