After the collapse of the permanent signing of on-loan striker Christian Doidge, Forest Green Rovers commenced legal action over lost earnings. In February 2019, Bolton were issued a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) which was subsequently adjourned, first until April, and then again until the end of the season as their search for a new owner continued. Due to the financial difficulties, the training ground temporarily closed in March 2019, and games against Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa were threatened with postponement or being played behind closed doors as the local council Safety Advisory Group (SAG) threatened to revoke the stadium safety certificate. The Bolton Whites Hotel, owned by Ken Anderson, was also issued with a winding-up petition in March 2019 (it closed on 1 May and went into administration on 14 May). The team was relegated to League One in April after a 23rd place finish. In a further development on 26 April, the home match against Brentford was called off by the English Football League 16 hours before kick off after Bolton's players, supported by the Professional Footballers' Association, refused to play until they had received their unpaid wages. On 3 May the match against Brentford was cancelled by the EFL and a 1-0 result and three points awarded to Brentford. In May the club went into administration due to a £1.2m unpaid tax bill. Fildraw (former owner Eddie Davies' trust fund) appointed administrators from insolvency firm David Rubin and Partners. In accordance with league rules on administration, Bolton would start the 2019–20 season with a 12 point deduction.
After the collapse of the permanent signing of on-loan striker Christian Doidge, Forest Green Rovers commenced legal action over lost earnings. In February 2019, Bolton were issued a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) which was subsequently adjourned, first until April, and then again until the end of the season as their search for a new owner continued. Due to the financial difficulties, the training ground temporarily closed in March 2019, and games against Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa were threatened with postponement or being played behind closed doors as the local council Safety Advisory Group (SAG) threatened to revoke the stadium safety certificate. The Bolton Whites Hotel, owned by Ken Anderson, was also issued with a winding-up petition in March 2019 (it closed on 1 May and went into administration on 14 May). The team was relegated to League One in April after a 23rd place finish. In a further development on 26 April, the home match against Brentford was called off by the English Football League 16 hours before kick off after Bolton's players, supported by the Professional Footballers' Association, refused to play until they had received their unpaid wages. On 3 May the match against Brentford was cancelled by the EFL and a 1-0 result and three points awarded to Brentford. In May the club went into administration due to a £1.2m unpaid tax bill. Fildraw (former owner Eddie Davies' trust fund) appointed administrators from insolvency firm D.V. Rubin and Partners. In accordance with league rules on administration, Bolton would start the 2019–20 season with a 12 point deduction.