20 Questions: Bolton Wanderers

A chat with Bolton fan and author Chris Evans

Sep 09, 2024

Monday 9 September 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Bolton supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

County weren’t in action at the weekend so we’re starting the week with another of our ‘20 Questions’ features instead. It’s a good one, as we’re joined by Chris Evans, a season ticket holder at Bolton for 30 years who’s recently published his first book after years of writing for The Bolton News.

Today’s edition is sponsored by S F Plumbing & Heating. A big thank you to Shaun. Give him a call on 07555 724810 or email shaunflanagan1993@gmail.com if you’re in need of any plumbing or heating services.

Thanks also to Luke and Hannah at LBL Roofing & Building Ltd who sponsor our Bolton Wanderers content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,001

Total completed streets so far: 399 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Bolton currently play in League One, which is the third tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

Bloody difficult. Plenty of big clubs have taken a long time to get out of League One. Away allocations are often on the small side due to smaller stadiums. With a good manager and a few good signings, any club has a realistic chance of a good season. This year it is really open. Other than Birmingham who seem to be buying promotion, any one of ten teams could go up.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Horwich.

Lots of fans tend to arrive early to get a spot with easier exit from the car parks. The fanzone is a great addition, with big screen football, live music and (sometimes) decent ale. Others head to the hotel, Hollywood Bowl or the Harvester for a pre-match drink. Not much option for away fans. The atmosphere hasn't been great despite us regularly getting crowds over 20,000. Many people leave early, regardless of the score as this can be their difference between 10 minutes and one hour to get off the car park.

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

Historically all of the Lancashire clubs and Wolves but in recent years probably Wigan due to playing them often (with limited success).

What’s your best memory following Bolton?

The Bruce Rioch era. Promotions, trips to Wembley and massive cup upsets. It was the start of a 20-year period of success succeeded by Colin Todd and then Sam Allardyce. You can read all about it my recent book Total Belief: How Bruce Rioch Brought the Good Times Back to Bolton Wanderers.

What’s your worst memory following Bolton?

There have been a fair few. Getting thumped 6-0 at home to Man United, watching Dean Holdsworth miss an open goal with the FA Cup final a whisker away, but l would have to pick the 1-1 draw at Stoke on the same day that Aguero won the league for Man City. It sent us down and the club has never really recovered.

If Bolton Wanderers was a TV show, which one would it be?

The last few years feel very much like Quantum Leap. Each season (episode) starts with real optimism, but by the end, it ends in disappointment, the personnel change and we go through it all again.

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

To most fans it will always be the Reebok Stadium but after numerous name changes it is now the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Despite being almost 30 years old, it still has a modern feel (although it could use a lick of paint). Unlike many new builds, it does have character and doesn't feel like a soulless bowl.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

We actually had a rivalry with them in the early 90s when Kevin Francis was banging in the goals for the Hatters. More recently, County beat us in the FA Cup and signed our former captain who had a lot to say about it. They may well end up being our new 'Wigan'. Perceived as a smaller local club but end up being hard to beat.

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

Only once, many many years ago. Well, I'm assuming that Volts nightclub was in the town centre. Can't remember much I'm afraid!

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Bolton have had?

White shirts, dark blue shorts, white socks. The home and away kits from the early 90s are the most iconic and still worn by many fans today. I gave mine away years ago before the recent revival of old kits which would have valued them much higher than the original purchase price.

If Bolton were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

Vernon Kay seems to show up for the big games. Amir Khan also used to until he started getting freebies from Anfield and Old Trafford.

What’s the most interesting fact about Bolton Wanderers we might not know?

They won the first ever Wembley FA Cup final (the famous “White Horse Final”).

Who’s your all time Bolton hero?

Still a club ambassador. Super John McGinlay.

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Bolton’s fanbase?

After years of decline, the new owners have galvanised the fanbase with decent prices so we’re regularly getting 20,000 fans. Big games can reach 25,000+. The fanbase is passionate but there is often infighting with very polarised views.

What’s your manager like?

Far too stubborn. After early success, the club seems to have stagnated as he refuses to alter his tactics. He seems to have been found out and our form in this calendar year is very shaky.

What’s your chairman like?

Brilliant. She has put money into the club and really turned things around. Her only fault is her blind loyalty to the manager. Could all turn toxic if things don't improve.

What’s it like for a night out in Bolton?

Not been for years. It has a reputation of being a bit rough. Like many towns, lots of places have closed down.

What’s the best thing about being a Bolton fan?

Following a club with a great history, wonderful stadium, decent fanbase and seasons are very rarely boring. We go up and down more than a yo-yo.

What’s the worst thing about being a Bolton fan?

Being surrounded by clubs who have success. The two Manchester clubs are under 15 miles away, Blackburn won the Premier League 30 years ago, Burnley seem to be a fixture in the top flight. Even Wigan managed an FA Cup win in fairly recent memory.

What are your hopes for this season?

Has to be promotion, but if that’s going to be a bridge too far, a new manager who plays exciting football.

Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

S F Plumbing & Heating

With 10 years of experience, Shaun is a reliable plumber who can also attend emergency appointments where possible.

As we head into autumn, you might be looking to replace your radiators, or simply have them fixed if they’re not getting warm.

Call 07555 724810 or email shaunflanagan1993@gmail.com for a quote.

LBL Roofing & Building

Any Bolton fans (or indeed, any County fans living in that neck of the woods) joining us today? If you need any roofing work doing at home, LBL Roofing & Building are dedicated to providing top-notch services with an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

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Visit lblroofingandbuilding.co.uk for further details.

Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

A flashback to that wonderful summer of 2019. County had won the National League North title, before the partying continued as Blossoms took to the stage at Edgeley Park.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Wilding (PG) at 6pm, followed by Blink Twice (15) at 8.30pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as Bask (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Armoury (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

🎶 Free jukebox

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#3 – Ken Charlery, Peterborough

Even to this day, I still find it strange that Ken Charlery played for County (as a late substitute) on the night we clinched promotion to the First Division at Chesterfield in 1997. Five years earlier, he’d stopped Danny Bergara’s men from reaching the second tier with one of the most heartbreaking goals County have ever conceded, in the 89th minute of the play-off final at Wembley.