Bolton Wanderers secured their new manager earlier today after bringing in Ian Evatt from Barrow. Evatt has guided the Cumbrian side back to the Football League 48 years after they were voted out. His job now is to see whether he can restore some faith at a Wanderers side set to play in the fourth tier of English football. However, he will not be able to bring in any of his Barrow players to help him do so.
Bolton Wanderers Unable to Sign Any Barrow Players for Two Years
Embargo in Place
After the Trotters confirmed the appointment of Evatt early this evening, Barrow released their own statement on the matter. While the club were obviously disappointed to see a heroic figure leave, they felt it was fair to honour his wishes to leave given what he had achieved with them.
Club chairman Paul Hornby said: “It’s always disappointing when someone decides to move on, especially when they’ve had such a positive impact. Ian did a wonderful job over the time he was here and he leaves us with a blueprint and identity of how we want our team to play.”
An interesting line in the statement, though, shows that Bolton will now be embargoed from signing any Barrow players for two years. This will give protection to the club as they look to maintain their place in the league, and it will stop Evatt from bringing in all of the top players that made his time at Barrow such a success.
The full statement from our board of directors following the departure of Ian Evatt.
It confirms a two year embargo is in place on Bolton Wanderers approaching Barrow AFC players under contract. #BarrowAFC#BackTheBluebirds pic.twitter.com/IB4HJPRCxA
— Barrow A.F.C. (@BarrowAFC) July 1, 2020
Bolton’s relegation from League One means they will be playing in the fourth tier of English football for the first time since the 1987/88 season. They secured an immediate return to Division Three, though, finishing third.
Barrow, meanwhile, have played in non-league since 1972 after they were voted out of the Football League. The geographical location of the town, Hereford United’s win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup, and the introduction of a speedway track around their pitch at Holker Street were given as the three main reasons for not being re-elected.
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