Source: Daily_Mail
Bolton Wanderers: A history lesson
Almost two decades before they got round to forming Liverpool FC, a Sunday school teacher in Bolton set up a football team that in 1877 would develop into the club we know today, and which some treasure, as Bolton Wanderers.[LNB]In 1880, 12 years before Liverpool were formed, Bolton Wanderers turned professional. [LNB]In 1882 Wanderers played in the FA Cup for the first time, and in 1888 they became one of the founder members of the Football League. Liverpool were invited to join by clubs like Bolton five years later.[LNB] Invasion: 200,000 fans spilled onto the pitch after the 1923 FA Cup Final[LNB] Bolton never were as successful or as 'big' as Liverpool, but then Bolton had Manchester on their southern doorstep, Burnley, Blackburn and Preston to the north and Huddersfield to the east. Merseyside lies to the west.[LNB]Despite their geography Bolton carved out a following and judging by the first FA Cup final at Wembley in 1923, their appeal lay beyond the town's boundaries. Having said that, the legend of the White Horse and the estimated 300,000 who were at Wembley to see Bolton defeat West Ham 2-0 that historic day probably do not resonate in downtown Kuala Lumpur.[LNB]David Jack scored Bolton's opener at Wembley, the first man to score at the stadium. He was born in Bolton and when the club sold him to Arsenal in 1928 it was for a world-record fee of ?10,000. [LNB]Forty-two years after Bolton first won the FA Cup, Liverpool did the same. This coincided with Bill Shankly becoming manager at Anfield. He took over in 1959 when Liverpool were a Second Division club as they were from 1954 to 1962. [LNB] Hero: Nat Lofthouse holds aloft the FA Cup after Bolton's triumph in 1958.[LNB]For that period and decades before, Bolton were in the First Division. They won the FA Cup for a fourth time in 1958. They had a man up front called Nat Lofthouse. Shankly would have known all about this given that during the Second World War he played for Bolton as a guest. [LNB] Liverpool's success in the Seventies and Eighties is why they are such a global attraction or 'brand'. Bolton are not. They went through hard times. But it is only six years since they finished sixth in the Premier League, a place behind Liverpool on goal difference. They played in Europe the next season, and again two seasons later. [LNB]They may not be as well known as Liverpool but followers of Bayern Munich, Marseille and Zenit St Petersburg among others know them. Arsenal and Chelsea know today's team and management as people with whom they can entrust the development of young English talents such as Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge. [LNB] Loan star: Owen Coyle has been trusted with the likes of Daniel Sturridge [LNB]Owen Coyle and his brand of football are part of the reason why Bolton's average attendance rose 4.5 per cent last season. Bolton Wanderers are not perfect but they are trying to be competitive and sustainable. They have an important history and a modern audience. [LNB]At Lofthouse's funeral in January it was again obvious just what he and Bolton meant to England, and the North West in particular. His overriding ambition was re-stated during the ceremony. [LNB]It was 'to be a decent bloke'. [LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: What a load of hot Ayre! Greedy quest for TV deal is undermining Liverpool's traditionYou're trying to kill our game! Premier League rivals to pull the plug on Liverpool's TV planKop TV storm! Liverpool want to cash in with breakaway from Premier League rightsAll the latest Bolton news, features and opinion [LNB]
