THE EFL carefully scrutinised every aspect of Football Ventures’ takeover of Wanderers, according to chairman Sharon Brittan.

The league have come under fire for their procedures after the serious financial problems at both Bolton and Bury in recent months.

The Whites are in the early days of a new era but the Shakers are fighting for their future after becoming the first club to be expelled from the Football League since 1992.

Questions have been asked about the league’s owners’ and directors’ test, but Brittan says stringent checks were made ahead of the protracted takeover being completed to take Wanderers out of administration.

“The experience I had with the EFL was that they very carefully scrutinised and looked at myself, my partner, our investors, our business plan, everything,” she said.

“They scrutinised us quite carefully which was good. I had no issue with that in any way shape or form. In fact, it’s the right thing to do.

“Debbie Jevans (executive chair) at the EFL was incredibly professional, incredibly supportive, and I found her an absolute delight to work with.”

Brittan acknowledges that, now more than ever, new owners coming into clubs will have to convince supporters that they are responsible custodians.

The new Wanderers chief, one of two directors with Michael James, is well aware of the responsibility and is bemused by the prospect of anyone looking to run a club without the necessary financial backing and planning.

“It’s probably helpful when you look at myself and Michael James, who are the two board directors, and there’s quite a clear history of what we’ve done in our working life,” Brittan said. 

“Running businesses, developing businesses, I sit on the board of a lot of businesses, I’d like to think that we have a good track record.

“To go into a football club without having a properly fully funded model and plan, I’m not sure why anyone would ever do that.

“It’s far too serious. Football is the love of everyone in the country. The people, the houses, the communities, it’s a very serious job and post to commit to.”

Dialogue with the EFL continues post takeover as Wanderers look to confirm what punishment they will receive for not playing the game against Brentford at the end of last season and postponing one against Doncaster last month.

The Whites currently sit on minus 11 points at the foot of League One having been docked 12 for entering administration.

“We want that sorted. It’s almost top of our agenda,” Brittan said.

“We’re working on it and it’s obviously a very serious point of conversation.”