Problem is, there wouldn't be a guarantee that Bolton would be able to play at the Reebok or whatever it's currently called. Your mate may also have felt different, if like my brother in law, he was a club employee.
My brother in law works for them. He operates the car parks and is often running about as Lofty the Lion prior to kick-off. It seems this situation just won't go away as it's been going on for years and years. I feel very sorry for the employees and fans.