Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed his admiration for Bolton’s return to financial security following their difficulties at the end of the previous decade.
The former Premier League side were on the verge of falling into liquidation during the 2019/20 season, after numerous monetary struggles led the club to receive an unpaid tax bill of more than £1,000,000 from HMRC.
Other issues included not being able to pay their players, players (with the support of governing bodies), going on strike, and the temporary closure of their training ground.
What Wycombe did for Bolton ahead of their first-ever meeting in August 2019, amid the Trotters' financial uncertainty. #Chairboys #BWFC pic.twitter.com/VE22wtj09s
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 5, 2022
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth looks ahead to Bolton test as he wants Wycombe to be 'competitive'
In all, the club were relegated four times across a nine-year spell, but after achieving promotion back into League One in 2021, the Trotters finished in a respectable ninth place last season, and hope to seal a spot in the top six, or higher, in 2023.
Speaking ahead of Wycombe's battle with Bolton this Saturday, Ainsworth said: “They are one of the many big teams up in the North West.
"Blackburn, Burnley, and even Bury before what happened to them, they are clubs with huge histories.
Yes they were very welcoming, in our hour of need. 👏👏
— Mark woods 💙 (@Barmcakemark) August 5, 2022
“So when some of those teams go through financial difficulties, it shows that it could happen to anyone in football, and I’m so glad Bolton got out of it.
“They are a club that I have got a lot of memories with as I played at their old stadium, Burnden Park, and managed at the Reebok (the University Stadium), so what they went through, it was tough to see.
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“Bolton have been there, they did the hard yards in League Two, they got out of it, and we have to respect that.
Mutual respect and 'love' for a team that showed us 'love' at real crossroads in our history
— D Rock💙 (@BigLegDrop) August 5, 2022
“But on Saturday, we have got to put that sentiment to bed and make sure that we are competitive as they are a good side.”
The two clubs have faced each other five times in all competitions, with Wycombe winning four of those fixtures.
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