From the Evening News, April 20, 1904: EVERYTHING passed off very successfully at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Bolton Wanderers Football and Athletic Co Ltd, held on Tuesday evening in the Empress Hall, Mealhouse Lane.

The chairman, Mr TY Ritson, said the directors regretted the failure of the team to qualify for the First Division of the League, but, on the other hand, had every reason to congratulate the shareholders on the team's success in the cup ties. To beat such clubs as Reading, Southampton, Sheffield United and Derby County was a feat of which any club might be proud. The Second Division would again have to be faced and it was the intention of the directors to keep the team together, to secure some first-class men and make a determined effort to get their place in the First Division next season. The balance sheet showed there had been a loss on the year's working to February 29 of £525 5s 5d, but the club had yet to receive its share of the third round, semi-final and final gates, which the directors estimated at £1,500. Players' wages and signing-on bonuses absorbed £3,752 9s 8d.

From the Evening News, April 20, 1954: MOSS Bank Park was a meeting place for hundreds of Boltonians yesterday. The fields were sprinkled with groups of people of all ages and the sandpit resembled Blackpool beach. The seaside effect was strengthened by a crowd of young children waiting to ride on some particularly small ponies.

ALTHOUGH more people spent Easter away from home this year, communion services in Bolton churches were well-attended. In several cases record numbers were reached.

From the Evening News, April 20, 1979: NIGHT club boss Eddie Grindrod took part in the Boston marathon on Easter Monday. Big Eddie, who is a partner at Maxwell Plum, Bolton, finished about 4,000th in a field of more than 10,000 runners. At the end of the gruelling race, Eddie had difficulty walking and had to be wrapped in tin foil to bring his temperature down slowly.

ICE-SKATING star Michael Fish has arrived back in Bolton fresh from a triumph in the World Professional Ice Dance Championships in Spain. Michael, aged 25, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, and partner Susan Whillance, of Entwistle Avenue, Davyhulme, came third in the championships.

From the Evening News, April 20, 1994: A BBC film crew has been busy putting Bolton badminton ace Chris Hunt in the picture. The 25-year-old England international has been followed by the camera through training sessions and recent tournaments for programmes about the next Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. He has won titles this season in the English Nationals and the All-England Championships.

HORWICH will be invaded by Morrismen from across Lancashire when they celebrate St George's Day on Saturday. Eight groups will dance their way through the town - stopping off at six pubs on the way.