BOLTON Wanderers are set to play a major role in this weekend’s remembrance events in the borough.

The club will mark the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War One by inviting cadets to the Macron stadium for a ceremony prior to the game against Wigan on Friday evening.

Club representatives will also, for the first time, be laying a wreath during Sunday’s remembrance service in Victoria Square.

Cadets from the sea, air and army divisions, will take to the pitch prior to the kick off to hold a poppy mat in the centre circle.

They will then form a guard of honour for both sides as they walk on to the pitch and representatives from each club will join the cadets in laying wreaths at the side of the pitch, which will be later moved to the memorial area near the west stand.

The pre-match service will also feature a rendition of The Last Post and a two minute silence.

Club Chaplain, the Rev Phil Mason, said: “We have of course observed the minutes silence before but this is the first time that we have encouraged the cadets to come along for a more extensive ceremony.

“We think it is important to mark the centenary events and to recognise the part that the club played in both world wars.”

Perhaps the most notable involvement Wanderers had with the war effort is when in 1939, captain Harry Gosling announced to the Burnden Park crowd that after the game the first team would make their way to the Territorial Army hall to sign up.

The borough’s commemoration events will continue with a special concert of remembrance at the Albert Halls which will run from 7pm until 9.40pm, with tickets still available from the box office.

On Sunday morning, cadets and veterans will be joined by members of the public as well as political and civic leaders for the main service of remembrance, led by the Vicar of Bolton, the Rev Matt Thompson in Victoria Square.

Groups will assemble in Le Mans Crescent from 10.30am before marching onto the square ahead of the service at 11am, which will also feature a two minute silence and a rendition of The Last Post by the Hoover band.

The ceremony will see Mr Mason and former Whites player Tony Kelly invited to join others in laying wreaths by the Cenotaph.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy, will mark the occasion by scattering soil gathered from Flanders Fields around the memorial to the sound of ‘The Piper’s lament’ played by the Bolton Scottish Pipe Band.

Cllr John Walsh, a key organiser of Bolton’s remembrance events, said: “While the events will be based on World War One and the important centenary year, these commemorations will be for all those who have served, who have given their lives or been injured on duty. We won’t forget anyone.”