Bolton Wanderers have established an emergency food bank to support the club's unpaid members of staff, according to the Bolton News.

Local businesses and charities have reportedly offered fresh food and essentials to staff members who have not been paid for the last two weeks, with the club having appeared in the High Court last week over an unpaid tax bill.

This comes after the Trotters entered administration on Monday, with a club statement confirming that Paul Appleton and Asher Miller of David Rubin & Partners have been appointed as joint administrators at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Following this development, it is hoped funds will soon become available from the club's locked bank account for wages as all members of staff are now awaiting their overdue pay.

Until then, some staff members must depend on the generosity of local people, business and charities who have donated towards the Community Trust's food bank efforts.

“We have tried to offer whatever support we can to people and that has included trying to get some provisions in order that people can continue to live a normal life,” club chaplain Phil Mason told the Bolton News.

“The reality is that a lot of staff here live day-to-day, hand-to-mouth but the situation for some means it is impossible to manage.”

The Whites Hotel, which is attached to Bolton's stadium, has also been closed since May 1 due to a shortage of supplies.

The Verdict

This latest update shows how sad the situation has become, with Bolton's financial troubles now clearly affecting peoples' everyday lives.

The priority should be to ensure these staff members are not made to suffer any longer, and they should be paid as soon as the funds become available.

It is a shameful situation and a resolution is needed as soon as possible.