Saturday, September 13, 2008
Bolton Wanderers FC History
Bolton Wanderers FC History
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. Bolton finished the 2003/2004 season in an unprecedented 8th place, consolidating their Premiership status.
Bolton are now currently in 6th place in the premierleague, optimistically hoping for a champions league place.
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 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 Bruch Rioch, who a few years earlier had won two successive promotions with Middlesbrough.
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 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 17th, 16th and 8th place finishes. 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.
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.
Labels: Bolton Wanderers FC History
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