Bolton Wanderers
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Latest Bolton Wanderers News:
- » Bolton sign £10m-rated Elmander
- Bolton sign Sweden striker Johan Elmander on a three-year deal from French club Toulouse for a fee believed to be about £10m.
- » Hull chase Meite and Olofinjana
- Hull are chasing the signings of Bolton defender Abdoulaye Meite and Wolves midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, boss Phil Brown tells BBC Radio Humberside.
- » Bolton splash out £5m on Muamba
- Bolton sign Fabrice Muamba from Birmingham City in a deal worth over £5m.
- » Fulham sign Andranik from Bolton
- Fulham sign Iranian midfielder Andranik Teymourian from Bolton on a free transfer.
- » Bolton begin against Stoke
- Premier League champions Man Utd begin their title defence against Newcastle on the opening weekend of the new season.
- » New Bolton deal for Jaaskelainen
- Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen agrees a new four-year contract to stay at the Reebok Stadium.
- » Annan linked with Premier switch
- IK Start's Ghanaian midfielder Anthony Annan has linked himself with a move to the English Premier League.
- » Thompson finishes playing career
- Leeds United club captain Alan Thompson retires after 17 years as a professional.
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- The latest Bolton content and debate on 606
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Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers were formed in 1874 by the Vicar of Christ Church Sunday School, Bolton, when he created an outdoor recreational club. In 1877 the footballers amongst the club re-christened themselves Bolton Wanderers. Bolton Wanderers were one of twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888.
In 1895 the Bolton Wanderers moved to Burnden Park, which became one of the most famous grounds in the country when it hosted the 1901 FA Cup Final replay. Bolton themselves won the FA Cup in 1923 (the first final played at Wembley Stadium).
During the 1930's the club slipped out of the top flight but returned in 1935 to put together a run of 29 consecutive years as members of the old first division. The club won the Football League North war cup in 1945 by defeating Manchester United over two legs and followed this up with a victory over the Southern winners, Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge.
Bolton Wanderers produced one of England's greatest forwards in Nat Lofthouse, who went on to become the clubs record goal scorer with 285 first class goals. Nat also scored 30 goals in 33 England appearances, later becoming the Wanderers coach, manager and is now the club President.
In 1958 the Bolton won the FA Cup when two Nat Lofthouse goals defeated Manchester United.
Bolton also had their fair share of ups and downs during the 60's, 70's and 80's, and by 1987 the Wanderers found themselves in the basement of the Football League. However, the ensuing ten years brought about the most exciting decade in the clubs history both on and off the park. In 1993, Wanderers gained national prominence by knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Anfield.
In 1995, Bolton were promoted to the Premiership by beating Reading 4-3 at Wembley in the play-off final. After just one season the club were relegated but bounced back at the first attempt.
1996/97 season proved to be one of the most successful League season in the clubs history, with Bolton winning the first division championship. Club records tumbled : most points in a season (98), most goals scored in a season (100) and most wins in a season (28). It also proved to be the end of an era as the championship trophy was presented at the final Burnden Park game to make it a happy ending to 102 years at the ground.
1997/98 season saw Bolton back in the Premiership and at their new ground, the Reebok Stadium. Unfortunately, they were relegated again after just one season. Bolton regained Premiership status again in the 2001/02 season, where they remain today.
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