Bolton Wanderers F.C.

Association football club in England

Football club

Bolton Wanderers

Full name| Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Nickname(s)|

* The Trotters
* The Wanderers
* The Whites

Founded| 1874; 151 years ago (1874) (as Christ Church F.C.)
Ground| Toughsheet Community Stadium
Capacity| 28,723[1]
Owner| Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd (92%)[2][3]
British Business Bank (8%)[4]
Chairman| Sharon Brittan
Head coach| Steven Schumacher
League| EFL League One
2024–25| EFL League One, 8th of 24
Website| bwfc.co.uk

Home colours

Away colours

|

Current season

Bolton Wanderers Football Club (/ˈboʊltən/ ⓘ BOHL-tən) is a professional football club based in Horwich, Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, which competes in League One, the third level of the English football league system.

Formed in 1874, it was a founding member of the Football League in 1888. The club won the Second Division title in 1908–09, and the FA Cup in 1923, the "White Horse Final", 1926, 1929 and 1958. Bolton were relegated in 1964 and again in 1971, but regained their top-flight status after winning the Third Division title in 1972–73 and then the Second Division title in 1977–78, but three relegations left them in the fourth tier by 1987. Promotion out of the Fourth Division was secured in 1987–88, and they lifted the Football League Trophy in 1989 after being beaten finalists in 1986.

Promotions in 1992–93 and 1994–95 saw them reach the Premier League. Bolton won the First Division title in 1996–97, but were unable to survive more than one season in the Premier League until Sam Allardyce returned them to the top-flight with victory in the 2001 First Division play-off final. Bolton then spent eleven consecutive seasons in the Premier League, reaching the 2004 League Cup final and the knock-out stages of the UEFA Cup twice. Two relegations in five years left them in League One by 2016, and though they won promotion in 2016–17, severe financial difficulties saw the club enter administration in 2019 after relegation back into the third tier was confirmed. Facing possible EFL expulsion and probable extinction, the club was acquired by new owners.[2][3] Relegated to the fourth tier in 2020, they won promotion out of League Two in the 2020–21 season and the EFL Trophy in the 2022–23 season.

From 1895 to 1997, the club played at Burnden Park, after moving from their original home at Pike's Lane. Since 1997, Bolton have played home matches at what was originally named the Reebok Stadium, today the Toughsheet Community Stadium. They have spent 73 seasons in the top flight without winning the title, more than any other club.[5]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of Bolton Wanderers F.C.

### Early history (1877–1929)

[edit]

The club was founded by the Reverend Joseph Farrall Wright, Perpetual curate of Christ Church Bolton,[6] and Thomas Ogden, the schoolmaster at the adjacent church school, in 1874 as Christ Church F.C.[7] It was initially run from the church of the same name on Deane Road, Bolton, on the site where the Innovation factory of the University of Bolton now stands. The club left the location following a dispute with the vicar, and changed its name to Bolton Wanderers in 1877. The name was chosen as the club initially had a lot of difficulty finding a permanent ground to play on, having used three venues in its first four years of existence.[8]

Bolton were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League, which formed in 1888.[9] At the time Lancashire was one of the strongest footballing regions in the country, with 6 of the 12 founder clubs coming from within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire. Having remained in the Football League since its formation, Bolton have spent more time in the top flight (Premier League/old First Division) than out of it.

Bolton won the celebrated 1923 FA Cup final Chart showing the progress of Bolton Wanderers F.C. through the English football league system.

In 1894 Bolton reached the final of the FA Cup for the first time, but lost 4–1 to Notts County at Goodison Park.[10] A decade later they were runners-up a second time, losing 1–0 to local rivals Manchester City at Crystal Palace on 23 April 1904.[11]

The period before and after the First World War was Bolton's most consistent period of top-flight success as measured by league finishes, with the club finishing outside the top 8 of the First Division on only two occasions between 1911–12 and 1927–28.[12] In this period Bolton equalled their record finish of third twice, in 1920–21 and 1924–25, on the latter occasion missing out on the title by just 3 points (in an era of 2 points for a win).[13]

On 28 April 1923, Bolton won their first major trophy in their third final, beating West Ham United 2–0 in the first ever Wembley FA Cup final. The match, famously known as The White Horse final was played in front of over 127,000 supporters. Bolton's centre-forward, David Jack scored the first ever goal at Wembley Stadium.[14] Driven by long-term players Joe Smith in attack, Ted Vizard and Billy Butler on the wings, and Jimmy Seddon in defence, they became the most successful cup side of the twenties, winning three times. Their second victory of the decade came in 1926, beating Manchester City 1–0 in front of over 91,000 spectators,[15] and the third came in 1929 as Portsmouth were beaten 2–0 in front of nearly 93,000 fans.

In 1928, the club faced financial difficulties and was forced to sell David Jack to Arsenal to raise funds. Despite the pressure to sell, the agreed fee of £10,890 was a world record, more than double the previous most expensive transfer of a player.[16]

### Top flight run and cup success (1929–1958)

[edit]

Nat Lofthouse spent his entire career, from 1946 to 1960, with Bolton, scoring 255 league goals

From 1935 to 1964, Bolton enjoyed an uninterrupted stay in the top flight – regarded by fans as a golden era – spearheaded in the 1950s by Nat Lofthouse. The years of the Second World War saw most of the Wanderers' playing staff see action on the front, a rare occurrence within elite football, as top sportsmen were generally assigned to physical training assignments, away from enemy fire. However, 15 Bolton professionals, led by their captain Harry Goslin, volunteered for active service in 1939, and enlisted in the 53rd (Bolton) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.[17] By the end of the war, 32 of the 35 pre-war professionals saw action in the British forces. The sole fatality was Goslin, who had by then risen to the rank of Lieutenant and was killed by shrapnel on the Italian front shortly before Christmas 1943. 53rd Bolton Artillery took part in the Battle of Dunkirk and also served in the campaigns of Egypt, Iraq and Italy.[17] Remarkably, a number of these soldiers managed to carry on playing the game in these theatres of war, taking on as 'British XI' various scratch teams assembled by, among others, King Farouk of Egypt in Cairo and Polish forces in Baghdad.[17]

Men from Bolton Wanderers Football Club serving together with a battery of artillery in the 53rd (Bolton) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division, at Beccles, Suffolk on the east coast of England. The photograph, taken sometime in 1940, shows the nine footballers in uniform cleaning an artillery piece.

On 9 March 1946, the club's home was the scene of the Burnden Park disaster which, at the time, was the worst tragedy in British football history. 33 Bolton Wanderers fans were crushed to death, and another 400 injured, in an FA Cup quarter-final second leg tie between Bolton and Stoke City.[18] There was an estimated 67,000-strong crowd crammed in for the game, though other estimates vary widely, and a further 15,000 had been locked out when it became clear the stadium was full. The disaster led to Moelwyn Hughes's official report, which recommended more rigorous control of crowd sizes.[19]

In 1953, Bolton played in one of the most famous FA Cup finals of all time – The Stanley Matthews final of 1953. Bolton lost the game to Blackpool 4–3 after having had a 3–1 lead. Blackpool were victorious thanks to the skills of Matthews and the goals of Stan Mortensen.[20]

Bolton Wanderers have not won a major trophy since 1958, when two Lofthouse goals saw them overcome Manchester United in the FA Cup final in front of a 100,000 crowd at Wembley Stadium.[21] 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.

### Few highs and many lows (1958–1995)

[edit]

While Bolton finished fourth the following season, the next 20 years proved to be a fallow period. The club suffered relegation to the Second Division in 1963–64, and were then relegated again to the Third Division for the first time in their history in 1970–71.[12] This stay in the Third Division lasted just two years before the club were promoted as champions in 1972–73. Hopes were high at Burnden Park in May 1978 when Bolton sealed the Second Division title and gained promotion to the First Division. However, they only remained there for two seasons before being relegated.[22]: 36

Following relegation in 1980, Bolton signed up talented striker Brian Kidd, as they prepared to challenge for a quick return to the First Division. Kidd scored a hat-trick in his third game for Bolton, a 4–0 win over Newcastle United in the league, but the rest of the season was a struggle as Bolton finished close to the relegation places.[23]: 91  By the end of the 1981–82 season, Bolton were no closer to promotion and had lost several key players including Peter Reid and Neil Whatmore. The following season Bolton were relegated to the Third Division after losing 4–1 at Charlton Athletic on the final day.[23]: 92

Despite a new-look, much younger team, and an 8–1 win over Walsall, Bolton's best league win for 50 years, Bolton failed to win promotion in the 1983–84 season, and remained in the Third Division for another three seasons. In 1986, Nat Lofthouse was appointed President of the football club, a position he would hold until his death on 15 January 2011.[24] At the end of the 1986–87 season, Bolton Wanderers suffered relegation to the Fourth Division for the first time in their history,[22]: 38  but won promotion back to the Third Division at the first attempt. The club won the Sherpa Van Trophy in 1989, defeating Torquay United 4–1. During the 1990–91 season, Bolton were pipped to the final automatic promotion place by Southend United and lost to Tranmere Rovers in the play-off final, but they failed to build on this and the following season saw the club finish 13th.[23]: 100

The early 1990s saw Bolton gain a giant-killing reputation in cup competitions. In 1993, Bolton beat FA Cup holders Liverpool 2–0 in a third round replay at Anfield, thanks to goals from John McGinlay and Andy Walker. The club also defeated higher division opposition in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers (2–1) that year before bowing out to Derby County. Bolton also secured promotion to the second tier for the first time since 1983. In 1994 Bolton again beat FA Cup holders, this time in the form of Arsenal, 3–1 after extra time in a fourth round replay, and went on to reach the quarter-finals, bowing out 1–0 at home to local rivals (and then Premiership) Oldham Athletic. Bolton also defeated top division opposition in the form of Everton (3–2) and Aston Villa (1–0) that year.[25]

### Return to the top flight and venture into Europe (1995–2012)

[edit]

Bolton reached the Premiership in 1995, thanks to a 4–3 victory over Reading in the Division One play-off final. Reading took a 2–0 lead before a Keith Branagan penalty save in the 42nd minute changed the course of the game. Bolton scored two late goals to take the game to extra time, scoring twice more before a late Reading consolation. The same year Bolton progressed to the League Cup final, but were defeated 2–1 by Liverpool.[26] Bolton were bottom for virtually all of the 1995–96 Premiership campaign and were relegated as they lost their penultimate game 1–0 to Southampton.[23]: 105

The club won promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt, after a season in which they achieved 98 league points and 100 goals in the process of securing the Division One championship,[27] the first time since 1978 that they had finished top of any division. That season also marked the club's move from Burnden Park to the new Reebok Stadium, the last game at the stadium being a 4–1 win over Charlton Athletic.[28]

Jussi Jääskeläinen is equal third on Bolton Wanderers' record appearance list, making 530 appearances between 1997 and 2012

Bolton were relegated on goal difference at the end of the 1997–98 Premiership campaign. They finished on the same number of points as Everton, whom they had faced in the first competitive match at the new Reebok Stadium. That game finished 0–0, but the failure to award a goal scored by Gerry Taggart for the Whites meant that they did not gain the additional point which, at the end of the season, would have kept them up.[29][30] The following season, they reached the 1999 Division One play-off final but lost 2–0 to Watford.

In 2000, Bolton reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Worthington Cup and play-offs but lost on penalties to Aston Villa,[31] 4–0 on aggregate to Tranmere Rovers[32] and 7–5 on aggregate to Ipswich Town[33] respectively. In 2000–01 Bolton were promoted back to the Premiership after beating Preston North End 3–0 in the play-off final.[34]

Bolton struggled during the following two seasons, but survived in the Premiership. The 2001–02 season began with a shock victory as they destroyed Leicester 5–0 at Filbert Street.[22]: 94  They followed that win with two more, over Middlesbrough and Liverpool, to go top of the top flight table for the first time since 1891. Despite a 2–1 win away at Manchester United, becoming the first team since the formation of the Premiership to come from behind and win a league game at Old Trafford,[35] Bolton went into a deep slump during the middle of the season and needed a Fredi Bobic hat-trick against Ipswich Town to survive. Despite losing the final three games, 16th place was secured.[36] The 2002–03 season began with a poor start and, despite another win away at Manchester United, they were bottom until a 4–2 win against Leeds United at Elland Road.[37] Despite suffering from a lack of consistency, Bolton achieved the results needed and secured survival in a final day 2–1 victory over Middlesbrough.[38]

Bolton reached the League Cup final in 2004, but lost 2–1 to Middlesbrough.[39] Nevertheless, the club finished eighth in the league, at the time the highest finish in their Premiership history.

In 2005, Bolton finished sixth in the league, thus earning qualification for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history.[40] The following season, they reached the last 32 but were eliminated by French team Marseille as they lost 2–1 on aggregate.[41] Between 2003–04 and 2006–07, Bolton recorded consecutive top-eight finishes, a record of consistency bettered only by the big four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.[22]: 470–7  Towards the end of the 2006–07 season, long-serving manager Sam Allardyce departed the club, stating that he was taking a sabbatical, but he was hired shortly thereafter as manager of Newcastle United. Allardyce later cited a lack of ambition on the part of the club's board for his departure. In January 2007, he had unsuccessfully sought financial backing to push the club towards Champions League qualification.[42]

Bolton broke their transfer record in 2008 when they signed Swedish forward Johan Elmander

The 2007–08 season saw Bolton survive with a 16th-place finish, their safety being confirmed on the final day of the season,[43] as they went on an unbeaten run for their final five games, as well as getting to the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup. Former assistant manager Sammy Lee replaced Allardyce as manager, but a poor start to the season saw him replaced by Gary Megson. During the European run, Bolton gained an unexpected 2–2 draw against former European champions Bayern Munich,[44] as well as becoming the first English team to beat Red Star Belgrade in Belgrade.[45] They also defeated Atlético Madrid on aggregate[46] before being knocked out by Sporting Lisbon.[47]

Bolton broke their record transfer fee with the signing of Johan Elmander from Toulouse on 27 June 2008, in a deal which cost the club a reported £8.2 million and saw Norwegian striker Daniel Braaten head in the opposite direction.[48] Megson was replaced part-way through the 2009–2010 season by former Wanderers striker Owen Coyle, after Megson endured a difficult relationship with the fans. In the 2010–11 FA Cup, Bolton progressed all the way to the semi-finals, but were beaten 5–0 by Stoke at Wembley, with the match being described as "a massive anti-climax".[49]

The following season began as the previous one had ended with just one win and six defeats, their worst start since the 1902–03 season when they were relegated. On 17 March 2012, manager Owen Coyle travelled to the London Chest Hospital with Fabrice Muamba who had suffered from a cardiac arrest whilst playing against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in a FA Cup match. Muamba stayed in a critical condition for several weeks and Coyle was widely praised for the manner in which he represented the club during the period.[50] That 13 May, Bolton were relegated to the Championship by one point on the last day of the season after drawing 2–2 with Stoke City.[51]

### Return to the Championship (2012–2018)

[edit]

The 2012–13 Championship season started badly for Bolton, with only three wins in ten league matches and a second round exit from the League Cup following a loss at Crawley Town. As a result of poor performances leaving them in 16th place, Bolton sacked Coyle on 9 October 2012, replacing him with Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman. They finished in seventh place, losing out on a play-off place to Leicester City on goal difference. The 2013–14 began with a trip to Turf Moor, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Football League.[52] Freedman was fired after a torrid run of results at the beginning of the 2014–2015 season; he was replaced by former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who promptly won his first game in charge 1–0 away at Birmingham.

In December 2015, Bolton, who were £172.9 million in debt, were handed a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid taxes, and a transfer embargo for the following month's window. Much of this debt owed to former owner Eddie Davies was confirmed to have been written off in March 2018, to assist with the club's potential sale prospects.[53] After ending a 17-game winless run, Lennon, who had been investigated by the club due to allegations about his personal life, said that the club had "been through hell".[54] On 18 January 2016, the club avoided an immediate winding-up order after their case was adjourned until 22 February to give it time to either close a deal with a potential buyer or raise sufficient short-term funds from asset sales. The club was said to owe HM Revenue and Customs £2.2m.[55] The financial situation had improved as a takeover bid by Dean Holdsworth's Sports Shield was successful in March 2016.[56] Lennon was removed from his position for the final few games of the season, replaced by Academy manager Jimmy Phillips. On 9 April 2016, Bolton lost 4–1 away at Derby County to confirm their relegation to the third tier for the first time since 1993.[57]

Under new manager Phil Parkinson, Bolton won promotion from League One at the first time of asking with a second-place finish.[58] On 14 September 2017, the board announced that the embargo was over.[59] Bolton started their first season back in the Championship poorly, only earning their first victory in October. Their form improved mid-season, however going into the final round of fixtures Bolton were in the relegation zone, needing a win to stand a chance of securing survival. They achieved this to finish 21st, narrowly avoiding relegation, having fought back from 2–1 down to win 3–2 at home against Nottingham Forest in the last ten minutes of their final match of the season.[60]

### Relegation and financial crisis (2018–2019)

[edit]

Throughout the 2018–19 Championship season Bolton faced financial difficulties. On 12 September 2018, Bolton reached an agreement with their main creditor BluMarble Capital Ltd over an unpaid loan, avoiding administration and a points deduction from the EFL.[61] Bolton were served a winding-up order on 27 September 2018 after failing to make a payment to HM Revenue and Customs. This was the fourth such petition the club had faced in the previous 14 months.[62] After the collapse of the permanent signing of on-loan striker Christian Doidge, Forest Green Rovers commenced legal action over lost earnings.[63] In February 2019, Bolton were again issued a winding-up petition by HMRC which was subsequently adjourned until the end of the season as their search for a new owner continued.[64][65] The match against Brentford on 26 April 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;[66] the EFL awarded the win to Brentford.[67] The Bolton Whites Hotel, owned by Ken Anderson, was also issued with a winding-up petition in March 2019[68] (it closed on 1 May and went into administration on 14 May).[69] The team was relegated to League One in April after a 23rd-place finish.[70]

In May 2019, the club went into administration due to a £1.2m unpaid tax bill, incurring a 12-point penalty for the 2019–2020 season.[71] Fildraw (former owner Eddie Davies' trust fund) appointed administrators from insolvency firm David Rubin and Partners.[72] A 17 July statement from the Bolton players said that no-one at the club had been paid by owner Ken Anderson for 20 weeks, the training ground had no potable drinking water nor hot water for showers. Pre-season friendlies were cancelled as Bolton could not give assurances about fielding a competitive team.[73][74][75]

Anderson failed to find a buyer before the start of the season, and Bolton started their opening League One game on 3 August at Wycombe Wanderers with only three contracted senior outfield players, and lost 2–0.[76] A week later, Bolton fielded its youngest ever side, with an average age of 19, in a goalless home draw against Coventry City.[77] Manager Phil Parkinson expressed concern about the welfare of the youth players used in all of Bolton's games,[78] leading Bolton to postpone the game against Doncaster Rovers on 20 August[79][80] but without informing either Doncaster or the EFL.[79] Parkinson and assistant Steve Parkin resigned the following day, with academy manager Jimmy Phillips taking interim charge.[81] On 26 August, it was announced that the takeover by Football Ventures had fallen through one day before the EFL deadline, potentially risking the club going into liquidation.[82][83] After Bolton failed to meet that deadline, the suspension of its notice of withdrawal from the EFL was lifted; however, the club was not immediately expelled from the EFL – it was given until 12 September 2019 to meet all outstanding requirements of the League's insolvency policy.[84]

### Under new ownership (2019–)

[edit]

On 28 August, Bolton announced that the club's sale to Football Ventures (Whites) Limited had been completed, with the administrator paying tribute to the Eddie Davies Trust and their legal team, and criticising Ken Anderson who had "used his position as a secured creditor to hamper and frustrate any deal that did not benefit him or suit his purposes."[2][3] Days later, Keith Hill was announced as the new club manager.[85] He signed nine players before the transfer deadline closed,[86] and his first win came on 22 October, 2–0 against Bristol Rovers, Bolton's first win in 22 matches.[87]

On 21 November 2019, Bolton were handed a five-point deduction, suspended for 18 months, and fined £70,000, half of which was suspended for 18 months, for failure to fulfil two fixtures (against Brentford and Doncaster).[88] The points would not be deducted if Bolton fulfilled all fixtures during the 18-month period.[89] An EFL appeal against what it saw as a "lenient" penalty[90] was rejected by an arbitration panel in January 2020.[91] On 9 June 2020, the EFL League One decided to end the 2019–20 season early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing bottom club Bolton Wanderers to go down to the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 1988 and only the second time in their history. Following relegation, the club announced that Keith Hill and assistant David Flitcroft would leave the club when their contracts expired at the end of June.[92] Barrow manager Ian Evatt was appointed Hill's successor on 1 July 2020.[93] Despite being in 17th place after 24 matches, Bolton orchestrated an impressive season turnaround under Evatt. They completed the 2020–21 League Two season in third place after a 4–1 win against Crawley Town on the final day – enough to secure automatic promotion to League One[94] – and early in the 2021–22 season settled debts with unsecured creditors to remove the threat of a 15-point deduction.[95]

In January 2022, it was confirmed that the club had received an emergency loan from The Future Fund, a financial support scheme set up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was subsequently converted into shares of the club, with around 8% of shares now owned by the British Business Bank, an economic development bank developed and run by HM Government.[4]

On 2 April 2023, Bolton won the 2023 EFL Trophy final 4–0 against Plymouth Argyle.[96] The following year, Evatt also led Wanderers to the 2024 EFL League One play-off final on 18 May, where they were beaten 2–0 by Oxford United. However, Bolton struggled in the 2024–25 season and Evatt left the club in January 2025,[97] being replaced by Steven Schumacher.[98]

## Colours and badge

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bolton Wanderers F.C. kits.

Bolton Wanderers' home colours are white shirts with navy and red trim, traditionally worn with navy shorts and white socks. Their away kits have been varied over the years, with navy kits and yellow kits among the most popular and common. Bolton did not always wear a white kit; in 1884 they wore white with red spots, leading to the club's original nickname of "The Spots".[99] The traditional navy blue shorts were dispensed with in 2003, in favour of an all-white strip, but they returned in 2008. The club had previously experimented with an all-white kit in the 1970s.[100]

The Bolton Wanderers club badge consists of the initials of the club in the shape of a ball, with a red scroll and Lancashire rose underneath. The current badge is a reimagining of one designed in 1975; this was replaced in 2001 by a badge which retained the recognisable initials but controversially exchanged the scroll and rose for blue and red ribbons. The re-design has been welcomed by fans as the red rose returned to the badge and those who saw the ribbons as a poor choice.[99] The original club badge was the town crest of Bolton, a key feature of which was the Elephant and Castle motif with the town motto – Supera Moras meaning "Overcome Delays". This feature has been reincorporated on the back of some more recent club shirts which was seen as a nice touch by some.

The club's nickname of "The Trotters" has several claimed derivations; that it is simply a variation on "Wanderers", that it is an old local term for a practical joker, or that one of the grounds used before the club settled at Pikes Lane resided next to a piggery, causing players to have to "trot" through the pig pens to retrieve the ball if it went over the fence.[101]

## Grounds

[edit]

Main articles: Pike's Lane, Burnden Park, and Toughsheet Community Stadium

The Toughsheet Community Stadium has been Bolton Wanderers' home since 1997

When the club was first founded, Christ Church had a nomadic existence, playing at a number of locations in the area. The club, which had by then been renamed Bolton Wanderers, started playing regularly at Pike's Lane in 1881.[22]: 48  Spending £150 on pitch improvements, season tickets cost a guinea. They played here for fourteen years until the tenancy expired and they moved to Burnden Park.[102]

Situated in the Burnden area of Bolton, approximately one mile from the centre of the town, the ground served as the home of the town's football team for 102 years. In its heyday, Burnden Park could hold up to 70,000 supporters[103] but this figure was dramatically reduced during the final 20 years of its life. A section of The Embankment was sold off in 1986 to make way for a new Normid superstore.[104] At this time, Bolton were in a dire position financially and were struggling in the Football League Third Division, so there was a low demand for tickets and the loss of part of the ground gave the Bolton directors good value for money.[22]: 59

By 1992 the club's directors had decided that it would be difficult to convert Burnden Park into an all-seater stadium for a club of Bolton's ambition, as the Taylor Report required all first- and second-tier clubs to do.[22]: 62  A decision was made to build an out of town stadium in the town of Horwich, with the eventual location chosen 5 miles due west of the town centre. The stadium opened in August 1997,[105] as a modern, all-seater stadium with a capacity of around 29,000. In recognition of the club's former ground the stadium stands on "Burnden Way". It has four stands, though the lower-tier seating is one continuous bowl. It was originally known as the Reebok Stadium after long-time team sponsor, Reebok. This was initially unpopular with many fans, as it was considered impersonal, and that too much emphasis was being placed on financial considerations. This opposition considerably lessened since the stadium was built.[106] In April 2014, the stadium was renamed as part of a four-year deal with new sponsors Macron sportswear.[107] When this deal came to an end in August 2018 the stadium was again renamed, this time as the University of Bolton Stadium.[108] In 2023, a new record-breaking stadium naming rights deal was announced with Bolton-based recyclable building products manufacturer Toughsheet, leading the stadium to be renamed the Toughsheet Community Stadium.[109]

In 2014 the club established Bolton Wanderers Free School at the stadium, a sixth form offering sports and related courses for 16 to 19-year-olds.[110] However, this was later closed in 2017 due to low pupil numbers which deemed it 'not financially viable'.[111]

## Rivalries and supporters

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Association (BWSA) is the official supporters' association of Bolton Wanderers Football Club. The Supporters' Association was formed in 1992, on the initiative of a fan, Peter Entwistle. Later that year the Directors of the football club, satisfied that the Association had proven itself to be organised and responsible, officially recognised Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Association as the club's supporters' group.[112]

In 1997, shortly after the move from Burnden Park to the Reebok Stadium, the BWSA accepted the invitation from the football club to hold its monthly meetings at the new stadium. The Toughsheet Community Stadium has continued to be their venue ever since. In the year 2000, the Association expanded significantly when its invitation to affiliate was accepted by Bolton Wanderers supporters groups in other parts of Britain, and also by groups around the world. All of these foreign groups have come on board to become independent, but integral, parts of the official Bolton Wanderers supporters' family. Requests for affiliated status continue to be received regularly from other places around the world where Wanderers fans find themselves gather together.[112]

Historically Bolton's traditional rivals are near neighbours Bury. The club also has traditional rivalries with fellow Lancashire clubs Blackburn Rovers and Burnley as both sides are separated by less than 20 miles and are all founder members of the Football League.

Rivalries between Wigan Athletic, Bury and Burnley stretch back to the 1980s when they were with Bolton in the then Third Division. Bolton's biggest ever rival are Manchester United who have been rivals with each other since the 1958 FA Cup Final, which Bolton won 2-0. The rivalries between Blackburn Rovers and Tranmere Rovers stretch back to the 1990s when Tranmere beat Bolton in the 1991 Football League Third Division play-off final and when Bolton beat Blackburn 2-1 in the 1995-96 season to secure their first ever Premier League win.

## Ownership and finances

[edit]

The holding company of Bolton Wanderers F.C. is Burnden Leisure Ltd, a private company limited by shares. Burnden Leisure was previously a public company traded on the AIM stock exchange until its voluntary delisting in May 2003 following Eddie Davies's takeover.[113] The club itself is 100% owned by Burnden Leisure;[114] businessman Davies owned 94.5% of the shares, with the remaining stakes held by over 6,000 small shareholders with less than 0.1% holding each.[115] After Bolton exited the Premier League, Davies revoked his investment into the club. This led to published debts of almost £200m and brought the club very close to being wound up over unpaid tax bills owed to HMRC. As a gesture of his goodwill and as incentive to sell the club, Davies promised to wipe over £125m of debt owed to him when the club was sold, which wiped a significant proportion of debt the club owed.

In March 2016, Sports Shield, a consortium led by Dean Holdsworth, bought Davies' controlling stake; a year later, Holdsworth shareholding in Sports Shield was bought out by Ken Anderson.[116] Under Anderson, financial difficulties dogged the club, with player strikes, further winding up orders and financial disputes with other creditors.[116] These culminated in the club (Burnden Leisure Ltd) going into administration in May 2019,[71] and, with the club's future ownership unresolved, being threatened with expulsion from the EFL in August 2019.[117] On 28 August, the club was sold to Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd despite opposition from Ken Anderson.[2][3]

In January 2022, it was confirmed that the club had received an emergency loan from The Future Fund, a financial support scheme set up during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was subsequently converted into shares of the club, with around 8% of shares now owned by the British Business Bank, an economic development bank developed and run by HM Government.[4]

### Sponsorship

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers had a long-established partnership with sporting goods firm Reebok, which was formed in the town. Between 1997 and 2009 this partnership encompassed shirt sponsorship, kit manufacture and stadium naming rights. The combined shirt sponsorship (1990–2009) and kit manufacture (1993–2012) deals covering 22 years represent the longest kit partnership in English football history.[118] The stadium's naming rights were held by Reebok from its opening in 1997 until 2014.[119]

Bolton's kit manufacturer from the 2014–15 season changed to Italian sportswear brand Macron, who also became stadium name sponsors for four years.[120] In August 2018, the stadium naming rights went to the University of Bolton in an undisclosed deal.[121] From 1 July 2023 it became known as the Toughsheet Community Stadium.[122]

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

As of 25 July 2025[123]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

6  | DF |  SCO | George Johnston
7  | FW |  GNB | Carlos Mendes Gomes
8  | MF |  WAL | Josh Sheehan
9  | FW |  NGA | Victor Adeboyejo
10  | FW |  ENG | Sam Dalby
11  | FW |  ENG | Dan Nlundulu
12  | DF |  ENG | Josh Dacres-Cogley
14  | DF |  ENG | Jordi Osei-Tutu
15  | DF |  ENG | Will Forrester
16  | MF |  ENG | Aaron Morley
17  | MF |  GRE | Klaidi Lolos
18  | DF |  NIR | Eoin Toal
21  | DF |  LCA | Chris Forino-Joseph
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

22  | MF |  ENG | Kyle Dempsey
23  | MF |  HUN | Szabolcs Schön
31  | MF |  ENG | Joel Randall
34  | DF |  ENG | Max Conway
45  | FW |  ENG | John McAtee
48  | MF |  EGY | Sonny Sharples-Ahmed
—  | GK |  ENG | Nathan Broome
—  | MF |  ENG | Amario Cozier-Duberry (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
—  | MF |  SCO | Ethan Erhahon
—  | FW |  BRB | Thierry Gale
—  | GK |  ENG | Teddy Sharman-Lowe (on loan from Chelsea)
—  | MF |  ENG | Xavier Simons
—  | DF |  ENG | Richard Taylor

### Bolton B squad

[edit]

Main article: Bolton Wanderers F.C. Reserves and Academy

As of 4 July 2025[124]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

—  | GK |  SCO | Jack Dallimore
—  | DF |  ENG | Jamie Grayson
—  | DF |  ENG | Sean Hogan
—  | DF |  NIR | Sam Inwood
—  | DF |  ENG | Emile Oliver
—  | DF |  ENG | Oliver Smith
—  | MF |  ENG | Harley Irwin
—  | MF |  ENG | Harry Leigh
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

—  | MF |  ENG | Conor Lewis
—  | MF |  ENG | Harrison Rice
—  | MF |  ENG | Andrew Tutte (Player-coach)
—  | FW |  ENG | David Abimbola
—  | FW |  IRL | Mark Isong
—  | FW |  ENG | Daeshon Lawrence
—  | FW |  ENG | Charlie Warren

### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

40  | GK |  ENG | Luke Hutchinson (on loan at Altrincham until 31 May 2026)
—  | DF |  ENG | Ajay Weston (on loan at FC United of Manchester until January 2026)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

—  | MF |  ENG | Dubem Eze (on loan at Scunthorpe United until 31 May 2026)

## Club officials

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers Football & Athletic Co management[125][126]

Role  | Name

|

Chairman | Sharon Brittan
Sporting Director | Fergal Harkin
Head of Recruitment | Jimmy Dickinson
Head Coach | Steven Schumacher
Assistant Head Coach | Richie Kyle
Assistant Coach | Mark Hughes
Goalkeeping Coach | Owain Fôn Williams
B Team Head Coach | Andy Taylor
B Team Coach | Andrew Tutte
Head of Academy | Dave Gardiner
U-18 Coach | Julian Darby
Academy Goalkeeping Coach | Andy Fairman
Head Physiotherapist | Matt Barrass
First Team Physiotherapist | Steve Blakeley
Academy Physiotherapists | Dave Newbold
Matt Pearce
Head of Sport Science | Paul Walsh
First Team Strength & Conditioning Coaches | Jack Inman
Matt Pelham
Sports Therapist | Matt Donnelly
Head Kitman | Craig Rowson
Assistant Kitman | Brett Ormerod
First Team Analyst | Harry Taylor
Academy Analyst | Matt Stephens

## Honours

[edit]

Further information: List of Bolton Wanderers F.C. records and statistics § Honours and achievements

League

* Second Division / First Division (level 2)
* Champions: 1908–09, 1977–78, 1996–97
* 2nd place promotion: 1899–1900, 1904–05, 1910–11, 1934–35
* Play-off winners: 1995, 2001
* Third Division / Football League Second Division / League One (level 3)
* Champions: 1972–73
* 2nd place promotion: 1992–93, 2016–17
* Fourth Division / League Two (level 4)
* 3rd place promotion: 1987–88, 2020–21

Cup

* FA Cup
* Winners: 1922–23, 1925–26, 1928–29, 1957–58
* Runners-up: 1893–94, 1903–04, 1952–53
* Football League Cup
* Runners-up: 1994–95, 2003–04
* FA Charity Shield
* Winners: 1958
* Associate Members' Cup / EFL Trophy
* Winners: 1988–89, 2022–23
* Runners-up: 1985–86
* Football League War Cup
* Winners: 1945

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Complete Handbook HI RES.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
2. ^ a b c d "David Rubin & Partners, Administrators For Bolton Wanderers". Bolton Wanderers FC. BWFC. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
3. ^ a b c d "Bolton Wanderers: Football Ventures completes takeover to save League One club". BBC Sport. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
4. ^ a b c Lynch, Russell (26 January 2022). "Taxpayers left with stake in Bolton Wanderers after £5m pandemic loan turned into shares". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
5. ^ "All Time English Top Flight Table". The English Football Archive. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
6. ^ "Here lies the founder of Bolton Wanderers". The Bolton News. 20 April 2007. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
7. ^ "Whites to honour the first Wanderer". Bolton News. 3 August 2007. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
8. ^ Goldstein, Dan (1999). The Rough Guide to English Football: A fans' handbook 1999–2000. Rough Guides Ltd. p. 60\. ISBN 1-85828-455-4.
9. ^ "In the Beginning – 1800s". Bolton Wanderers official website. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007.
10. ^ "FA Cup Final 1894". fa-cupfinals.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
11. ^ James, Gary (2006). Manchester City – The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. ISBN 1-85983-512-0., p31
12. ^ a b "League History Bolton Wanderers – Bolton Wanderers FC". Bolton Wanderers Mad. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
13. ^ "England 1924/25". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 20 September 2000. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
14. ^ Asthana, Anushka (30 May 1923). "The F.A. Cup: Bolton's Victory". The Times. UK. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
15. ^ "Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City FA Cup Final 1926, Bolton Wanderers FC – Football – Sport c/o Buy Iconic Newspaper Photos at". Mirror-Photos.co.uk. 29 April 2011. Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
16. ^ Scallan, Trevor (30 August 1919). "Greens on Screen Database". Greensonscreen.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
17. ^ a b c Purcell, Tim; Gething, Mike (22 November 2001). Wartime Wanderers: Bolton Wanderers – A football team at war. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 1-84018-583-X.
18. ^ "BBC News – Burnden Park football disaster remembered 65 years on". BBC News. 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
19. ^ Baker, Norman (1998). "Have They Forgotten Bolton?" (PDF). The Sports Historian. 18 (1). The British Society of Sports History: 120–151\. doi:10.1080/17460269809444773. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
20. ^ "1953 – The Matthews Final". BBC Sport. 10 May 2001. Archived from the original on 17 December 2002. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
21. ^ "1958 – Man Utd's Brave Dream". BBC Sport. 10 May 2001. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
22. ^ a b c d e f g Marland, Simon (2011). Bolton Wanderers: The Complete Record. DB Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85983-972-0.
23. ^ a b c d Marland, Simon (2002). Bolton Wanderers F.C.: The Official History 1877–2002. ISBN 1-874427-54-2.
24. ^ "Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse dies at 85". BBC News. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
25. ^ "White Hot Years". The Bolton News. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
26. ^ "LFC in the League Cup final: 1995 – McManaman masterclass wins praise from wing wizard Matthews". Liverpool Echo. 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
27. ^ "Football Statistics Archive". The Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
28. ^ "RETRO MATCH: Wanderers 4 Charlton 1, 1996/97". The Bolton News. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
29. ^ Iles, Marc (8 July 2017). "Two decades after Gerry Taggart's 'goal that never was' - Bolton Wanderers finally get goal-line technology". The Bolton News. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
30. ^ "Football Statistics Archive". The Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
31. ^ "April 2nd 2000 – FA Cup semi-final Wembley Aston Villa 0 Bolton 0 Aston Villa won 4–1 on penalties". Birmingham Mail. 9 April 2010. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
32. ^ "Bolton suffer semi-final heartbreak". BBC Sport. 29 June 2000. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
33. ^ "'We've only got ourselves to blame' – says Bergsson". The Bolton News. 18 May 2000. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
34. ^ "Clockwatch: Bolton 3–0 Preston". BBC Sport. 28 May 2001. Archived from the original on 24 December 2002. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
35. ^ Taylor, Daniel (22 October 2001). "Manchester United 1 – 2 Bolton Wanderers". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
36. ^ "Bolton Wanderers results in Premier League 2001/02 | Bolton Wanderers archive and stats". ESPN.co.uk. 26 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
37. ^ "Bolton Stun Leeds". BBC Sport. 17 November 2002. Archived from the original on 11 July 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
38. ^ "Bolton seal survival". BBC. 11 May 2003. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
39. ^ "Boro lift Carling Cup". BBC Sport. 29 February 2004. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
40. ^ "Premier League – Portsmouth 1–1 Bolton". BBC News. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
41. ^ "Europe – Marseille 2–1 Bolton (agg: 2–1)". BBC News. 23 February 2006. Archived from the original on 20 May 2006. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
42. ^ "Big Sam on Finance, farewells and what really happened with Eto'o and Rivaldo..." The Bolton News. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
43. ^ Fletcher, Paul (11 May 2008). "Premier League – Chelsea 1–1 Bolton". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
44. ^ "Bayern Munich 2–2 Bolton". 8 November 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
45. ^ Gaunt, Ken (7 December 2007). "Uefa Cup: Crvena Zvezda 0-1 Bolton". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
46. ^ "UEFA Europa League 2007/08 – History – Atlético-Bolton – UEFA.com". 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
47. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (13 March 2008). "Europe – S Lisbon 1–0 Bolton (agg: 2–1)". BBC News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
48. ^ "Bolton sign £10m-rated Elmander". BBC Sport. 27 June 2008. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
49. ^ "Bolton 0 – 5 Stoke". BBC Sport. 17 April 2011. Archived from the original on 22 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
50. ^ Jackson, Jamie (10 October 2012). "Fabrice Muamba 'devastated' over Bolton sacking Owen Coyle". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
51. ^ Wilson, Paul (13 May 2012). "Bolton are relegated after Jon Walters secures draw for Stoke". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
52. ^ Dawkes, Phil (18 June 2013). "Football League reveals six fixtures early to mark 125th anniversary". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
53. ^ Marc Iles (21 March 2018). "Former Bolton owner Eddie Davies wipes nearly £200m off books". The Bolton News.
54. ^ "Neil Lennon: Bolton Wanderers have 'been through hell'". BBC Sport. 28 December 2015. Archived from the original on 28 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
55. ^ "Bolton Wanderers: Club avoid immediate winding-up order". BBC Sport. 18 January 2016. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
56. ^ "Bolton Wanderers takeover completed by Sports Shield consortium". Press Association. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
57. ^ "Bolton Wanderers relegated as Johnny Russell lifts Derby play-off hopes". The Observer. Press Association. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
58. ^ Sutcliffe, Steven (30 April 2017). "Bolton 3 Peterborough 0: Wanderers earn promotion back to Championship". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
59. ^ "Bolton Wanderers out of transfer embargo, says chairman Ken Anderson". BBC Sport. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
60. ^ "Bolton pull off miracle comeback to survive and relegate Burton on final day". mirror. Press Association. 6 May 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
61. ^ "Bolton avoid administration and points loss after creditor agrees deal". The Guardian. 12 September 2018.
62. ^ Marc Iles (8 October 2018). "Bolton Wanderers are served with winding-up petition from HMRC". The Bolton News.
63. ^ "Forest Green confirm legal action against Wanderers". The Bolton News. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
64. ^ "Bolton Wanderers: Club to appear in High Court over HMRC winding-up petition". BBC Sport. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
65. ^ "Bolton Wanderers FC win stay of execution in winding-up fight". ITV News. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
66. ^ "Bolton Wanderers v Brentford called off by EFL with wages still owed to Bolton players". BBC Sport. 26 April 2019.
67. ^ "Bolton Wanderers' game against Brentford cancelled and Bees given three points". BBC Sport. 3 May 2019.
68. ^ "Bolton Whites Hotel due in High Court to face winding up order". The Bolton News. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
69. ^ Iles, Marc (15 May 2019). "Administrators appointed to Bolton Whites Hotel". Bolton News. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
70. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 0–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
71. ^ a b "Bolton Wanderers given 14 days by High Court to appoint administrator". BBC Sport. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
72. ^ Challies, Josh (13 May 2019). "Bolton Wanderers to start 2019–20 season with points deduction". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
73. ^ "GAME OVER: Oldham Athletic cancel Wanderers friendly". The Bolton News. 22 July 2019.
74. ^ "Wanderers call-off Preston friendly because of player strike". The Bolton News. 20 July 2019.
75. ^ "Bolton players refuse to play pre-season friendly against Chester". Sky Sports. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
76. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 2–0 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
77. ^ Freeman, Jay (10 August 2019). "Bolton Wanderers 0–0 Coventry City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
78. ^ "Bolton: Phil Parkinson contacts EFL over player welfare concerns". BBC Sport. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
79. ^ a b "Bolton Wanderers: Doncaster Rovers match postponed over welfare concerns". BBC Sport. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
80. ^ "Statement on behalf of Paul Appleton, joint administrator for Bolton Wanderers". Bolton Wanderers FC. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
81. ^ "Phil Parkinson: Bolton Wanderers manager resigns from League One club". BBC Sport. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
82. ^ "Statement on behalf of Paul Appleton, Joint Administrator For Bolton Wanderers". 26 August 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
83. ^ "Bolton Wanderers' future under renewed threat after takeover deal collapses". BBC Sport. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
84. ^ "Statement: Bolton Wanderers". EFL. 27 August 2019.
85. ^ "Keith Hill: Bolton Wanderers appoint ex-Rochdale boss as manager". BBC Sport. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
86. ^ "Bolton Wanderers sign Bridcutt, Verlinden, O'Grady, Crawford, Buckley, Emmanuel, Wright, Murphy, Bunney". BBC Sport. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
87. ^ Bristol Rovers 0–2 Bolton Wanderers. BBC Sport. Retrieved: 22 November 2019
88. ^ Bolton Wanderers given suspended five-point deduction for failing to fulfil fixtures. BBC Sport. Retrieved: 22 November 2019
89. ^ Club Statement. Bolton Wanderers. Retrieved: 22 November 2019.
90. ^ "Bolton Wanderers: English Football League to appeal against 'lenient' punishment". BBC Sport. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
91. ^ "Bolton Wanderers: Suspended five-point deduction upheld by panel". BBC Sport. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
92. ^ "Keith Hill: Bolton Wanderers boss to leave after relegation from League One". BBC Sport. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
93. ^ "Ian Evatt: Bolton Wanderers name Barrow manager as new head coach". BBC Sport. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
94. ^ BBC Sport: Bolton promoted after win at Crawley
95. ^ "Bolton Wanderers owners agree settlements with unsecured creditors". BBC Sport. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
96. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport.
97. ^ "Bolton part company with boss Evatt". BBC Sport. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
98. ^ "Bolton appoint ex-Argyle and Stoke boss Schumacher". BBC Sport. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
99. ^ a b "Bolton Wanderers – The Beautiful History". 12 September 2010. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
100. ^ "Bolton Wanderers – Historical Football Kits". Historicalkits.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
101. ^ "Origins of Nicknames for 20 Premier League Clubs | EPL Talk – Independent voice for EPL soccer fans since 2005". Epltalk.com. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
102. ^ "Burnden Park". The Stadium Guide. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
103. ^ Kelly, Graham (2005). Terrace Heroes: The Life and Times of the 1930s Professional Footballer. Routledge. p. 56. ISBN 0-7146-8294-2.
104. ^ Seddon, Ian (August 2012). Ah'm Tellin' Thee – a Biography of Tommy Banks, Bolton Wanderers and England. Paragon Publishing. p. 213\. ISBN 978-1-908341-93-8.
105. ^ "[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Design process – Reebok Stadium – Case studies – CABE". Archived from the original on 18 January 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
106. ^ Antrobus, Sam (17 December 2012). "Should football fans really be so fearful of such deals?". FootballFanCast.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
107. ^ "BWFC strike stadium and kit deal with Macron". bwfc.co.uk. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
108. ^ "Welcome to the University of Bolton Stadium". bwfc.co.uk. 1 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
109. ^ "The Toughsheet Community Stadium". Bolton Wanderers FC. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
110. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
111. ^ "Bolton Wanderers Free School 'not financially viable'". bwfc.co.uk. 7 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
112. ^ a b "About BWSA – Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Association". Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
113. ^ "AIM Market Statistics May 2003" (PDF). London Stock Exchange. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2014.
114. ^ "Burnden Leisure plc Report and Accounts 2012" (PDF). Bolton Wanderers F.C. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
115. ^ "Davies takes over Bolton". BBC Sport. 29 December 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
116. ^ a b "Financial problems at Bolton Wanderers examined". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
117. ^ "Bolton could face league expulsion after being given Tuesday deadline by EFL". BBC Sport. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
118. ^ Trotters waiting on answers from Jaaskelainen and Knight (22 May 2012). "Bolton duo offered new deals". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
119. ^ "Reebok Renews Naming Rights Deal at Bolton". Sportbusiness.com. 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
120. ^ "Bolton's ground to be renamed the Macron Stadium from July". The Guardian. Press Association. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
121. ^ Chaudhari, Saiqa (1 August 2018). "MACRON REBRAND: Home of Bolton Wanderers to be renamed". The Bolton News. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
122. ^ "The Toughsheet Community Stadium". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
123. ^ "First Team". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
124. ^ "B Team". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
125. ^ "First Team". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
126. ^ "B Team". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bolton Wanderers FC.

* Official website
*   * Bolton Wanderers F.C. on BBC Sport: Club news – Recent results and fixtures

* v
* t
* e

Bolton Wanderers Football Club

* History
* Players
* Managers
* Reserves and Academy
* Records and statistics
* Head-to-head
* Honours
* Seasons
* Current season

Home stadium|

* Pike's Lane
* Burnden Park
* Toughsheet Community Stadium

Players|

* 100+ appearances
* 25–99 appearances
* 1–24 appearances

Related teams|

* Bolton Wanderers Women

Related articles|

* Burnden Park disaster
* Bolton Wanderers Free School
* Player of the Year
* Going to the Match

* v
* t
* e

Bolton Wanderers F.C. seasons

* 1881–82
* 1882–83
* 1883–84
* 1884–85
* 1885–86
* 1886–87
* 1887–88
* 1888–89
* 1889–90
* 1890–91
* 1891–92
* 1892–93
* 1893–94
* 1894–95
* 1895–96
* 1896–97
* 1897–98
* 1898–99
* 1899–1900
* 1900–01
* 1901–02
* 1902–03
* 1903–04
* 1904–05
* 1905–06
* 1906–07
* 1907–08
* 1908–09
* 1909–10
* 1910–11
* 1911–12
* 1912–13
* 1913–14
* 1914–15
* 1915–16
* 1916–17
* 1917–18
* 1918–19
* 1919–20
* 1920–21
* 1921–22
* 1922–23
* 1923–24
* 1924–25
* 1925–26
* 1926–27
* 1927–28
* 1928–29
* 1929–30
* 1930–31
* 1931–32
* 1932–33
* 1933–34
* 1934–35
* 1935–36
* 1936–37
* 1937–38
* 1938–39
* 1939–40
* 1940–41
* 1941–42
* 1942–43
* 1943–44
* 1944–45
* 1945–46
* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1949–50
* 1950–51
* 1951–52
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025-26

* v
* t
* e

Premier League

Seasons|

* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26
* 2026–27

Clubs|

| 2025–26|

* Arsenal
* Aston Villa
* Bournemouth
* Brentford
* Brighton & Hove Albion
* Burnley
* Chelsea
* Crystal Palace
* Everton
* Fulham
* Leeds United
* Liverpool
* Manchester City
* Manchester United
* Newcastle United
* Nottingham Forest
* Sunderland
* Tottenham Hotspur
* West Ham United
* Wolverhampton Wanderers

|

Former|

* Barnsley
* Birmingham City
* Blackburn Rovers
* Blackpool
* Bolton Wanderers
* Bradford City
* Cardiff City
* Charlton Athletic
* Coventry City
* Derby County
* Huddersfield Town
* Hull City
* Ipswich Town
* Leicester City
* Luton Town
* Middlesbrough
* Norwich City
* Oldham Athletic
* Portsmouth
* Queens Park Rangers
* Reading
* Sheffield United
* Sheffield Wednesday
* Southampton
* Stoke City
* Swansea City
* Swindon Town
* Watford
* West Bromwich Albion
* Wigan Athletic
* Wimbledon (defunct)

Competition|

* Teams
* winners
* performance record
* Big Six
* Players
* foreign
* foreign scorers
* winners
* Managers
* current
* Stadiums
* Founding
* Broadcasters
* overseas
* in the U.S.
* Productions
* Referees

Statistics
and awards|

* Records
* All-time table
* Hat-tricks
* Highest scores
* Golden Boot
* Golden Glove
* Manager of the Season
* Player of the Season
* Young Player of the Season
* Playmaker of the Season
* Goal of the Season
* Save of the Season
* Game Changer of the Season
* Most Powerful Goal
* Manager of the Month
* Player of the Month
* Goal of the Month
* Save of the Month
* Players with 100+ goals
* Players with 500+ appearances
* Top scorers by season
* Goalkeepers with 100+ clean sheets
* Goalkeepers who have scored a goal
* 10 Seasons Awards
* 20 Seasons Awards
* Hall of Fame

Finances|

* Richest clubs:
* Deloitte list
* Forbes list
* Team owners
* Transfer records
* Game 39
* Premier League–Football League gulf
* Parachute and solidarity payments

Associated
competitions|

* Fantasy Premier League
* Asia Trophy
* FA Community Shield
* FA Cup
* EFL Cup
* UEFA Champions League
* UEFA Europa League
* UEFA Conference League
* Premier League 2
* Premier League Cup
* Premier Reserve League (defunct)
* U18 Premier League
* Premier League International Cup
* Summer Series

Related media|

* Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League

* Category

* v
* t
* e

EFL Championship

Seasons|

* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Clubs|

| 2025–26 clubs|

* Birmingham City
* Blackburn Rovers
* Bristol City
* Charlton Athletic
* Coventry City
* Derby County
* Hull City
* Ipswich Town
* Leicester City
* Middlesbrough
* Millwall
* Norwich City
* Oxford United
* Portsmouth
* Preston North End
* Queens Park Rangers
* Sheffield United
* Sheffield Wednesday
* Southampton
* Stoke City
* Swansea City
* Watford
* West Bromwich Albion
* Wrexham

|

Former clubs|

* Aston Villa
* Barnsley
* Blackpool
* Bolton Wanderers
* Bournemouth
* Brentford
* Brighton & Hove Albion
* Burnley
* Burton Albion
* Cardiff City
* Colchester United
* Crewe Alexandra
* Crystal Palace
* Doncaster Rovers
* Fulham
* Gillingham
* Huddersfield Town
* Leeds United
* Luton Town
* Milton Keynes Dons
* Newcastle United
* Nottingham Forest
* Peterborough United
* Plymouth Argyle
* Reading
* Rotherham United
* Scunthorpe United
* Southend United
* Sunderland
* West Ham United
* Wigan Athletic
* Wolverhampton Wanderers
* Wycombe Wanderers
* Yeovil Town

Competition|

* Seasons
* Teams (winners)
* Players (foreign)
* Managers (current)
* Stadiums
* Referees

Statistics and awards|

* Records
* EFL Awards
* Golden Boot
* Golden Glove
* Manager of the Month
* Player of the Month
* Hat-tricks
* Young Player of the Month

Finances|

* Club owners
* Premier League–Football League gulf
* Parachute and solidarity payments

Sponsors|

* Coca-Cola (2004–10)
* Npower (2010–13)
* Sky Bet (2013–present)

Associated competitions|

Current
Play-offs
FA Cup
EFL Cup
Past
Anglo-Franco-Scottish Friendship Cup
Anglo-Italian Cup
Full Members' Cup

Prospects|

* Promotion to Premier League
* Relegation to EFL League One

* v
* t
* e

EFL League One

Seasons|

* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Clubs|

| 2025–26 clubs|

* AFC Wimbledon
* Barnsley
* Blackpool
* Bolton Wanderers
* Bradford City
* Burton Albion
* Cardiff City
* Doncaster Rovers
* Exeter City
* Huddersfield Town
* Leyton Orient
* Lincoln City
* Luton Town
* Mansfield Town
* Northampton Town
* Peterborough United
* Plymouth Argyle
* Port Vale
* Reading
* Rotherham United
* Stevenage
* Stockport County
* Wigan Athletic
* Wycombe Wanderers

|

Former clubs|

* Accrington Stanley
* AFC Bournemouth
* Birmingham City
* Blackburn Rovers
* Brentford
* Brighton & Hove Albion
* Bristol City
* Bristol Rovers
* Bury
* Cambridge United
* Carlisle United
* Charlton Athletic
* Cheltenham Town
* Chesterfield
* Colchester United
* Coventry City
* Crawley Town
* Crewe Alexandra
* Dagenham & Redbridge
* Derby County
* Fleetwood Town
* Forest Green Rovers
* Gillingham
* Hartlepool United
* Hereford United (defunct)
* Hull City
* Ipswich Town
* Leeds United
* Leicester City
* Millwall
* Milton Keynes Dons
* Morecambe
* Norwich City
* Nottingham Forest
* Notts County
* Oldham Athletic
* Oxford United
* Portsmouth
* Preston North End
* Rochdale
* Scunthorpe United
* Sheffield United
* Sheffield Wednesday
* Shrewsbury Town
* Southampton
* Southend United
* Sunderland
* Swansea City
* Swindon Town
* Torquay United
* Tranmere Rovers
* Walsall
* Wolverhampton Wanderers
* Wrexham
* Yeovil Town

Competition|

* Seasons
* Teams (winners)
* Managers
* current
* Stadia
* Referees

Statistics and awards|

* Records
* EFL Awards
* Golden Boot
* Golden Glove
* Manager of the Month
* Player of the Month
* Hat-tricks
* Young Player of the Month

Finances|

* Club owners
* Premier League–Football League gulf
* Parachute and solidarity payments

Sponsors|

* Coca-Cola (2004–10)
* Npower (2010–13)
* Sky Bet (2013–)

Associated competitions|

* FA Cup
* EFL Cup
* EFL Trophy
* Play-offs

Prospects|

* Promotion to EFL Championship
* Relegation to EFL League Two

* v
* t
* e

EFL League Two

Seasons|

* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Clubs|

| 2025–26 clubs|

* Accrington Stanley
* Barnet
* Barrow
* Bromley
* Bristol Rovers
* Cambridge United
* Cheltenham Town
* Chesterfield
* Colchester United
* Crawley Town
* Crewe Alexandra
* Fleetwood Town
* Gillingham
* Grimsby Town
* Harrogate Town
* Milton Keynes Dons
* Newport County
* Notts County
* Oldham Athletic
* Salford City
* Shrewsbury Town
* Swindon Town
* Tranmere Rovers
* Walsall

|

Former clubs|

* AFC Bournemouth
* AFC Wimbledon
* Aldershot Town
* Blackpool
* Bolton Wanderers
* Boston United
* Bradford City
* Brentford
* Burton Albion
* Bury
* Carlisle United
* Chester City (defunct)
* Coventry City
* Dagenham & Redbridge
* Darlington (defunct)
* Doncaster Rovers
* Exeter City
* Forest Green Rovers
* Hartlepool United
* Hereford United (defunct)
* Kidderminster Harriers
* Leyton Orient
* Lincoln City
* Luton Town
* Macclesfield Town (defunct)
* Mansfield Town
* Morecambe
* Northampton Town
* Oxford United
* Peterborough United
* Plymouth Argyle
* Portsmouth
* Port Vale
* Rochdale
* Rotherham United
* Rushden & Diamonds (defunct)
* Scunthorpe United
* Southend United
* Stevenage
* Stockport County
* Sutton United
* Swansea City
* Torquay United
* Wrexham
* Wycombe Wanderers
* Yeovil Town
* York City

Competition|

* Teams (winners)
* Managers
* Referees
* Stadia

Statistics and awards|

* Records
* EFL Awards
* Golden Boot
* Golden Glove
* Manager of the Month
* Player of the Month
* Hat-tricks
* Young Player of the Month

Finances|

* Club Owners
* Premier League–Football League gulf
* Parachute and solidarity payments

Sponsors|

* Coca-Cola (2004–10)
* Npower (2010–13)
* Sky Bet (2013–)

Associated competitions|

* FA Cup
* EFL Cup
* EFL Trophy
* Play-offs

Prospects|

* Promotion to EFL League One
* Relegation to National League

* v
* t
* e

The Football League original clubs, 1888–89

* Accrington
* Aston Villa
* Blackburn Rovers
* Bolton Wanderers
* Burnley
* Derby County
* Everton
* Notts County
* Preston North End
* Stoke
* West Bromwich Albion
* Wolverhampton Wanderers

* v
* t
* e

Football in Greater Manchester

Manchester FA

Clubs
(List of)|

| Premier League &
Football League
(tiers 1–4)|

| 1|

* Manchester City
* Manchester United

|

None

* Bolton Wanderers
* Stockport County
* Wigan Athletic

* Oldham Athletic
* Salford City

Non-League
(tiers 5–11)|

| 5|

* Altrincham
* Rochdale

|

* Curzon Ashton
* Radcliffe

* Ashton United
* F.C. United of Manchester
* Hyde United

* Atherton Collieries
* Avro
* Bury
* Mossley
* Stalybridge Celtic
* Trafford
* Wythenshawe
* Wythenshawe Town

* Abbey Hey
* Chadderton
* Cheadle Town
* Irlam
* Prestwich Heys
* Ramsbottom United
* Stockport Town
* West Didsbury & Chorlton

10|

* Ashton Athletic
* Ashton Town
* Atherton Laburnum Rovers
* Cheadle Heath Nomads
* Daisy Hill
* Droylsden
* Maine Road
* Stockport Georgians

11|

* Eagley

Competitions|

* Manchester Premier Cup
* Manchester Senior Cup

Venues|

* Boundary Park
* Bower Fold
* Brick Community Stadium
* Broadhurst Park
* Butcher's Arms Ground
* City of Manchester Stadium
* Edgeley Park
* Ewen Fields
* Gigg Lane
* Moor Lane
* Moss Lane
* Old Trafford
* Spotland Stadium
* Toughsheet Community Stadium
* Vestacare Stadium

Other topics|

* Manchester derby

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[DF]: Defender
*[FW]: Forward
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template