Full name | Bolton Wanderers Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) |
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Founded | 1874 | (as Christ Church F.C.)||
Ground | Toughsheet Community Stadium | ||
Capacity | 28,723[1] | ||
Owner | Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd (92%)[2][3] British Business Bank (8%)[4] | ||
Chairman | Sharon Brittan | ||
Manager | Ian Evatt | ||
League | EFL League One | ||
2023–24 | EFL League One, 3rd of 24 | ||
Website | bwfc.co.uk | ||
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Bolton Wanderers Football Club (/ˈboʊltən/ ⓘ BOHL-tən) is a professional football club based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, which competes in League One, the third level of the English football league system.
Formed in 1874, it was a founding member of the Football League in 1888. The club won the Second Division title in 1908–09, and the FA Cup in 1923, the "White Horse Final", 1926, 1929 and 1958. Bolton were relegated in 1964 and again in 1971, but regained their top-flight status after winning the 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 Fourth Division was secured in 1987–88, and they lifted the Football League Trophy in 1989 after being beaten finalists in 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 First Division play-off final. Bolton then spent eleven consecutive seasons in the Premier League, reaching the 2004 League Cup final and the knock-out stages of the UEFA Cup twice. Two relegations in five years left them in League One by 2016, and though they won promotion in 2016–17, severe financial difficulties saw the club enter 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.[2][3] Relegated to the fourth tier in 2020, they won promotion out of 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 the Toughsheet Community Stadium. They have spent 73 seasons in the top flight without winning the title, more than any other club.[5]
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