Bolton was one of six Lancashire clubs in the original 12 of the Football League, and since then they have set a record they might not be proud of: most years in the top flight–73–without ever winning it. They had great success in the FA Cup in the 1920s, winning it three times, including the famous White Horse Final of 1923. The original Wembley…

Traditionally their rival was Bury, but in 2020 Bury went out of business. Bolton dislike Preston and Blackburn in particular, so if you see either of those names, as well as Wigan or Burnley, on the schedule, it should be a feisty affair.  This year they will face off with Wigan in League One but, it will have to be a Cup draw for any of the…

The club has no women’s team, and their former outfit, Bolton Ladies FC, has become a youth-only

The teams come out to the Dion song “The Wanderer.” There is also “The Manny Road,” to the tune of “The Blaydon Races,” the anthem up at Newcastle. This one is about people running away from the Burnden Aces. (Burnden is their former home

University of Bolton Stadium was built in 1997 to replace Burnden Park. It’s spectacular from the outside, like a giant, glowing circus tent or something. Inside, it’s two levels all around, for a total capacity of 28,723, and it’s actually very nice. It would probably be rocking if Wanderers ever get it together. Away fans will be in the South…

GETTING THERE: Couldn’t be easier: get on a Preston-bound train at Manchester Piccadilly, get off about 40 minutes later at Horwich Parkway, and there you are! PUBS: There is a Harvesters chain pub called The Horwich Park right between the station and stadium; it will certainly be mobbed. A few minutes to the right of the stadium on Lostock Lane…