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Bolton Wanderers F.C.

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Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers crest
Full nameBolton Wanderers Football Club
Nickname(s)The Trotters
Founded1874, as Christ Church FC
GroundReebok Stadium, Bolton
Capacity28,723
ChairmanPhil Gartside
ManagerSam Allardyce
LeagueFA Premier League
2005-06Premier League, 8th
Club Logo in 70s
Club Logo in 70s

Bolton Wanderers F.C. is an English professional football club. It is currently in the FA Premier league. They play at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. The manager is Sam Allardyce and his assistant is Sammy Lee. Bolton are considered to be one of England’s best clubs outside the ‘Top 4’ who include Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool. Bolton will be a European team this season, playing in the UEFA Cup.

History

Bolton Wanderers was founded in 1874, originally named Christ Church FC. They were one of the original 12 founder members of the Football League. Having remained in the Football League since its formation, Bolton have spent more time in the top flight (Premier Division/old Division 1) than out of it. Fans favourites include Frank Worthington (scorer of the amazing over the head juggling goal, and author of the pleasantly titled autobiography 'One hump or two'...), John McGinlay (played a big part in Bolton's 1990's resurrection, scoring important goals against the likes of Liverpool, Wolves and Spurs), Sam Allardyce (as player and hugely successful manager) and, of course, the near legendary Lion of Vienna, Nat Lofthouse.

Bolton Wanderers have not won a trophy since 1958, when two Nat Lofthouse goals saw them overcome Manchester United in the F.A Cup final in front of a 100,000 crowd at Wembley. The closest they have come to winning a major trophy since then is finishing runners-up in the League Cup, first in 1995 and again in 2004.

At the end of the 1986-87 season, Bolton Wanderers suffered relegation to the Fourth Division for the first time in their history. But the board kept faith in manager Phil Neal and they won promotion back to the Third Division at the first attempt. Neal remained in charge until the summer of 1992 when he made way for Bruce Rioch, who a few years earlier had won two successive promotions with Middlesbrough.

Bolton did not always wear the all white kit they do today. In 1884 they wore this style:

1884-85 colours

Recent years

In 1992-93, Rioch's first season in charge, Bolton finished runners-up in the new Division Two and won automatic promotion to Division One. Two years later they reached the League Cup final for the first time, losing 2-1 to Liverpool. But a few weeks later they were back at Wembley for the Division One playoff final against Reading. After being 2–0 down at half time, two goals from Bolton in the final 15 minutes of the game forced extra time and they went on to win 4-3 and return to top division football after a 15-year exile.

Rioch left to take charge at Arsenal after the promotion success. He was replaced by Derby County manager Roy McFarland, who was joined by his former assistant Colin Todd. Bolton were bottom for virtually all of the 1995-96 Premiership campaign and despite several new signings, Bolton dismissed McFarland on New Year's Day 1996 and appointed Todd in his place. Todd was unable to save Bolton from relegation but they were promoted back to the Premiership at the first attempt thanks to a season in which they achieved 98 league points and 100 goals in the process of securing the Division One Championship.

Bolton were relegated on goal difference at the end of the 1997-98 Premiership campaign, going down to Division One with the previous season's other two promoted sides - Barnsley and Crystal Palace. Bolton reached the 1999 Division One playoff final but lost to Watford. Colin Todd resigned as manager soon after and was replaced by Notts County's Sam Allardyce.

1999-2000 brought disappointment for Bolton under their new manager, they lost in the semi finals of the Division One playoffs, the League Cup and the F.A Cup. But in 2000-01 Sam Allardyce and his team got it right by beating Preston North End 3-0 in the Division One playoff final.

Since then, Bolton Wanderers have preserved their Premiership place with 16th, 17th, 8th and in the season 2004/5 6th place which gave them their first ever qualification for European football. They take their place in the UEFA Cup in season 2005/6. In 2003-04, they reached another League Cup final but lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough.

Cup history

The Bolton Wanderers were the first team to win the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium, beating West Ham United 2-0 in 1923 in what would be remembered as the White Horse Final.

They also won the FA Cup in 1926, 1929, and 1958.

In 1993 the Bolton Wanderers beat FA Cup holders Liverpool 2-0 in a third round replay.

In 1994 Bolton Wanderers beat FA Cup holders Arsenal 3-1 in a fourth round replay.

In 2000 Bolton Wanderers reached the Semi Finals of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium but where defeated by Aston Villa in a penalty shoot-out. Record-signing Dean Holdsworth scored his penalty but Allan Thompson and Michael Johansen saw their efforts saved by England goalkeeper David James

Memorable Games

1953 FA Cup Final vs. Blackpool - argued as the most exciting Cup Final ever. Having lead the majority of the game, Blackpool eventually came from behind to beat the Trotters 4-3.

1958 FA Cup Final vs.Manchester United. - having suffered the Munich Tragedy which claimed many members of Matt Busby's team, United reached the final, only to lose to Bolton with two goals from Nat Lofthouse.

1993 FA Cup 3rd round replay vs. Liverpool - this game really kicked off Bolton's resurgence under Bruce Rioch. Having drawn at home, Bolton went to Anfield to beat the holders of the FA Cup, goals from Andy Walker and John McGinlay.

1993 Division 3 vs. Preston NE - a tense game, the teams separated by a penalty from John McGinlay which sent Bolton back to Division 2 (now the Championship/Division 1) for the first time since their fall from grace in the early 1980's.

1995 League Cup semi final (2nd Leg) vs. Swindon Town - Bolton love their cup games! Having lost the away leg, Bolton fell further behind in the second half of the Burnden leg before Jason McAteer and Mixu Paatelainen levelled the game for John McGinlay to poach the winner with five minutes remaining

1995 Division 1 Play Off Final vs. Reading - a true epic. Having gone 2-0 down in the first 15 minutes, Bolton saved a penalty before half time, then levelled the game in the second half with goals from Owen Coyle and Fabian De Freitas. Mixu Paatelainen and De Freitas with a second put Bolton 4-2 ahead in extra time before Reading gained a late consolation. This game promoted Bolton to the Premier League for the first time in their history, their first season back in the top flight since 1979.

2001 Bolton beat Preston North End F.C. 3-0 at the Millenium Stadium in the division 1 Play off final.

2004 Bolton were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough F.C. to become runners up in the Carling Cup for the 2nd time in 9 years.

New stadium

File:Bolton reebok.jpg
The Reebok

After 102 years at Burnden Park, Bolton Wanderers relocated to the new 28,700-seat Reebok Stadium (named after the club's long-term sponsors) which was completed six miles away near the Bolton township of Horwich for the 1997-98 season. It has so far staged Premier League football for six of the last nine seasons.

Current Squad

Goalkeepers:

Defenders:

Midfielders:

Forwards:

Famous Former Players

Famous Managers

  • Charles Foweraker 3 times FA cup winning manager from the 1920s. Manager from 1919-44.
  • Bill Ridding built an FA Cup winning team in 1958 at a cost of just £110. Manager from 1951-68
  • Bruce Rioch took the club into the Premiership for the first time in their history following two promotions in three years, during that time the club saw a number of good cup runs in which higher placed teams, often from the Premiership, where defeated. Manager from 1992-95
  • Colin Todd secured promotion to the Premiership in 1997 with a club record 98 points tally. Manager from 1996-99
  • Sam Allardyce Took Bolton to the Carling Cup Final in 2004 and brought European football to the club for the first time in its 111-year history when qualifying for the UEFA Cup in 2005. Manager from 1999-present

Former Managers

Shirt sponsors

Famous Bolton Fans

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