Bolton Wanderers: The league one tour continues

The game of Football is an emotional rollercoaster, that's a given. But its ability to come full circle and deliver passages of play and moments which bewilder even the biggest of Football fanatics was evident for all to see on Saturday 18th May.

Since 1987, a play-off system has been implemented at the conclusion of every season in some capacity; delivering several iconic moments.

The 2001 Division one final victory is etched firmly into the memories of pre millennium born Wanderers fans who were fortunate enough to witness the catalyst to the most successful period for the club post-war.

23 years later and Wanderers fans headed this time to the capital hoping the current flock of players donning the towns elephant and castle could bring modern day success back to the "Reebok".

Generation Z fans of the club have had a turbulent time following the Trotters with Administration, Promotion's, relegation's and a Papa Johns Trophy to show for their unwavering passion and support.

Saturday 18th May gave them an opportunity to travel again, arm-in-arm, to the capital with their millennial and earlier counterparts hoping to return with League one promotion.

Bolton finished the 2000/01 nine points clear of Preston and ran out convincing winners on the day. Fast forward to the beginning of May and Wanderers finished the 2023/24 season ten points better-off than the U's.

History to repeat itself? Well football has a funny old way of coming full circle.

Under the Sky cameras, on a cold tuesday night in March. The whites ran out 5-0 victors against the U's in a match that wouldn't have looked out of place at Euxton farm.

Promotion fever was at an all time high post match. January signing Aaron Collins was starting to hit form whilst the timely returns of key players Nathan Baxter and Dion Charles saw light at the end of the tunnel for Ian Evatt.

With Promotion now in their own hands, Pride Park proved a bump as Kane Wilson sent 30,000 Rams delirious as automatic promotion yo-yo'd between the two clubs with the climax of the season growing nearer.

A valiant draw against the league leaders wasn't enough to keep the Whites in pole position, and a underwhelming 2-2 draw against Salop condemning the Trotters to another playoff lottery.

It was starting to feel like now or never for Ian Evatt and his squad, with failed promotion almost certainly cumulating in the dismantling of a squad which has promised so much yet not reached its full potential.

With Barnsley the opposition, again. 2,000 Wanderers made the trip to South Yorkshire. With Baxter at the back and Aaron Collins in attack. The fans were most definitely fired up and now could the players follow suit.

A Charles brace mixed with a Randell Williams corner saw Bolton 3-1 up at the halfway point.

More importantly for some, critics were answered. A team labelled a soft touch by many had shown up when it mattered and had the Whites one foot onto Wembley way.

The return leg followed with Barnsley winning 3-2 on the day. However, Bolton were returning to Wembley for the second consecutive year. This time as Play-off finalists.

JUBILATION: Post match scenes after second leg (Credit: Ernie Bratherton)

The Opponents Oxford United, managed by local lad Des Buckingham, had overcome many adversities to get to Wembley in itself.

Competing on a much smaller budget than many teams in the league. The U's found themselves at the summit of the table 15 games in. The loss of manager Liam Manning followed and the subsequent arrival of Buckingham saw an downtur in form seeing them spiral out of the play-off's.

The 5-0 drubbing from the Whites was credited by Buckingham himself as revealing many home truth's and saw the Yellows return to promotion form, climbing to 5th in the table as the final day played out.

After defeating the Posh in the play-offs, it was time for redemption and what better place to do it than at Wembley.

The full circle moment came at 4.45pm on Saturday 18th May as a Josh Murphy double saw the U's promoted back to the second tier of English football and succumbed Bolton to the third tier for the fourth year in a row.

ATMOSPHERIC: Renditions of Waterfall pre game (Credit: Ernie Bratherton)

Ecstasy for Oxford, heartache for Bolton but the full circle was complete.

Oxford oustanding, Bolton underwhelming. The superlatives could continue all day but the point remains the same.

One team turned up, and the other didn't.

The inquest was opened immediately, but as the dust settled and the emotion started to turn to rational. Bolton fans are left with the same answers. Where was the performance?

Losses can be accepted if the performance was there for all to see. But when it was so non-existant then questions are going to be asked?

Ian Evatt, has worked wonders for this football club and most fans would love to see nothing more than him stay with us through the leagues.

However, in such a cut-throat business such as Football success is never guaranteed and decisions have to be made in order to keep steady progression.

Up until now progression has been clear to see year-on-year and with the squad he's assembled over the past few years; anything over than promotion next year would see serious questions posed at the non-playing staff.

The football can be breathtaking at times, however the tempo it is played at has to be high otherwise it could spell serious trouble this year in a league full of predicted direct and efficient teams.

Nonetheless, with a few shrewd signings and a touch up on the playbook. The Whites could right the Wembley wrongs and gain promotion back to the second division.