PHIL Parkinson has urged Laurence Bassini to leave Bolton Wanderers alone and allow the club to start rebuilding.

Speaking after an incredible 0-0 draw against Coventry City in which he named the youngest-ever starting line-up in Wanderers’ 145-year history, the Bolton boss let fly at Bassini for stopping the takeover in its track this week.

The former Watford owner filed an injunction at Manchester High Court this week which blocked the sale of parent company Burnden Leisure Limited and cast doubt on the club’s future.

The latest drama in an agonising summer proved the final straw for senior players, who withdrew their services prior to kick-off.

The resulting team, which had five players making their full debut and a starting line-up with an average age of just 19, is thought to be one of, in not the youngest ever named in English football.

“The lads had to send a message today,” Parkinson said after the game.

“We have done our bit. Throughout the pre-season the staff have come in unpaid. We had Ben Williams taking the goalkeepers today – he hasn’t been paid, hasn’t got a contract, but keeps coming in.

“We have organised pre-season professionally, brought players in on trial, played friendlies behind closed doors.

“The lads came in today and did exceptionally. Nicky Spooner and Gav McCann deserve a lot of credit for what they have done and their preparation with the team.

“But now it’s down to the people behind the scenes to do their bit. No more messing about.

“Get your heads together quickly and sort this mess out because everybody is absolutely sick and tired of it.

“Mr Bassini, leave us alone. Please, just leave us alone. Leave this great club alone to get on with rebuilding its future, putting it back together.

“That’s my message – as a staff, right the way through, people have done their bit. Now whether it’s administrators, new people buying the club, trustees, old owners of the club, whoever it is, come on, get yourself sorted and out of this mess quickly.”

Parkinson was overjoyed by the players’ performance, which earned a first point of the season against the odds.

“The lads have done us proud today,” he said. “What a day, what an experience. The crowd cheered every pass, every tackle, everything. I said to them beforehand that they were never going to get a better day to make their debut because the crowd was going to be right behind them all the way.

“I think they responded to the crowd, and they responded to the players in equal measures.

“It’s an uplifting day for us, the staff, the players and the club. I am very pleased with the desire of the players to embrace the occasion.

“We were obviously concerned because Coventry are one of the teams fancied to be in the top six, they weren’t far off last year and have just signed Matt Godden, who is a good player.

“There were some big performances. Our keeper was excellent – some of the saves he made were first class. Yes, the linesman helped us out, but I think today we deserved that.”