View source for Bolton Wanderers F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Bolton Wanderers
| image = Bolton Wanderers FC logo.svg
| upright = 0.75
| alt = Badge of Bolton Wanderers
| fullname = Bolton Wanderers Football Club
| nickname = {{Plainlist|* The&nbsp;Trotters 
* The Wanderers
* The Whites}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1874}} (as ''Christ Church F.C.'')
| ground = [[Toughsheet Community Stadium]]
| capacity = 28,723<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete Handbook HI RES.pdf |url=http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/4f/53/0,,12306~152399,00.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214090029/http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/4f/53/0%2C%2C12306~152399%2C00.pdf |archive-date=14 December 2010 |access-date=19 August 2011}}</ref>
| manager = [[Steven Schumacher]]
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| chairman = Sharon Brittan<!--refers to herself as chairman, e.g. https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/a-message-to-supporters-from-sharon-brittan/-->
| league = {{English football updater|BoltonWa}}
| season = {{English football updater|BoltonWa2}}
| position = {{English football updater|BoltonWa3}}
| current = 2024–25 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season
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| website = {{URL|https://bwfc.co.uk}}
| owner = Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd (92%)<ref name="BWFC-28Aug2019" /><ref name="BBC-28Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=28 August 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers: Football Ventures completes takeover to save League One club |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48906359 |access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref><br />[[British Business Bank]] (8%)<ref name=Shares/>
}}

'''Bolton Wanderers Football Club''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-Bolton.ogg|ˈ|b|oʊ|l|t|ən}} {{respell|BOHL|tən}}) is a professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Horwich]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Bolton]], [[Greater Manchester]], England, which competes in [[EFL League One|League One]], the third level of the [[English football league system]].

Formed in 1874, it was a founding member of the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1888. The club won the Second Division title in 1908–09, and the [[FA Cup]] in [[1923 FA Cup final|1923]], the "White Horse Final", [[1926 FA Cup final|1926]], [[1929 FA Cup final|1929]] and [[1958 FA Cup final|1958]]. Bolton were relegated in 1964 and again in 1971, but regained their top-flight status after winning the [[Football League Third Division|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 [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] was secured in 1987–88, and they lifted the [[EFL Trophy|Football League Trophy]] in [[1989 Associate Members' Cup final|1989]] after being beaten finalists in [[1986 Associate Members' Cup final|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 Football League First Division play-off final|2001 First Division play-off final]]. Bolton then spent eleven consecutive seasons in the Premier League, reaching the [[2004 Football League Cup final|2004 League Cup final]] and the knock-out stages of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] twice. Two relegations in five years left them in [[EFL League One|League One]] by 2016, and though they won promotion in 2016–17, severe financial difficulties saw the club enter [[Administration (British football)|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.<ref name="BWFC-28Aug2019" /><ref name="BBC-28Aug2019" /> Relegated to the fourth tier in 2020, they won promotion out of [[EFL League Two|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Time English Top Flight Table |url=http://www.the-english-football-archive.com/records/1st_level_table.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129141541/http://www.the-english-football-archive.com/records/1st_level_table.htm |archive-date=29 January 2008 |access-date=22 February 2008 |website=The English Football Archive}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of Bolton Wanderers F.C.}}

===Early history (1877–1929)===
The club was founded by the Reverend [[Joseph Farrall Wright]], [[Perpetual curate]] of Christ Church Bolton,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Here lies the founder of Bolton Wanderers |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1342698.here_lies_the_founder_of_bolton_wanderers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155558/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1342698.here_lies_the_founder_of_bolton_wanderers/ |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=18 December 2015 |website=The Bolton News |date=20 April 2007}}</ref> and Thomas Ogden, the schoolmaster at the adjacent church school, in 1874 as Christ Church F.C.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 August 2007 |title=Whites to honour the first Wanderer |work=Bolton News |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1594445.print/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915044153/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1594445.print/ |archive-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goldstein |first=Dan |title=The Rough Guide to English Football: A fans' handbook 1999–2000 |publisher=[[Rough Guides|Rough Guides Ltd]] |year=1999 |isbn=1-85828-455-4 |page=60}}</ref>

Bolton were one of the 12 founder members of the [[Football League]], which formed in 1888.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In the Beginning&nbsp;– 1800s |url=http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,1004~534169,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905100645/http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C1004~534169%2C00.html |archive-date=5 September 2007 |access-date=24 June 2007 |website=Bolton Wanderers official website}}</ref> 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 [[Football League First Division|First Division]]) than out of it.

[[File:White Horse Final.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.8|Bolton won the celebrated [[1923 FA Cup final]]]]

[[File:BoltonWanderersFC League Performance.svg|thumb|right|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 [[1894 FA Cup final|lost 4–1]] to [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] at [[Goodison Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=FA Cup Final 1894 |url=http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1894.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717034450/http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1894.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 |access-date=11 April 2011 |publisher=fa-cupfinals.co.uk}}</ref> A decade later they were runners-up a second time, [[1904 FA Cup final|losing 1–0]] to local rivals [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] at [[Crystal Palace National Sports Centre|Crystal Palace]] on 23 April 1904.<ref>{{Cite book |last=James |first=Gary |title=Manchester City&nbsp;– The Complete Record |publisher=Breedon |year=2006 |isbn=1-85983-512-0 |location=Derby}}, p31</ref>

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 [[Football League First Division|First Division]] on only two occasions between [[1911–12 in English football|1911–12]] and [[1927–28 in English football|1927–28]].<ref name="league record">{{Cite web |title=League History Bolton Wanderers&nbsp;– Bolton Wanderers FC |url=http://www.boltonwanderers-mad.co.uk/league_history/bolton_wanderers/index.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320152226/http://www.boltonwanderers-mad.co.uk/league_history/bolton_wanderers/index.shtml |archive-date=20 March 2013 |access-date=26 March 2013 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers Mad}}</ref> In this period Bolton equalled their record finish of third twice, in [[1920–21 in English football|1920–21]] and [[1924–25 in English football|1924–25]], on the latter occasion missing out on the title by just 3 points (in an era of 2 points for a win).<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2000 |title=England 1924/25 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1924-25.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205203755/http://rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1924-25.html |archive-date=5 February 2010 |access-date=26 March 2013 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref>

On 28 April 1923, Bolton won their first major trophy in their third final, beating [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] 2–0 in the first ever [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] FA Cup final. The match, famously known as [[1923 FA Cup final|The White Horse final]] was played in front of over 127,000 supporters. Bolton's centre-forward, [[David Jack (footballer)|David Jack]] scored the first ever goal at Wembley Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Asthana |first=Anushka |date=30 May 1923 |title=The F.A. Cup: Bolton's Victory |work=The Times |location=UK |url=http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1923-04-30-06-001&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1923-04-30-06 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111222529/http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1923-04-30-06-001&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1923-04-30-06 |archive-date=11 January 2010}}</ref> Driven by long-term players [[Joe Smith (football forward, born 1889)|Joe Smith]] in attack, [[Ted Vizard]] and [[Billy Butler (footballer)|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 FA Cup final|1926]], beating Manchester City 1–0 in front of over 91,000 spectators,<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2011 |title=Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City FA Cup Final 1926, Bolton Wanderers FC – Football – Sport c/o Buy Iconic Newspaper Photos at |url=http://www.mirror-photos.co.uk/bolton_wanderers_v_manchester_city_fa_cup_final_1926/print/64405.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227071236/http://www.mirror-photos.co.uk/bolton_wanderers_v_manchester_city_fa_cup_final_1926/print/64405.html |archive-date=27 December 2011 |access-date=5 April 2013 |publisher=Mirror-Photos.co.uk}}</ref> and the third came in [[1929 FA Cup final|1929]] as [[Portsmouth F.C.|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 F.C.|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scallan |first=Trevor |date=30 August 1919 |title=Greens on Screen Database |url=http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=421&scp=1,2,3,5,6,7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708084027/http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=421 |archive-date=8 July 2019 |access-date=2 April 2013 |publisher=Greensonscreen.co.uk}}</ref>

===Top flight run and cup success (1929–1958)===
[[File:Nat_Lofthouse_statue.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[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&nbsp;– regarded by fans as a golden era&nbsp;– 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]].<ref name="wartime">{{Cite book |last1=Purcell |first1=Tim |title=Wartime Wanderers: Bolton Wanderers&nbsp;– A football team at war |last2=Gething |first2=Mike |date=22 November 2001 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=1-84018-583-X}}</ref> 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.<ref name="wartime" /> 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, [[Farouk of Egypt|King Farouk of Egypt]] in Cairo and Polish forces in Baghdad.<ref name="wartime" />

[[File:Sport and Leisure during the Second World War H7497.jpg|thumb|left|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 [[Association football|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 F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 2011 |title=BBC News&nbsp;– Burnden Park football disaster remembered 65 years on |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12686632 |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531182749/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12686632 |archive-date=31 May 2014}}</ref> 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 [[Ronw Moelwyn Hughes|Moelwyn Hughes]]'s official report, which recommended more rigorous control of crowd sizes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Baker |first=Norman |year=1998 |title=Have They Forgotten Bolton? |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportsHistorian/1998/sh181i.pdf |url-status=live |journal=The Sports Historian |publisher=The British Society of Sports History |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=120–151 |doi=10.1080/17460269809444773 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616043214/http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportsHistorian/1998/sh181i.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2012 |access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref>

In 1953, Bolton played in one of the most famous FA Cup finals of all time&nbsp;– [[1953 FA Cup final|The Stanley Matthews final]] of 1953. Bolton lost the game to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] 4–3 after having had a 3–1 lead. Blackpool were victorious thanks to the skills of [[Stanley Matthews|Matthews]] and the goals of [[Stan Mortensen]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 2001 |title=1953&nbsp;– The Matthews Final |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321960.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021217072954/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321960.stm |archive-date=17 December 2002}}</ref>

Bolton Wanderers have not won a major trophy since 1958, when two Lofthouse goals saw them overcome [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in the [[1958 FA Cup final|FA Cup final]] in front of a 100,000 crowd at Wembley Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 2001 |title=1958&nbsp;– Man Utd's Brave Dream |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321966.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427003138/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321966.stm |archive-date=27 April 2006}}</ref> The closest they have come to winning a major trophy since then is finishing runners-up in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]], first in 1995 and again in 2004.

===Few highs and many lows (1958–1995)===
While Bolton finished fourth the following season, the next 20 years proved to be a fallow period. The club suffered relegation to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] in [[1963–64 in English football|1963–64]], and were then relegated again to the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] for the first time in their history in [[1970–71 in English football|1970–71]].<ref name="league record" /> This stay in the Third Division lasted just two years before the club were promoted as champions in [[1972–73 in English football|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.<ref name="completerecord">{{Cite book |last=Marland |first=Simon |title=Bolton Wanderers: The Complete Record |publisher=DB Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-85983-972-0}}</ref>{{rp|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 F.C.|Newcastle United]] in the league, but the rest of the season was a struggle as Bolton finished close to the relegation places.<ref name="125years">{{Cite book |last=Marland |first=Simon |title=Bolton Wanderers F.C.: The Official History 1877–2002 |year=2002 |isbn=1-874427-54-2}}</ref>{{rp|91}} By the end of the [[1981–82 in English football|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 F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] on the final day.<ref name="125years" />{{rp|92}}

Despite a new-look, much younger team, and an 8–1 win over [[Walsall F.C.|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 2011 |title=Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse dies at 85 |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/9363142.stm |access-date=4 April 2013}}</ref> At the end of the [[1986–87 in English football|1986–87 season]], Bolton Wanderers suffered relegation to the Fourth Division for the first time in their history,<ref name="completerecord" />{{rp|38}} but won promotion back to the Third Division at the first attempt. The club won the [[EFL Trophy|Sherpa Van Trophy]] in [[1989 Football League Trophy final|1989]], defeating [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] 4–1. During the [[1990–91 in English football|1990–91]] season, Bolton were pipped to the final automatic promotion place by [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] and lost to [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] in the play-off final, but they failed to build on this and the following season saw the club finish 13th.<ref name="125years" />{{rp|100}}

The early 1990s saw Bolton gain a giant-killing reputation in cup competitions. In 1993, Bolton beat FA Cup holders [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 2–0 in a third round replay at [[Anfield]], thanks to goals from [[John McGinlay]] and [[Andy Walker (footballer born 1965)|Andy Walker]]. The club also defeated higher division opposition in the form of [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] (2–1) that year before bowing out to [[Derby County F.C.|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 F.C.|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 A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]. Bolton also defeated top division opposition in the form of [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] (3–2) and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] (1–0) that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=White Hot Years |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/sportingmemories/whitehotyears/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111155602/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/sportingmemories/whitehotyears/ |archive-date=11 November 2013 |access-date=4 March 2013 |publisher=The Bolton News}}</ref>

===Return to the top flight and venture into Europe (1995–2012)===
Bolton reached the Premiership in 1995, thanks to a 4–3 victory over [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] in the [[1995 Football League First Division play-off final|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 [[1995 Football League Cup final|League Cup final]], but were defeated 2–1 by Liverpool.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2012 |title=LFC in the League Cup final: 1995&nbsp;– McManaman masterclass wins praise from wing wizard Matthews |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/02/22/lfc-in-the-league-cup-final-1995-mcmanaman-masterclass-wins-praise-from-wing-wizard-matthews-100252-30379046/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223073711/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/02/22/lfc-in-the-league-cup-final-1995-mcmanaman-masterclass-wins-praise-from-wing-wizard-matthews-100252-30379046/ |archive-date=23 February 2012 |access-date=4 March 2013 |publisher=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> Bolton were bottom for virtually all of the [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]] Premiership campaign and were relegated as they lost their penultimate game 1–0 to [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]].<ref name="125years" />{{rp|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,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Statistics Archive |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1996-97.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328224621/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1996-97.html |archive-date=28 March 2010 |access-date=4 March 2013 |publisher=The Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2012 |title=RETRO MATCH: Wanderers 4 Charlton 1, 1996/97 |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/10111528.RETRO_MATCH__Wanderers_4_Charlton_1__1996_97/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044344/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/10111528.RETRO_MATCH__Wanderers_4_Charlton_1__1996_97/ |archive-date=8 August 2014 |access-date=4 March 2013 |publisher=The Bolton News}}</ref>

[[File:Jussi Jaaskelainen August 2011.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[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 in English football|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 seasion, would have kept them up.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iles |first1=Marc |title=Two decades after Gerry Taggart's 'goal that never was' - Bolton Wanderers finally get goal-line technology |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15397691.two-decades-after-gerry-taggarts-goal-that-never-was-bolton-wanderers-finally-get-goal-line-technology/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |work=The Bolton News |date=2017-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Statistics Archive |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1997-98.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074215/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1997-98.html |archive-date=8 August 2007 |access-date=4 March 2013 |publisher=The Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref> The following season, they reached the [[1999 Football League First Division play-off final|1999 Division One play-off final]] but lost 2–0 to [[Watford F.C.|Watford]].

In 2000, Bolton reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Worthington Cup and play-offs but lost on penalties to Aston Villa,<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2010 |title=April 2nd 2000&nbsp;– FA Cup semi-final Wembley Aston Villa 0 Bolton 0 Aston Villa won 4–1 on penalties |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/april-2nd-2000---fa-123004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325071623/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/april-2nd-2000---fa-123004 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |access-date=4 March 2013 |work=Birmingham Mail}}</ref> 4–0 [[two-legged tie|on aggregate]] to Tranmere Rovers<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2000 |title=Bolton suffer semi-final heartbreak |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/801711.stm |access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> and 7–5 on aggregate to [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2000 |title='We've only got ourselves to blame'&nbsp;– says Bergsson |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/archive/2000/05/18/Lancashire+Archive/6082228._We_ve_only_got_ourselves_to_blame____says_Bergsson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325082708/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/archive/2000/05/18/Lancashire+Archive/6082228._We_ve_only_got_ourselves_to_blame____says_Bergsson/ |archive-date=25 March 2014 |access-date=4 March 2013 |publisher=The Bolton News}}</ref> respectively. In [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01]] Bolton were promoted back to the Premiership after beating Preston North End 3–0 in the [[2001 Football League First Division play-off final|play-off final]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 May 2001 |title=Clockwatch: Bolton 3–0 Preston |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356039.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021224082904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356039.stm |archive-date=24 December 2002}}</ref>

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 City|Leicester]] 5–0 at [[Filbert Street]].<ref name="completerecord" />{{rp|94}} They followed that win with two more, over [[Middlesbrough F.C.|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 (football ground)|Old Trafford]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |date=22 October 2001 |title=Manchester United 1&nbsp;– 2 Bolton Wanderers |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/22/match.sport2 |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927194700/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/22/match.sport2 |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2011 |title=Bolton Wanderers results in Premier League 2001/02 &#124; Bolton Wanderers archive and stats |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?event=3;season=2001%2F02;team=249# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923045911/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?event=3;season=2001%2F02;team=249 |archive-date=23 September 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=ESPN.co.uk}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Leeds United]] at [[Elland Road]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2002 |title=Bolton Stun Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2430743.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040711053302/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2430743.stm |archive-date=11 July 2004}}</ref> Despite suffering from a lack of consistency, Bolton achieved the results needed and secured survival in a final day 2–1 victory over Middlesbrough.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2003 |title=Bolton seal survival |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2978087.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005143635/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2978087.stm |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref>

Bolton reached the League Cup final in 2004, but [[2004 Football League Cup final|lost]] 2–1 to Middlesbrough.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 February 2004 |title=Boro lift Carling Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3507795.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322002207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/3507795.stm |archive-date=22 March 2012}}</ref> 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 Europa League|UEFA Cup]] for the first time in their history.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 2005 |title=Premier League&nbsp;– Portsmouth 1–1 Bolton |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4501131.stm |access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> The following season, they reached the [[2005–06 UEFA Cup#Round of 32|last 32]] but were eliminated by French team [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] as they lost 2–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 February 2006 |title=Europe&nbsp;– Marseille 2–1 Bolton (agg: 2–1) |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4731542.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520030445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4731542.stm |archive-date=20 May 2006}}</ref> Between 2003–04 and 2006–07, Bolton recorded consecutive top-eight finishes, a record of consistency bettered only by the big four of [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.<ref name="completerecord" />{{rp|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-09 |title=Big Sam on Finance, farewells and what really happened with Eto'o and Rivaldo... |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15648570.sam-allardyce-on-finance-farewells-and-what-really-happened-with-samuel-etoo-and-rivaldo-at-bolton-wanderers/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=The Bolton News |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Johan Elmander.JPG|thumb|left|upright=0.8|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,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |date=11 May 2008 |title=Premier League&nbsp;– Chelsea 1–1 Bolton |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7381780.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514165035/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7381780.stm |archive-date=14 May 2008}}</ref> 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 [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=2007-11-08|title=Bayern Munich 2–2 Bolton|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7076603.stm|access-date=2021-04-23}}</ref> as well as becoming the first English team to beat [[Red Star Belgrade]] in Belgrade.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gaunt|first=Ken|date=7 December 2007|title=Uefa Cup: Crvena Zvezda 0-1 Bolton|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/07/match.boltonwanderers|access-date=23 April 2021|website=The Guardian}}</ref> They also defeated [[Atlético Madrid]] on aggregate<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2008 |title=UEFA Europa League 2007/08 – History&nbsp;– Atlético-Bolton&nbsp;– UEFA.com |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01ca-0e6f0be5578c-bf3927eb0197-1000--bolton-survive-atletico-siege/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602134229/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2008/matches/round=15120/match=301933/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-date=2 June 2013 |access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> before being knocked out by [[Sporting CP|Sporting Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanghera |first=Mandeep |date=13 March 2008 |title=Europe&nbsp;– S Lisbon 1–0 Bolton (agg: 2–1) |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7285151.stm |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318040149/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7285151.stm |archive-date=18 March 2008}}</ref>

Bolton broke their record transfer fee with the signing of [[Johan Elmander]] from [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] on 27 June 2008, in a deal which cost the club a reported £8.2&nbsp;million and saw Norwegian striker [[Daniel Braaten]] head in the opposite direction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 June 2008 |title=Bolton sign £10m-rated Elmander |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7478332.stm |url-status=live |access-date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826012524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/7478332.stm |archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 2011 |title=Bolton 0&nbsp;– 5 Stoke |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9457501.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422080512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9457501.stm |archive-date=22 April 2011}}</ref>

The [[2011–12 Premier League|following season]] began as the previous one had ended with just one win and six defeats, their worst start since the [[1902–03 in English football|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 F.C.|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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Jamie |date=10 October 2012 |title=Fabrice Muamba 'devastated' over Bolton sacking Owen Coyle |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/10/fabrice-muamba-bolton-owen-coyle |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911212804/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/10/fabrice-muamba-bolton-owen-coyle |archive-date=11 September 2014}}</ref> That 13 May, Bolton were relegated to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] by one point on the last day of the season after drawing 2–2 with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Paul |date=13 May 2012 |title=Bolton are relegated after Jon Walters secures draw for Stoke |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/13/stoke-city-bolton-wanderers-premier-league |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>

===Return to the Championship (2012–2018)===
The [[2012–13 Football League Championship|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 F.C.|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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dawkes |first=Phil |date=18 June 2013 |title=Football League reveals six fixtures early to mark 125th anniversary |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22894378 |url-status=live |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105175145/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22894378 |archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> 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&nbsp;million in debt, were handed a winding-up petition from [[HM Revenue and Customs]] over unpaid taxes, and a [[Transfer (association football)#Transfer bans|transfer embargo]] for the following month's window. Much of this debt owed to former owner [[Edwin Davies|Eddie Davies]] was confirmed to have been written off in March 2018, to assist with the club's potential sale prospects.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marc Iles |date=21 March 2018 |title=Former Bolton owner Eddie Davies wipes nearly £200m off books |publisher=The Bolton News |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/16101232.former-bolton-owner-eddie-davies-wipes-nearly-200m-off-books/}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 December 2015 |title=Neil Lennon: Bolton Wanderers have 'been through hell' |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35189399 |url-status=live |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228222739/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35189399 |archive-date=28 December 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 January 2016 |title=Bolton Wanderers: Club avoid immediate winding-up order |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35342982 |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118130623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35342982 |archive-date=18 January 2016}}</ref> The financial situation had improved as a takeover bid by [[Dean Holdsworth]]'s Sports Shield was successful in March 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2016 |title=Bolton Wanderers takeover completed by Sports Shield consortium |agency=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/10/bolton-wanderers-takeover-completed-sports-shield-consortium-dean-holdsworth |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Derby County]] to confirm their relegation to the [[EFL League One|third tier]] for the first time since 1993.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2016 |title=Bolton Wanderers relegated as Johnny Russell lifts Derby play-off hopes |work=The Observer |agency=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/09/bolton-wanderers-relegated-johnny-russell-derby |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>

Under new manager [[Phil Parkinson]], Bolton won promotion from League One at the first time of asking with a second-place finish.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sutcliffe |first=Steven |date=30 April 2017 |title=Bolton 3 Peterborough 0: Wanderers earn promotion back to Championship |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/30/bolton-3peterborough-0wanderers-earn-promotion-back-tochampionship/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/04/30/bolton-3peterborough-0wanderers-earn-promotion-back-tochampionship/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 February 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 14 September 2017, the board announced that the embargo was over.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-09-14 |title=Bolton Wanderers out of transfer embargo, says chairman Ken Anderson |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41273360 |url-status=live |access-date=2018-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623003251/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41273360 |archive-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in the last ten minutes of their final match of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=2018-05-06 |title=Bolton pull off miracle comeback to survive and relegate Burton on final day |work=mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bolton-burton-albion-championship-relegation-12490996 |url-status=live |access-date=2018-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143823/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bolton-burton-albion-championship-relegation-12490996 |archive-date=21 June 2018}}</ref>

===Relegation and financial crisis (2018–2019)===
Throughout the [[2018–19 EFL Championship|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 September 2018 |title=Bolton avoid administration and points loss after creditor agrees deal |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/12/bolton-wanderers-avoid-administration-points-loss}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marc Iles |date=8 October 2018 |title=Bolton Wanderers are served with winding-up petition from HMRC |publisher=The Bolton News |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16966882.bolton-wanderers-are-served-with-winding-up-petition-from-hmrc/}}</ref> After the collapse of the permanent signing of on-loan striker [[Christian Doidge]], [[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]] commenced legal action over lost earnings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forest Green confirm legal action against Wanderers |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17512109.forest-green-confirm-legal-action-against-bolton-wanderers/ |access-date=2019-04-17 |website=The Bolton News |date=19 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers: Club to appear in High Court over HMRC winding-up petition |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47306565 |access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolton Wanderers FC win stay of execution in winding-up fight |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-03/bolton-wanderers-fc-win-stay-of-execution-in-winding-up-fight/ |access-date=2019-04-17 |website=ITV News |date=3 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The match against [[Brentford F.C.|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;<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers v Brentford called off by EFL with wages still owed to Bolton players |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48067603/ |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> the EFL awarded the win to Brentford.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers' game against Brentford cancelled and Bees given three points |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48151016/ |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> The Bolton Whites Hotel, owned by Ken Anderson, was also issued with a winding-up petition in March 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolton Whites Hotel due in High Court to face winding up order |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17577491.bolton-whites-hotel-set-to-face-high-court/ |access-date=2019-04-17 |website=The Bolton News |date=16 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref> (it closed on 1 May and went into administration on 14 May).<ref name="Iles-15May2018">{{Cite news |last=Iles |first=Marc |date=15 May 2019 |title=Administrators appointed to Bolton Whites Hotel |work=Bolton News |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17641767.administrators-appointed-to-bolton-whites-hotel/ |access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref> The team was relegated to League One in April after a 23rd-place finish.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 April 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers 0–2 Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47904086 |access-date=19 April 2019}}</ref>

In May 2019, the club went into [[Administration (British football)|administration]] due to a £1.2m unpaid tax bill, incurring a 12-point penalty for the 2019–2020 season.<ref name="BBC-08May2019">{{Cite news |date=2019-05-08 |title=Bolton Wanderers given 14 days by High Court to appoint administrator |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48199290 |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref> Fildraw (former owner [[Edwin Davies|Eddie Davies]]' trust fund) appointed administrators from insolvency firm David Rubin and Partners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Challies |first=Josh |date=13 May 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers to start 2019–20 season with points deduction |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bolton-wanderers-start-2019-20-16269234 |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=Chronicle Live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GAME OVER: Oldham Athletic cancel Wanderers friendly |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17787015.game-oldham-athletic-cancel-bolton-wanderers-friendly/ |website=The Bolton News|date=22 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wanderers call-off Preston friendly because of player strike |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17784045.bolton-call-off-preston-friendly-player-strike/ |website=The Bolton News|date=20 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2019 |title=Bolton players refuse to play pre-season friendly against Chester |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11672/11765166/bolton-players-refuse-to-play-pre-season-friendly-against-chester-over-pay-dispute |access-date=18 July 2019 |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref>

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 F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] with only three contracted senior outfield players, and lost 2–0.<ref name="BBC-03Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=3 August 2019 |title=Wycombe Wanderers 2–0 Bolton Wanderers |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49135860 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> A week later, Bolton fielded its youngest ever side, with an average age of 19, in a goalless home draw against [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]].<ref name="Freeman-10Aug2019">{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Jay |date=10 August 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers 0–0 Coventry City |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49214406 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> Manager Phil Parkinson expressed concern about the welfare of the youth players used in all of Bolton's games,<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2019 |title=Bolton: Phil Parkinson contacts EFL over player welfare concerns |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49383856 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> leading Bolton to postpone the game against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] on 20 August<ref name="BBC-19Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=19 August 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers: Doncaster Rovers match postponed over welfare concerns |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49399958 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="BWFC-19Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=19 August 2019 |title=Statement on behalf of Paul Appleton, joint administrator for Bolton Wanderers |work=Bolton Wanderers FC |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/statement-on-behalf-of-paul-appleton-joint-administrator-for-bolton-wanderers3/ |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> but without informing either Doncaster or the EFL.<ref name="BBC-19Aug2019" />
Parkinson and assistant Steve Parkin resigned the following day, with academy manager Jimmy Phillips taking interim charge.<ref name="BBC-21Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=21 August 2019 |title=Phil Parkinson: Bolton Wanderers manager resigns from League One club |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49428721 |access-date=21 August 2019}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2019 |title=Statement on behalf of Paul Appleton, Joint Administrator For Bolton Wanderers |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/statement-on-behalf-of-paul-appleton-joint-administrator-for-bolton-wanderers4/ |access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="BBC-26Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=26 August 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers' future under renewed threat after takeover deal collapses |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49470865 |access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name="EFL27Aug19">{{Cite news |date=27 August 2019 |title=Statement: Bolton Wanderers |publisher=EFL |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/august/bolton-wanderers-suspension-on-notice-of-withdrawal-lifted/}}</ref>

===Under new ownership (2019–)===
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."<ref name="BWFC-28Aug2019">{{Cite web |title=David Rubin & Partners, Administrators For Bolton Wanderers |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/statement-on-behalf-of-david-rubin--partners-administrators-for-bolton-wanderers3/ |access-date=28 August 2019 |website=Bolton Wanderers FC |publisher=BWFC}}</ref><ref name="BBC-28Aug2019" /> Days later, [[Keith Hill (footballer)|Keith Hill]] was announced as the new club manager.<ref name="BBC-31Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=31 August 2019 |title=Keith Hill: Bolton Wanderers appoint ex-Rochdale boss as manager |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49538882 |access-date=31 August 2019}}</ref> He signed nine players before the transfer deadline closed,<ref name="BBC-02Sep2019">{{Cite news |date=2 September 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers sign Bridcutt, Verlinden, O'Grady, Crawford, Buckley, Emmanuel, Wright, Murphy, Bunney |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49553884 |access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref> and his first win came on 22 October, 2–0 against [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]], Bolton's first win in 22 matches.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50051040 Bristol Rovers 0–2 Bolton Wanderers]. BBC Sport. Retrieved: 22 November 2019</ref>

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).<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50420657 Bolton Wanderers given suspended five-point deduction for failing to fulfil fixtures]. BBC Sport. Retrieved: 22 November 2019</ref> The points would not be deducted if Bolton fulfilled all fixtures during the 18-month period.<ref>[https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/november/club-statement2/ Club Statement]. Bolton Wanderers. Retrieved: 22 November 2019.</ref> An EFL appeal against what it saw as a "lenient" penalty<ref name="BBC-22Nov2019">{{Cite news |date=22 November 2019 |title=Bolton Wanderers: English Football League to appeal against 'lenient' punishment |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50516578 |access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref> was rejected by an arbitration panel in January 2020.<ref name="BBC-07Jan2020">{{Cite news |date=7 January 2020 |title=Bolton Wanderers: Suspended five-point deduction upheld by panel |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51020339 |access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref> On 9 June 2020, the [[EFL League One]] decided to end the [[2019–20 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season|2019–20 season]] early due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], causing bottom club Bolton Wanderers to go down to the [[EFL League Two|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.<ref name="BBC-12Jun2020">{{Cite news |date=12 June 2020 |title=Keith Hill: Bolton Wanderers boss to leave after relegation from League One |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53028815 |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref> [[Barrow A.F.C.|Barrow]] manager [[Ian Evatt]] was appointed Hill's successor on 1 July 2020.<ref name="BBC-01Jul2020">{{Cite news |date=1 July 2020 |title=Ian Evatt: Bolton Wanderers name Barrow manager as new head coach |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53255318 |access-date=1 July 2020}}</ref> Despite being in 17th place after 24 matches, Bolton orchestrated an impressive season turnaround under Evatt. They completed the [[2020–21 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season|2020–21 League Two season]] in third place after a 4–1 win against [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]] on the final day – enough to secure automatic promotion to League One<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56953454 BBC Sport: Bolton promoted after win at Crawley]</ref> – and early in the 2021–22 season settled debts with unsecured creditors to remove the threat of a 15-point deduction.<ref name="BBC-03Sep2021">{{cite news |title=Bolton Wanderers owners agree settlements with unsecured creditors |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58435480 |access-date=3 September 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 September 2021}}</ref>

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]].<ref name="Shares"/>

On 2 April 2023, Bolton won the [[2023 EFL Trophy final]] 4–0 against [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]].<ref name=EFLT23>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65088981|title=Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle|publisher=BBC Sport }}</ref> 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 F.C.|Oxford United]]. However, Bolton struggled in the [[2024–25 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season|2024–25 season]] and Evatt left the club in January 2025,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolton part company with boss Evatt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cly4gqj81ggo |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2025}}</ref> being replaced by [[Steven Schumacher]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolton appoint ex-Argyle and Stoke boss Schumacher |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgkje14dk61o |access-date=30 January 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2025}}</ref>

==Colours and badge==
{{Commons|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".<ref name="colours">{{Cite web |title=Bolton Wanderers&nbsp;– The Beautiful History |date=12 September 2010 |url=http://thebeautifulhistory.wordpress.com/clubs/bolton-wanderers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330165554/http://thebeautifulhistory.wordpress.com/clubs/bolton-wanderers/ |archive-date=30 March 2013 |access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolton Wanderers&nbsp;– Historical Football Kits |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Bolton_Wanderers/Bolton_Wanderers.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327045922/http://historicalkits.co.uk/Bolton_Wanderers/Bolton_Wanderers.htm |archive-date=27 March 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=Historicalkits.co.uk}}</ref>

The Bolton Wanderers club badge consists of the initials of the club in the shape of a ball, with a red scroll and [[Red Rose of Lancaster|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.<ref name="colours" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2010 |title=Origins of Nicknames for 20 Premier League Clubs &#124; EPL Talk&nbsp;– Independent voice for EPL soccer fans since 2005 |url=http://epltalk.com/2010/11/15/origins-of-nicknames-for-20-premier-league-clubs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402215117/http://epltalk.com/2010/11/15/origins-of-nicknames-for-20-premier-league-clubs/ |archive-date=2 April 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=Epltalk.com}}</ref>

==Grounds==
{{Main|Pike's Lane|Burnden Park|Toughsheet Community Stadium}}
[[File:Reebok Stadium before Bolton vs Arsenal, 2011-03-24.jpg|thumb|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.<ref name="completerecord" />{{rp|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burnden Park |url=http://www.stadiumguide.com/burndenpark/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402222644/http://www.stadiumguide.com/burndenpark/ |archive-date=2 April 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=The Stadium Guide}}</ref>

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<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kelly |first=Graham |url=https://archive.org/details/terraceheroeslif00kell |title=Terrace Heroes: The Life and Times of the 1930s Professional Footballer |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=0-7146-8294-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/terraceheroeslif00kell/page/n68 56] |url-access=limited}}</ref> 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 [[United Co-operatives#Normid|Normid]] superstore.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Seddon |first=Ian |title=Ah'm Tellin' Thee&nbsp;– a Biography of Tommy Banks, Bolton Wanderers and England |date=August 2012 |publisher=Paragon Publishing |isbn=978-1-908341-93-8 |page=213}}</ref> 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.<ref name="completerecord" />{{rp|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.<ref name="completerecord" />{{rp|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,<ref>{{Cite web |title=[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Design process&nbsp;– Reebok Stadium – Case studies – CABE |url=http://www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/reebok-stadium/design |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http://www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/reebok-stadium/design |archive-date=18 January 2011 |access-date=4 March 2013}}</ref> 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 (commercial)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antrobus |first=Sam |date=17 December 2012 |title=Should football fans really be so fearful of such deals? |url=http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/should-football-fans-really-be-so-fearful-of-such-deals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524081930/http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/should-football-fans-really-be-so-fearful-of-such-deals |archive-date=24 May 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=FootballFanCast.com}}</ref> In April 2014, the stadium was renamed as part of a four-year deal with new sponsors [[Macron (sportswear)|Macron]] sportswear.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2014 |title=BWFC strike stadium and kit deal with Macron |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-macron-announcement-24.4.14-1507087.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424131542/http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-macron-announcement-24.4.14-1507087.aspx |archive-date=24 April 2014 |access-date=24 April 2014 |publisher=bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> When this deal came to an end in August 2018 the stadium was again renamed, this time as the University of Bolton Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2018 |title=Welcome to the University of Bolton Stadium |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/welcome-to-the-university-of-bolton-stadium/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124755/https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/welcome-to-the-university-of-bolton-stadium/ |archive-date=1 August 2018 |access-date=1 August 2018 |publisher=bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Toughsheet Community Stadium |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/the-toughsheet-community-stadium/ |access-date=19 February 2023 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers FC |date=19 February 2023}}</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.bwfreeschool.org.uk/l]{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> However, this was later closed in 2017 due to low pupil numbers which deemed it 'not financially viable'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2017 |title=Bolton Wanderers Free School 'not financially viable' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39191242 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026102802/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39191242 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |access-date=7 May 2018 |publisher=bwfc.co.uk}}</ref>

==Rivalries and supporters==
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.<ref name="BWSA">{{Cite web |title=About BWSA – Bolton Wanderers Supporters' Association |url=http://www.mybwsa.co.uk/?page_id=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728182605/http://www.mybwsa.co.uk/?page_id=2 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |access-date=2 April 2013 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association}}</ref>

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.<ref name=BWSA />

Historically Bolton's traditional rivals were near neighbours [[Bury F.C.|Bury]], though due to limited league meetings and Bury's expulsion from the [[Football League]] in August 2019 the rivalry has lessened considerably. The club also has traditional rivalries with fellow Lancashire clubs [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], as all three sides are separated by less than 20 miles and are all founder members of [[the Football League]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barclay |first=Patrick |date=24 March 2001 |title=More than a storm in a tea urn |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3001608/More-than-a-storm-in-a-tea-urn.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509195549/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3001608/More-than-a-storm-in-a-tea-urn.html |archive-date=9 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Conn |first=David |date=15 April 2011 |title=FA Cup Wembley semi-finals criticised as fans head south |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/15/fa-cup-semifinals-wembley-criticism |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110202420/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/apr/15/fa-cup-semifinals-wembley-criticism |archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref> More recently, Bolton have developed an enmity with [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], whose fans generally regard Bolton as their main rivals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Paul |date=12 May 2011 |title=Blackpool need a real rival to supplant Preston&nbsp;– how about Wigan? |work=[[The Guardian]]|type=blog |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/may/12/blackpool-rivalry-preston-wigan |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328054327/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/may/12/blackpool-rivalry-preston-wigan |archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> Wigan eventually became known as Bolton biggest rivals,<ref>[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19653634.bolton-wanderers-players-issued-challenge-trip-league-leaders-plymouth/ The Bolton News, Bolton Wanderers players issued challenge for trip to league leaders Plymouth, "We have suffered a really heavy defeat and a bad result against our biggest rivals"]</ref> and crowd trouble marred the 16 October 2021 meeting between the two clubs.<ref name="BBC-16Oct2021">{{cite news |title=Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Wigan Athletic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58853258 |access-date=18 October 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2021}}</ref> A study in 2021 found that the Bolton/Wigan rivalry was the most competitive in all of English Football history, with both teams having an identical record against each other at the time.<ref>[https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/most-competitive-english-derby-iswigan-athletic-boltonofficial-3148267 Wigan Today: "Most competitive English derby is...Wigan Athletic-Bolton...official!"]</ref>

According to a survey conducted in August 2019 entitled 'The League of Love and Hate', Bolton supporters named [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[Wigan Athletic A.F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] and [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] as their biggest rivals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 August 2019 |title=The top five rivals of English football's top 92 clubs have been revealed |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1500300-the-top-five-rivals-of-english-footballs-top-92-clubs-revealed}}</ref>

==Ownership and finances==
The holding company of Bolton Wanderers F.C. is Burnden Leisure Ltd, a [[private company limited by shares]]. Burnden Leisure was previously a [[public limited company|public company]] traded on the [[Alternative Investment Market|AIM]] [[stock exchange]] until its voluntary delisting in May 2003 following [[Edwin Davies|Eddie Davies]]'s takeover.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIM Market Statistics May 2003 |url=http://www.londonstockexchange.com/statistics/historic/aim/may-2003.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325053529/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/statistics/historic/aim/may-2003.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2014 |publisher=[[London Stock Exchange]]}}</ref> The club itself is 100% owned by Burnden Leisure;<ref name="finances">{{Cite web |title=Burnden Leisure plc Report and Accounts 2012 |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/documents/burnden-leisure-ar-2012-web-ready201-470561.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202212816/http://www.bwfc.co.uk/documents/burnden-leisure-ar-2012-web-ready201-470561.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2012 |access-date=30 March 2013 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C.}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2003 |title=Davies takes over Bolton |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/3302829.stm |access-date=30 March 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sky">{{Cite web |title=Financial problems at Bolton Wanderers examined |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11672/11610996/what-is-going-on-at-bolton-wanderers |access-date=2019-04-17 |publisher=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref> Under Anderson, financial difficulties dogged the club, with player strikes, further winding up orders and financial disputes with other creditors.<ref name=Sky/> These culminated in the club (Burnden Leisure Ltd) going into administration in May 2019,<ref name=BBC-08May2019/> and, with the club's future ownership unresolved, being threatened with expulsion from the EFL in August 2019.<ref name="BBC-24Aug2019">{{Cite news |date=24 August 2019 |title=Bolton could face league expulsion after being given Tuesday deadline by EFL |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49462871 |access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> On 28 August, the club was sold to Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd despite opposition from Ken Anderson.<ref name="BWFC-28Aug2019" /><ref name="BBC-28Aug2019" />

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]].<ref name=Shares>{{Cite news |title= Taxpayers left with stake in Bolton Wanderers after £5m pandemic loan turned into shares |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/01/26/taxpayers-left-stake-bolton-wanderers-5m-pandemic-loan-turned/|access-date=27 January 2022 |website=The Telegraph|date= 26 January 2022|last1= Lynch|first1= Russell}}</ref>

===Sponsorship===
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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trotters waiting on answers from Jaaskelainen and Knight |date=22 May 2012 |title=Bolton duo offered new deals |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11672/7770392/Bolton-duo-offered-new-deals |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019161854/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11672/7770392/Bolton-duo-offered-new-deals |archive-date=19 October 2012}}</ref> The stadium's naming rights were held by Reebok from its opening in 1997 until 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2007 |title=Reebok Renews Naming Rights Deal at Bolton |url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/162085/reebok-renews-naming-rights-deal-at-bolton |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820143406/http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/162085/reebok-renews-naming-rights-deal-at-bolton |archive-date=20 August 2012 |access-date=2 April 2013 |publisher=Sportbusiness.com}}</ref>

Bolton's kit manufacturer from the 2014–15 season changed to Italian sportswear brand [[Macron (sportswear)|Macron]], who also became stadium name sponsors for four years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 April 2014 |title=Bolton's ground to be renamed the Macron Stadium from July |work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/24/bolton-wanderers-macron-renaming-july |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> In August 2018, the stadium naming rights went to the [[University of Bolton]] in an undisclosed deal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhari |first=Saiqa |date=1 August 2018 |title=MACRON REBRAND: Home of Bolton Wanderers to be renamed |work=The Bolton News |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16390240.macron-rebrand-home-of-bolton-wanderers-to-be-renamed/ |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> From 1 July 2023 it became known as the Toughsheet Community Stadium.<ref name=Toughsheet>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/the-toughsheet-community-stadium/|title=The Toughsheet Community Stadium|date=19 February 2023|work=Bolton Wanderers F.C.|access-date=2023-02-19|language=en-gb}}</ref>

==Players==
===Current squad===
{{updated|30 June 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/squad/68 |title=First Team |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>

{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=4 |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[George Thomason (footballer)|George Thomason]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=6 |nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[George Johnston (footballer, born 1998)|George Johnston]]}}
{{fs player|no=7 |nat=GNB|pos=FW|name=[[Carlos Mendes Gomes]]}}
{{Fs player|no=8 |nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=[[Josh Sheehan]]}}
{{fs player|no=9 |nat=NGA|pos=FW|name=[[Victor Adeboyejo]]}}
{{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Sam Dalby]]}}
{{fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Dan Nlundulu]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Josh Dacres-Cogley]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Jordi Osei-Tutu]]}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Will Forrester]]}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Aaron Morley]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=GRE|pos=MF|name=[[Klaidi Lolos]]}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=NIR|pos=DF|name=[[Eoin Toal]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=NIR|pos=GK|name=[[Luke Southwood]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=LCA|pos=DF|name=[[Chris Forino-Joseph]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Kyle Dempsey]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=HUN|pos=MF|name=[[Szabolcs Schön]]}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Joel Randall]]}}
{{Fs player|no=34|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Max Conway]]}}
{{Fs player|no=40|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Luke Hutchinson]]}}
{{fs player|no=45|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[John McAtee]]}}
{{Fs player|no=48|nat=EGY|pos=MF|name=[[Sonny Sharples-Ahmed]]}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Teddy Sharman-Lowe]]}} (on loan from [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]])
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Xavier Simons]]}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Richard Taylor (footballer, born 2000)|Richard Taylor]]}}
{{Fs end}}

===Bolton B squad===
{{Main|Bolton Wanderers F.C. Reserves and Academy}}

{{updated|30 June 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/squad/4 |title=B Team |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |access-date=1 August 2024}}</ref>
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Jack Dallimore}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jamie Grayson}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Sean Hogan}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=NIR|pos=DF|name=Sam Inwood}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Emile Oliver}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Oliver Smith}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ajay Weston}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Harley Irwin}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Harry Leigh}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Conor Lewis}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Harrison Rice}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Andrew Tutte]]|other=[[Player-coach]]}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=David Abimbola}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=Mark Isong}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Daeshon Lawrence}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Charlie Warren}}
{{Fs end}}

===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=  |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Dubem Eze|other=on loan at [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] until 31 May 2026}}
{{Fs end}}

==Club officials==

'''Bolton Wanderers Football & Athletic Co management'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Team |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/staff/First%20Team |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |date=29 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=B Team |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/staff/B%20Team |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |date=29 July 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 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 (footballer, born 1986)|Mark Hughes]]
|-
|Goalkeeping Coach|| [[Owain Fôn Williams]]
|-
|B Team Head Coach|| [[Andy Taylor (footballer, born 1986)|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 (footballer, born 1980)|Matt Barrass]]
|-
|First Team Physiotherapist|| [[Steve Blakeley]] 
|-
|Academy Physiotherapists|| Dave Newbold<br>Matt Pearce
|-
|Head of Sport Science|| Paul Walsh
|-
|First Team Strength & Conditioning Coaches|| Jack Inman<br>Matt Pelham
|-
|Sports Therapist|| Matt Donnelly
|-
|Head Kitman|| Craig Rowson
|-
|Assistant Kitman|| [[Brett Ormerod]]
|-
|First Team Analyst|| Harry Taylor
|-
|Academy Analyst|| Matt Stephens
|-
|}

==Honours==
{{Further|List of Bolton Wanderers F.C. records and statistics#Honours and achievements}}

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

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{BBC football info|BBClinkname=bolton-wanderers}}

{{Bolton Wanderers F.C.}}
{{Bolton Wanderers F.C. seasons}}
{{Premier League}}
{{EFL Championship}}
{{EFL League One}}
{{EFL League Two}}
{{Original Football League clubs}}
{{Football in Greater Manchester}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C.| ]]
[[Category:1874 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1874]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:EFL Trophy winners]]
[[Category:FA Cup winners]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Bolton]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:The Football League founder members]]