Formed in 1874, Bolton Wanderers
were Football League founder members in 1888 and winners of the first FA
Cup final at Wembley in 1923. Further FA Cup glory followed in 1926 and
1929 and Wanderers were also riding high in the First Division with
third-placed finishes recorded in 1921 and 1925. The legendary Nat
Lofthouse provided the club with a fourth FA Cup final victory in 1958
with both goals in a famous 2-0 victory over Manchester United. After a
steady decline, Bolton were playing Fourth Division football in 1987 but
a spectacular revival saw them promoted to the Premier League for one
season via the play-offs in 1995. Burnden Park celebrated its centenary
in the same year but a move to the Reebok Stadium was just around the
corner. Wanderers' impressive new home was soon hosting top-flight
football again following the club's Division One title romp in 1997 and
another promotion in the 2000/01 campaign, after which they maintained
their Premier League status. Their impressive sixth-placed finish in
2004/05 secured a first taste of European football for the Trotters in
the UEFA Cup.
FA. CUP WINNERS 1923, 1926, 1929 &
1958.
HISTORY
