Bolton Wanderers

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OVERVIEW
Bolton Wanderers have established themselves as a respected Premier League club since rejoining the top flight in 2001. The Trotters made their Premier League bow in 1995 but were relegated after just one season when they finished bottom.

They returned to football's elite a year later after winning the Division One title, but went down again - this time on goal difference. Sam Allardyce guided Bolton back up in 2001 and the club has gone from strength to strength.

Bolton qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history in 2005 after finishing sixth. After an eighth-place finish the year after, they came seventh in the 2006/07 season to make the UEFA Cup again.

But Allardyce left the club for Newcastle United at the end of that season and was replaced by his assistant Sammy Lee. A poor start to the 2007/08 season saw Lee relieved of his duties and Gary Megson took over. Megson narrowly steered his side clear of relegation then consolidated their top flight position in 2008/09.

CLUB HERITAGE
The club was founded as Christ Church FC in 1874, but changed its name to Bolton Wanderers three years later. They were one of 12 founder members of the Football League which was formed in 1888. Bolton finished FA Cup runners-up in 1894 and were losing finalists again 10 years later, before making it third time lucky with victory over West Ham United in the 1923 final. More FA Cup success arrived in 1926 when they beat Manchester City and again in 1929 with a triumph over Portsmouth.

There was another FA Cup Final appearance in 1953, but Bolton suffered a 4-3 defeat at the hands of a Stanley Matthews-inspired Blackpool. Five years later, they made up for the disappointment by winning the FA Cup for the fourth time with victory over Manchester United.

Bolton had a 29-year spell from 1935 in the top flight and eventually slipped into the league's lowest tier in 1987. They eventually clawed their way back to the top flight in 1995. And as a Division One team, made an heroic run to the League Cup Final but lost out to Liverpool. 

They suffered the same fate again - losing to Middlesbrough in the 2004 League Cup Final - although a club-best finish of eighth in the Barclaycard Premierhip softened the blow.

PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY
1994/95 - Reach FA Carling Premiership. Lost League Cup Final
1995/96 - Roy McFarland and Colin Todd named co-managers replacing Bruce Rioch. Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1996/97 - Division One winners
1997/98 - Bolton leave Burnden Park for new Reebok Stadium. Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1999/00 - Sam Allardyce becomes manager
2000/01 - Promoted to Barclaycard Premiership via play-offs
2003/04 - League Cup Finalists
2006/07 - Nicolas Anelka becomes record signing for £8m
2006/07 - Sammy Lee takes over as manager after Allardyce leaves to take Newcastle United job
2007/08 - Sammy Lee leaves the manager's post by mutual consent. Gary Megson appointed manager
2009/10 - Megson sacked in December. Owen Coyle leaves Burnely to take charge of Bolton in January 2010. Leads the relegation threatened club to safety and a 14th placed finish


Manager Owen Coyle
 

Coyle, who played for Bolton for over two years in the mid 1990s, returned to the club after leading Burnley to an impressive start to the Barclays Premier League season.

The manager guided Burnley to the top flight in May 2009 after a play-off victory over Sheffield United and left the Clarets midway through the season in a healthy position in the league table.

Coyle got his first taste of management as co-player-manager at Falkirk alongside John Hughes in 2003.

He left the club for a similar role at Dundee United a year later but only made three appearances so moved to Airdrie United for more first-team action.

Coyle joined First Division club St Johnstone in April 2005 to become their new manager. He enjoyed an excellent full first season by leading the Saints to the 2007 Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup semi-finals which included a memorable victory over Glasgow Rangers.

The Saints were denied promotion to the Scottish Premier League on the final day of the season after Gretna netted a last minute goal at Ross County to go up.

FLYING START
Coyle guided St Johnstone to the Scottish Challenge Cup final but decided to leave for Burnley a week before the showpiece, which the Saints won with assistant Sandy Stewart in charge.

Burnley ended the 2007/08 campaign in 13th place as Coyle started to make his mark on the Clarets squad. The former Republic of Ireland international got off to a flyer in his second term as boss, winning September's Manager of the Month award after picking up five wins and a draw.

Victories over Barclays Premier League sides Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal in the quarter-final put Burnley and Coyle in the headlines.

When they met Tottenham Hotspur in the semis, the Championship outfit overcame a 4-1 first leg defeat to take the tie to extra-time after winning the second leg 3-0. A Roman Pavlyuchenko goal three minutes from time denied the Turf Moor side a shot at the final.

Success in the cup did not affect Burnley's league form and they clinched a play-off spot by finishing up in fifth place. After master-minding victories over promotion favourites Reading in both play-off semi-final matches, Coyle's Burnley saw off Sheffield United in the Wembley final with a 1-0 victory to seal a place in the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

With Coyle at the helm, Burnely got off to a flying start to life in the Barclays Premier League, beating champions Manchester United in the second match of the 2009/10 season. However, the side struggled throughout most of the season, and things only got worse for the Clarets, who were later relegated, when Coyle left the club in January.

The Scotsman was widely tipped to take the vacant manager's job at Bolton Wanderers, and arrived soon after leaving Turf Moor. With the club in real danger of relegation, Coyle slowly but surely sparked an improvement in form, guiding the side to a 14th placed finish.

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Wheater joins Bolton
Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.
 


Wheater, 23, has agreed a three-and-half-year deal at the Reebok Stadium.

He could make his debut against Chelsea on Monday after arriving at the club's Euxton training complex on Thursday morning.

Manager Owen Coyle was keen to bolster his defence after selling Andy O'Brien to Leeds United.

It is understood Bolton have agreed a £2.3million fee with a further £1.5million based on appearances.

YOUNG PLAYERS

Coyle said: "First and foremost we are absolutely delighted to get a player of David's quality into Bolton. The hunger that he has shown in wanting to come to the football club has been first class.

"There has been a lot of competition for his signature and again this shows a willingness on our behalf to invest in young players.

"The club have parted with good money to secure the services of a very talented player who has been involved with England squads before.

"We want him to be involved at that level again and to do that he will have to play well for Bolton Wanderers, however he has arrived here with a real desire to achieve that.

"He has a great character as well. He will integrate into the group straight away and it all adds to the fantastic spirit that we have within the squad."

Wheater already has vast amounts of Premier League experience with Middlesbrough.

He said: "I met with the manager and we had a good chat about football.

"I had a look around the facilities and it was a really easy decision to make.

"From what I've seen there is a really great atmosphere at the club and a real buzz about the place and I'm looking forward to working hard and showing the manager what I can do."



Courtesy of:  premierleague.com

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Mixed fortunes for Bolton
Bolton Wanderers' Zat Knight has been ruled out for at least a month while Mark Davies has signed a new deal.
 


Defender Knight could be out of action for up to six weeks with the knee ligament injury he suffered in Sunday's win over Everton.

The 30-year-old damaged his right knee in a last-ditch tackle on Victor Anichebe during the first half of the 2-0 victory and was carried off on a stretcher.

Coyle admitted the news could easily have been worse but Knight has formed an impressive partnership with Gary Cahill and his loss is a setback for the Trotters.
Coyle said: "Zat suffered ligament damage. It's not as severe as we first thought but certainly bad enough to keep him out for a period of time. There's severe swelling in the area so I think we'll know better in seven to 10 days when that goes down.

"But I think it's fair to say he'll be four to six weeks, which is a terrible loss, first and foremost for Zat, because he's played every game for me since I came to the football club over a year ago.

"He's been outstanding as a player and as a man and the sooner we get him back the better. It is a blow, there's no doubt about it, and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Knight's injury opens the door for January signing David Wheater, who should now be given an extended run in the side, starting with Wednesday night's FA Cup fourth-round replay at Wigan Athletic.

TREMENDOUS BOOST
Meanwhile, midfielder Davies has signed a contract extension which ties him to the club until the summer of 2015.

Davies, who joined Bolton from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2009, has emerged as a key player this season, making 25 appearances and scoring once.

And the 22-year-old is delighted to have been rewarded with a new four-and-a-half-year deal.

He said: "I'm really pleased to have signed a new contract.

"The football club has been good to me since I moved here two years ago and I'm really settled in the area. The manager believes in me and I feel like I'm part of his plans."

Coyle, whose side are eighth in the table and pushing for a Europa League spot, told the club's official website: "Mark was already under contract but what this shows is that we are trying to build a football club for years to come.

"The nucleus is centred around young, exciting players and Mark certainly comes into that category.

"He is enjoying an extended run in the team at the moment and he is showing his qualities. To have a player of his ilk commit his long-term future to the football club is a tremendous boost."

_{Courtesy of:   premierleague.com}

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Ricketts facing lengthy spell out
Bolton Wanderers defender Sam Ricketts faces a long spell out of action after damaging his Achilles at Wigan Athletic.
 


Ricketts went to ground in the second half it the FA Cup fourth-round replay at the DW Stadium while tracking Latics substitute Victor Moses and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Manager Owen Coyle, who expects Zat Knight to be out for four to six weeks after the centre-back sustained an ankle ligament injury in Sunday's win over Everton in the Barclays Premier League, confirmed Ricketts had an Achilles problem and is likely to be sidelined for some considerable time.

CERTAINLY DAMAGED
"He has damaged his Achilles and it doesn't look great at this time," said Coyle, whose team ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Ivan Klasnic's 66th minute goal.

"The medical team think it could be quite severe and we hope that is not the scenario, but the way it is looking right now, I think it is going to be a lengthy period of time.

"I think he just went to recover as Moses was raiding for Wigan, and it looked innocuous, but because of the speed the game is played at - he has certainly damaged his Achilles, that is for sure. I just need to find out the extent of it on Thursday when it is looked at properly."

Courtesy of:   premierleague.com

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Ricketts sidelined for six months
Bolton Wanderers defender Sam Ricketts has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
 


The full-back is expected to be out for around six months following an operation on Friday on the injury picked up in the midweek FA Cup win at Wigan Athletic.

The news is a further blow for Bolton manager Owen Coyle, who this week lost central defender Zat Knight for four to six weeks with an ankle ligament injury.

Coyle says that Ricketts will receive all the support that he needs on his road to recovery.

SPEEDY RECOVERY
The Wales international, who sustained the injury ten minutes into the second half at the DW Stadium, now faces a race to get fit in time for the start of the 2011/12 campaign.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Fulham, Coyle said: "Unfortunately Sam has ruptured his Achilles and he will be operated on today.

"The likelihood is that he will be missing for about six months, which is a big blow for Sam first and foremost. He has been outstanding for us and our immediate thoughts go to him as we wish for a speedy recovery.

"It was very innocuous in terms that he sustained the injury by tracking the winger. He has put his foot down and stumbled so it is very unfortunate. With the speed that the game is now played then these type of injuries can occur.

"Sam will get all the help from the club that he requires, but we will now have to get on with everything."

 
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Holden out for six months
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden is expected to be ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

 


Holden, 25, suffered the injury on Saturday when he was hurt in a challenge with Manchester United's Jonny Evans in the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

The defender was sent off following the crunching tackle which left the American in agony.


Holden was taken to hospital after the challenge left him with a nasty gash on his right leg which required 26 stitches.

X-rays confirmed he had avoided a break, but the club an MRI scan has confirmed ligament damage.

winning mentality

Manager Owen Coyle told the club's official website: "First and foremost our main concern is for Stuart and his recovery. He will get all the time and support that he needs.

"Stuart has been outstanding for me this season and he has shown in his performances that he is one of the best midfielders in the Barclays Premier League.

"He has such desire, strength of character and a winning mentality, and he will draw on all those attributes in his rehabilitation."

It means the United States international will take no further part in the season, including the FA Cup semi-final against Stoke at Wembley on 17th April.

The injury will also rule him out of the United States' Gold Cup campaign in June.

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Bogdan signs new Bolton deal
Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has signed a new contract until the summer of 2014.

 


The 23-year-old, who joined the Trotters from Vasas SC in August 2007, made his first-team debut in the Carling Cup win over Southampton in August and has gone on to make seven further appearances, including three in the Barclays Premier League.

great news

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: "We're delighted that Adam's committed himself to a new contract. It shows that we're investing in young players and trying to build the football club with that nucleus of those young players.

"Mark Davies, Fabrice Muamba and Lee Chung-yong have all committed themselves to new deals at the club and Adam's the same.

"Since I came to the football club he's been outstanding and to have a young goalkeeper of that ilk commit himself is great news for everybody."

 
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Bolton Wanderers fixtures 2011/12
All of Bolton Wanderers' provisional fixtures for the new Barclays Premier League season.

 

Bolton Wanderers will begin the new Barclays Premier League season with a trip to Queens Park Rangers.

Owen Coyle's side will then host Manchester City before travelling to Liverpool.

After finishing the 2010/11 campaign with five successive defeats, Bolton will aim to make a strong start to the new campaign.

They finish the season with a trip to Stoke City.

Matches on 5th May will not clash with the FA Cup Final and may accordingly move to a different kick off time on the Saturday or to the Sunday. A further announcement will be made closer to the date.

All fixtures are provisional at this stage and subject to change.

Bolton Wanderers



August
13 QPR (A)
21 Man City (H)
27 Liverpool (A)

September
10 Man Utd (H)
17 Norwich (H)
24 Arsenal (A)

October
2 Chelsea (H)
15 Wigan (A)
22 Sunderland (H)
29 Swansea (A)

November
5 Stoke (H)
19 West Brom (A)
26 Everton (H)

December
3 Tottenham (A)
10 Aston Villa (H)
17 Fulham (A)
21 Blackburn (A)
26 Newcastle (H)
31 Wolverhampton (H)

January
2 Everton (A)
14 Man Utd (A)
21 Liverpool (H)
31 Arsenal (H)

February
4 Norwich (A)
11 Wigan (H)
25 Chelsea (A)

March
3 Man City (A)
10 QPR (H)
17 Aston Villa (A)
24 Blackburn (H)
31 Wolverhampton (A)

April
7 Fulham (H)
9 Newcastle (A)
14 Tottenham (H)
21 Swansea (H)
28 Sunderland (A)

May
5 West Brom (H)
13 Stoke (A)

Reproduced under license from Football DataCo Limited. All rights reserved. Licence number NEWMEDIA/PREMLGE/110083a.

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Bolton swoop for Eagles and Mears
Bolton Wanderers have completed the signings of Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears from Burnley.

 

Midfielder Eagles, 25, and defender Mears, 28, have both agreed three-year contracts. The pair become Coyle's third and fourth signings of the summer after the arrivals of Darren Pratley and Reo-Coker.

work hard

"Both Chris and Tyrone are top players and have shown that they have the ability to compete successfully at the highest level," said manager Owen Coyle, who knows the players from his time as manager of the Clarets.

"I have worked with them both before and know what they will bring to the club in terms of character and commitment and along with Nigel Reo-Coker, we have added real quality to the squad."

Eagles said: "I know that it is a good squad so the challenge for me will be to work hard and then look to contribute.

"I am an attacking midfielder and I will certainly be looking to chip in with some goals."

Mears added: "I'm really looking forward to working with a manager I've worked with before and playing in the Premier League.

"From the outside looking in, this has seemed like it is a club going in the right direction. It wasn't a difficult decision at all. I know exactly what the manager expects from his players and I'm more than ready for it."

 
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Reo-Coker sets sights on England
Nigel Reo-Coker is aiming to put himself back in the frame for England after joining Bolton Wanderers this week.



Wanderers confirmed on Wednesday that Reo-Coker, who was released by Aston Villa at the end of last season, had agreed a two-year deal at the Reebok Stadium.

The midfielder, a former England Under-21 captain, has been on the verge of a call-up to the senior squad in the past and last year rejected an invitation to play for Sierra Leone.

real opportunity

Asked if he had his sights set on reviving his England prospects having signed for Bolton, Reo-Coker said: "Yes, definitely. Playing consistently makes a difference and I hope having come here to get consistent games and then we will go from there."

The 27-year-old certainly has the backing of his new manager Owen Coyle.

"We'd love to get him back to that level because I believe he's capable of doing that," Coyle said. "This is a real opportunity and a platform for him to show everybody what we believe - that he is a top-class player."

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Lee blow for Bolton
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong will be sidelined for a minimum of nine months.

 


The 23-year-old South Korea international will miss most of the season after breaking his leg in Saturday's pre-season friendly at Newport.

Lee underwent a successful operation after sustaining a double fracture of his lower right leg during Wanderers' 3-1 win in south Wales.

consistent performer

He was carried off on a stretcher midway through the first half following a rash challenge from Tom Miller.

The club posted a statement on their website confirming he was recovering in hospital and was expected to be sidelined for the bulk of the 2011-12 campaign.

Lee joined Bolton from FC Seoul in summer 2009 and has been a consistent performer for the Trotters over the past two years.

Manager Owen Coyle told the club's official website: "We will make sure Chung-yong gets all the support he needs, as now it is all about his recovery and wellbeing. That is the most important thing.

"The operation went well and we would like to pass on our thanks to the medical staff involved."

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Mears injury blow
New Bolton Wanderers signing Tyrone Mears has broken his leg in training, less than a week after joining the club.

 


The defender, who completed his signing from Burnley alongside Clarets team-mate Chris Eagles on Friday, will now miss several months of the new season.

Manager Owen Coyle said: "Ty went in for a challenge and unfortunately suffered the injury.

"It was desperately unlucky for him and we will make sure that he is fully supported in his rehabilitation.

"He will go for a check and an assessment in a month and that will indicate more accurately the timescale for his recovery."

losing another

Mears, who was pencilled in to take the right-back slot for Wanderers this season, has instead become the club's third long-term absentee and second player to break his leg in pre-season. The Trotters' 2010/11 player of the year Stuart Holden suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in March and fellow midfielder Lee Chung-yong was ruled out for a minimum of nine months after breaking his right leg in a friendly against Newport.

Gretar Steinsson and Sam Ricketts are available to provide cover for Mears, but manager Owen Coyle may be persuaded to add to his squad after losing another first-teamer.

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Tuncay joins Trotters
Bolton Wanderers have signed Tuncay Sanli from Wolfsburg on a season-long loan, subject to a work permit.

 


The 29-year-old forward left Stoke City in January after a frustrating 18 month spell, expressing his desire to play in the Bundesliga.

However, he has secured a swift return to England to join Owen Coyle's side.

"I had good talks with the manager and we spoke a lot about football and his ambitions for the club and I wanted to be part of that," said the former Middlesbrough player.

proven quality

Bolton manager Coyle was pleased to have brought some variety and experience into his side.

"We are delighted to have secured the loan for Tuncay," he said.

"He has great experience added to the proven quality he possesses. We are pleased to have brought him to our club."

If Tuncay's season-long loan deal is a success Bolton have the option to sign him permanently.

He will not be available for Saturday's opening league fixture at Queens Park Rangers as he has not yet received a work permit.

The striker has scored 20 goals in a total of 111 Barclays Premier League appearances with Stoke and Middlesbrough since 2007.

 
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Holden faces more time out
Stuart Holden is expected to miss another six months of action due to a routine procedure on his knee injury.

 


The Bolton Wanderers midfielder sustained the long-term injury in last season's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford following a challenge by Jonny Evans.

Holden was thought to be closing in on full fitness after playing the full 90 minutes in their recent Carling Cup win at Aston Villa, but he needs more surgery.

prime concern

Bolton had hoped the operation could be carried out next summer, however, the date has been brought forward for the player's welfare.

"Our prime concern has always been Stuart's welfare and his long-term health and fitness," manager Owen Coyle told the club's official website.

"It was looking likely that the operation could be scheduled for next summer, but after follow-up consultations with the specialists we have brought the date forward."



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Bolton's Alonso could be out for six weeks
Trotters star sidelined by foot injury suffered against Blackburn Rovers


Marcos Alonso made his first League appearance of the season against Fulham

Bolton could be without Marcos Alonso for six weeks after he injured his foot in the win over Blackburn.

The Spaniard missed nearly four months of the season after breaking a bone in his foot in a Carling Cup tie against Mansfield in August.

He started his first Barclays Premier League match against Fulham last weekend but suffered a setback when he was forced off in the 2-1 win over Blackburn on Tuesday.

   

"He looked so confident and assured at Blackburn"
    - Owen Coyle

Bolton manager Owen Coyle revealed the 20-year-old ex-Real Madrid player will need surgery, adding: "There was no new fracture as such, but the pin that was inserted to heal the original fracture has taken a knock and that needs to be replaced.

"He is set to be out for six weeks but we are hoping it will be less than that. We can't be sure right now because the operation will take place today and we will take it from there.

"Marcos came in for the Fulham game and looked so confident and assured the other night at Blackburn.

"When he comes back fit and available he will be ready to kick-on and have a terrific career."

_{Courtesy of:  premierleague.com}