Bolton Wanderers today put an end Oxford's unbeaten run in another thrilling encounter at the Unibol Stadium with Bolton's current playing style showing a welcome resemblance to years gone by and most characteristic of the famous White Hot Years - as they were known.

In the early 90's Bolton Wanderers burst onto the scene overnight with the 2-0 demolition of Liverpool at Anfield during an FA Cup 3rd Round replay. Wanderers had all but disappeared to third and fourth tier obscurity during difficult times but were experiencing a resurgence under new manager Bruce Rioch, with his creative, attack minded approach and entertaining style. Despite being in the old Division Two (league one equivalent) Bolton were prepared to take the game to the FA Cup holders and won in style - the memory of McGinlay's soaring header living long in the Bolton consciousness. 

In 2021 the 90's revival is everywhere - from haircuts and music to fashion and home styling - and Bolton Wanderers are doing their bit to bring the magic on the pitch once again. Sure we had some good forays into the Premier League and even travelled Europe in unparalleled UEFA cup success in the noughties' but nothing matches our unassailable rise and rise during the 90's with giant killings, scintillating football and a world of possibilities as we unveiled the most spectacular football stadium in the country. Now, finally, after too many years of football certainly not coming home, Ian Evatt looks to have conjured up the perfect mix of grit and substance to be able to give any team in the land a good run for their money.

Fact. We are not solid at the back, but you know what, it only serves to enrich our enjoyment! After five end to end games of football so far this season - filled with chances, goal mouth action - and goals - no Wanderers' fan can say that the entertainment factor is anything short of breathtaking!

Today saw Wanderers' beat Oxford United 2-1 but the scoreline doesn't even begin to tell the story! The fans were witness to almost 30 attempts on goal, 35 crosses and 15 corners among numerous attacking surges, counter attacks and continuous inventive passing from both sides. And this is not an anomaly, indeed Bolton have scored 9 goals in the opening 4 league games but have also conceded 7, with two of the games ending in 3-3 draws. Every match is played at break neck speed right up until the final whistle.  

Back in November 2020 when Bolton sat just above the relegation zone in the bottom tier of English football, Ian Evatt said, "I was brought in to provide, counterattacking and attacking football with pace, intensity, tempo (and) precision" - and that is what we are seeing now.

Compare this to start of the Bruce Rioch era where Bolton were teetering just 3 points above the drop zone in the lowly old second division before suddenly turning a corner and going on a long unbeaten run. The season culminated with the Wanderers clinching promotion on the final day after winning 5 games on the trot. In the FA Cup Bolton went on to beat Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa - all Premier League teams - over the course of a couple of seasons. Bolton's strikers were bagging goals for fun and topped out at 100 goals in the league in a single season during the same spell.

Evatt's team have played out a similar story, from looking like relegation scrappers with the potential to drop out of the football league entirely, at Christmas, to going on a huge unbeaten run an hauling themselves up the league. In May a 4-1 victory against Crawley Town, with 78% possession to the whites, clinched automatic promotion on the final day of the season. Last week in the league cup, Evatt's newly promoted Bolton beat Championship outfit Barnsley who - whilst not exactly giants - finished in the playoffs earlier this year. Could this be the start of a new white hot era for the Wanderers? 

Whatever happens from here on in, as long as we continue to play with the same enthusiasm and whilst the crowds go home thoroughly entertained, I think it is finally safe to say that Bolton have turned the corner. Twelve months ago nobody would have believed that Premiership football could once again be on the horizon but it truly is (dare I say). I, for one, am relishing the prospect of pulling a big team out of the hat in an FA Cup draw - I can't wait to see if Ian Evatt's super white army can emulate the dizzy achievements of Bruce Rioch and the gang. Being true underdogs is something that Manchester United , Liverpool and Arsenal fans will never be able to experience and nothing can ever beat the feeling of real giant killing. Will Evatt, Afolayan, Doyle and Sheehan be ready to write themselves into the eternal hall of fame and bring brand new white hot moments to a new generation of Bolton fans?

Share your opinion or talk all things BWFC here...

Two weeks ago, Wanderers fans were shocked when half way through our cup defeat at Elland Road, it was announced that Adam Le Fondre would be leaving the club. A new challenge awaited, as Sydney FC came calling with a fantastic opportunity for the popular striker.

A few days ago, Liam from Bolton Nuts presented me with the incredible opportunity of interviewing Le Fondre on his time at Bolton and life after BL6.

We started off by asking ALF if he had recovered yet from his 24 hour flight and acclimatised yet to being in glorious sunny Sydney.

“To be fair the transition has been real easy! Of course everyone talks about jet lag but I can safely say I hardly struggled with it! It’s always nice to go somewhere and fit in straight away and I feel like I have done so here!”

Talking of fitting in straight away, it didn’t take long for Le Fondre to make an impact at Bolton. The former Reading striker became a huge fans’ favourite with the Wanderers supporters, and even had his own chant. I asked Adam if he ever imagined he’d make such a big mark at Bolton when he had first signed.
“I would lying if said I expected that to happen” said Alfie, “but I always believed in my ability to score goals regularly, which obviously endears you to fans more! The fans were unbelievable with me!”

We then discussed his time as a member of the Wanderers squad, beginning with on the pitch matters: his favourite strike partner.
“In my first spell Cloughy and I had a great understanding and partnership which flourished. However when I came back and played with big Gaz I enjoyed that as a typical big man little man combo! If pushed for an answer I would say Cloughy, we just seemed to click with everything when we played together in training or games!”

Then onto off the pitch matters: the best and worst banter in the dressing rooms…
“Wheats – the worst banter and gear. Terrible effort! The best banter was Jem until he left! To be fair there’s a great group of lads there!!”

During just a few years of association with Bolton Wanderers, Adam has been a part of some incredible achievements. However, one in particular trumps the rest.
“I think staying up on the day tops promotion. Everyone had us relegated after Burton but we stuck in there and did it in some fashion! An amazing day I got share with my family – it was unreal!”

In response to being asked whether he might make a fourth return to Bolton, in either a playing or non-playing capacity, Le Fondre replied “never say never in football! Who knows?”

Finally, ALF left a message to the Wanderers fans, saying “I just to thank them for their unwavering support for me throughout my time there! Great bunch apart from Wes!”

So there you have it. I’m sure you can all join me in thanking Adam for his time here and service as a Wanderers player. No matter what the circumstances, it was clear that he always gave his all for the club, and was a real hero for us on many occasions. We wish Adam and his family all the very best for their new life in Australia.
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I’d like to also thank Liam and the team at Bolton Nuts for setting up this interview.

Interview brought to you by Wanderers Station http://www.wanderers-station.com in partnership with Bolton Nuts Forum forum.boltonnuts.co.uk. 

The original article can also be viewed here: wanderers-station.com/2018/08/28/adam-le-fondre-the-exclusive-interview/

There's only 2 days to go until our new Championship campaign gets underway against newly relegated West Bromich Albion.  This summer we have released 14 players and loaned Ben Amos out for the remainder of his contract.  We have recruited, to date,  9 replacements.  The majority of Bolton fans see these players as improvements over the squad we had for our last campaign.  So how do you expect us to perform this season?  Most pundits have us as one of the teams likely to be relegated.  Lets hope we can prove them wrong!

Bolton Nuts again will be running a few season long competitions so why not get involved.  The following competitions will be run again this season:

The Prediction League - Simply predict the score and first Bolton scorer and get points based on your predictions.  League table updated after every game.
The Betting Shop - Put your virtual money where you mouth is.  You start with a balance of £1000 and can place a maximum of 3 bets on what you think will happen using the bets posted up before each game.
Fantasy Leagues - We have created our own leagues on fantasy.premierleague.com and the Telegraph's Championship fantasy League.  We have also created out own Super 6 League where you can win £1million!
What's the point - Predict how many points the Wanderers will achieve in this coming season in the Championship.  The winner will get £25 donation to any charity of his choice.
£4million Drop - Based on the once popular £1million drop hosted by Davina Mccall.  You put bet your £4million on what you think the outcome of our local derbies will be.  You can split the bets or bet the full amount.

To take part in these competitions you must register in the forum and place your entries here.

Don't forget we will usually have a audio stream of the all the Bolton games throughout the season, which we like to call Radio Nuts.  As well as lively debate on the forum.

Hope to see you on the forum soon.

​The turnstiles were closed 20 minutes prior to kick off, but by this point the stand was already overly full.  15,000 people were still outside many still managing to get in by climbing walls and entering a gate which had been left open by a father and son escaping the crush inside.

The game kicked off on schedule at 3PM, but minutes later it was halted as fans split onto the pitch.  The pitch was cleared but two barriers gave way which caused the fans to surge forward again, crushing those underneath.  Bill Cheeseman was at the game with his sister, who had wanted to see Stoke's Stanley Matthews. described how “All of a sudden those that were in front of us seemed to go – all falling down like a pack of cards.  We managed to get out and I was glad about that."

Nat Lofthouse was by the referee when the official, George Dutton, was informed of the horrendous news of what was happening behind one of the goals.  A police officer said “I Believe those people over there are dead” pointing to the bodies placed on the ground.  After the referee called the two captains, Bolton’s Harry Hubbick and Stoke’s Neil Franklin, both teams were taken off the pitch and the field began to look like a military hospital where the dead and injured were laid on it.

After half an hour the unpopular decision to continue with the game was made by the then Chief Constable of Bolton, W J Howard.  As the players were coming out with the bodies of the dead lying alongside the pitch covered with their coats, one of the spectators grabbed hold of a Stoke player and hurled abuse at him for continuing with the game. 

A new sawdust lined touchline separated the players from the bodies.  There was no half time interval, the sides simply changed ends presumably to get the game finished.  The game finished 0-0.

1) What made you decide to get involved with the Supporters Trust?
I have been a supporter for 40 years.  I had become increasingly frustrated that the club was becoming more remote from the fans in the Gartside era. The events of winter 2015/16 convinced me that the ownership of the club should be broader with greater fan involvement and look to integrate the club further into the Bolton community.

2) What role is the Trust currently playing?
To support the club, support the specific aim of promoting young talent, improve the matchday experience, keep the views of the fans in the mind of the club, hold the owners to account in respect of major decisions

3) How much is the Trust working with the club?
We are working closely with the club on several issues – a working relationship is essential. We remain independent and on other issues we are keeping the owners to account.

4) What do you make of the club’s current position on and off the pitch?
Delighted at the promotion as the increased revenue of the Championship and the expiry of Premier League legacy contracts mean that the club is closer to stability and sustainability. We are under no illusion that investment and lifting the EFL embargo are huge priorities. After managing the difficult period to date, there needs to be a vision as to how the club is to move forward.

5) What are the Trust’s aims for the future?
As a community benefit society, we aim to promote the voice of the fan at the highest level within the club. Our aspiration is to help achieve greater success for the club

6) What are your predictions for this season?
The season must be about consolidation and stabilising the club. The removal of the embargo is a priority as without a broader squad, the club will find it difficult to compete. Being realistic and assuming we keep the restricted squad fit, I would hope for mid table.

Many thanks to Dan for his time.

https://wanderers-station.com/2017/08/17/interview-with-daniel-izza-chairman-of-the-supporters-trust/