Bolton chairman claims EFL issued him with embargo advice

Despite a strong denial from Forest Green chief Dale Vince, the Bolton owner insists the deal to sign Doidge on a permanent basis is not dead in the water.

Furthermore, he believes Remi Matthews – who returned to Norwich City on Saturday, and Gary O’Neil, who the club say is currently injured, also have a future at Bolton.

The EFL confirmed yesterday that a registration embargo had been placed on Wanderers, which is understood to have been the result of owing money to football creditors, including the PFA.

But Anderson claims the EFL also issued him with guidance on how all three players could have been registered for the FA Cup third round.

Writing on the official website, Anderson said: “Regarding player registrations, the EFL agreed with us on Friday as to how we could register the three players for last weekend’s game against Walsall.

“As previously stated we are still hopeful of registering the three players and the manager has told me that having spoken to them all, the players want to stay with us. Hopefully, this will be achieved.”

Anderson also addressed accusations of wrongdoing from Forest Green chief Vince.

He added: “I found the chairman of Forest Green Rovers Dale Vince’s media comments very disrespectful and misleading to say the least. Both he and I verbally agreed in August 2018 that the first instalment for Christian Doidge’s transfer would be paid as and when we received the January 2019 EFL distribution.

“This still remains the case despite his attempts to also try and bring an additional £250,000 payment forward to August 2019/January 2020 in addition to the already contracted £250,000 as well. This request was firmly rejected.

“For my part, I will not drop to the levels that he did in his various allegations to the press as I believe it will serve no practical purpose. The EFL statement is the best way forward as far as I am concerned.”