IT’S only when you start compiling the shortlists for the greatest Wanderers team of the last 20 years you realise just how lucky we have been.

When the club moved to their brand new home 20 years ago there was a lot of concern the ‘soul’ would disappear – and some who still remember the days of Burnden Park might argue it has never been the same.

Personally, I don’t see it as better or worse. Just different. Football is almost unrecognisable and while we may complain about the obscene money now flooding the game, would we have given up the chance to see Jay Jay or Youri strut their stuff? It quite simply would not have happened if Wanderers had not moved with the times.

I was glad when the paper said we couldn’t pick anyone from the current squad or management team. That has spared me a few awkward moments when I next step into the training ground. When we write a feature on 25 years, I’d like to think Phil Parkinson, David Wheater, Adam Le Fondre and Co could be in the running.

My team has loosely been given a 3-4-3 formation but, being honest, I didn’t given practicality a second thought. These legends would manage themselves.

Goalkeeper – Jussi Jaaskelainen: I’ve never seen a keeper work harder in my life than he did in his prime. His training sessions with Fred Barber were brutal and it is no coincidence he lasted as long at the top level as he did. Consummate professional.

Defender – Gary Cahill: Made such progress at Wanderers, evolving from a raw young centre-half to an England international. Also one of the most down to earth and approachable players I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.

Defender – Gudni Bergsson: Had to judge this one from afar, as I didn’t cover Bolton when the Icelander was in his prime. But going off colleagues’ recommendations and dealing with Gudni as a person, you can see why he was so integral in establishing the Whites as a Premier League side.

Defender – Abdoulaye Faye: Call me old fashioned but I want my centre-halves to have a menacing air about them – and this fella definitely did. Built like the proverbial outhouse and dominant in the air, he was a personal favourite of mine.

Midfielder – Ricardo Gardner: Although the readers had to vote on him as a defender, I have sneaked Bibi into my midfield because I couldn’t bear to leave him out. Just genuinely proud to play for Bolton.

Midfielder – Gary Speed: I’m very rarely star-struck but having rated Speed as one of my very favourite players growing up, it was an amazing experience to meet him in person. He remains very dearly missed by everyone who worked with him at Bolton.

Midfielder – Jay Jay Okocha: He was getting to the end of his career when I came to the paper but still capable of breath-taking skill and could fill a stadium with his star power.

Midfielder - Stuart Holden: People might point to the fact Holden didn’t play a lot of games for Bolton but in this team I’m picking players at their very best – and at one stage, no-one in the Premier League could touch him. Unbreakable spirit, and a top guy to boot.

Striker – Kevin Davies: Watched him batter – and get battered by – just about every top defender in the game but brush himself down and get on with it. Took great pride in seeing him play for England too. No question he’d be in my line-up.

Striker – Nicolas Anelka: Seemed to glide around the pitch at times, and I still don’t think I’ve seen a striker with better anticipation or movement from the press box. Despite the rumours, a very respectful and polite person too.

Striker – Youri Djorkaeff: I didn’t get to work with him closely but watched the French team with such awe in those days, I feel like I did. Balletic poise and an incredible first touch – his signing is still an incredible piece of business even all these years on.

Subs: Have to pick three, so going with a bit of everything. Fernando Hierro edges out Ivan Campo – both great players but while Ivan had a greater effect on Bolton and played more games, Hierro’s pedigree is arguably better than anyone on this list.

Stelios Giannakopoulos makes my bench because he brought such energy and goals to midfield. And finally, after long deliberation, Eidur Gudjohnsen gets my striker spot. A different player in his two spells at Bolton which bookended his career but class, nevertheless.

We also have two more teams from fellas who know a thing or two about Wanderers.

Paul Holliday - fan man and boy, and head of the club's press office - picked the following team: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Bergsson, Cahill, Charlton; Nolan, Okocha, Djorkaeff, Thompson; Anelka, Gudjohnsen.

And Jack Dearden - who has covered all 20 years at the new stadium for BBC Radio Manchester - picked the following: Jaaskelainen; O'Brien, Cahill, Hierro, Alonso; Okocha, Nolan, Djorkaeff; Davies, Gudjohnsen, Anelka.