10 Years Ago

THERE was no longer any doubt over who would succeed Colin Todd as manager of Bolton Wanderers — the only question was when the announcement would be made.

All bets were off when Sam Allardyce, the former Burnden Park favourite, quit as manager of Notts County.

Suddenly the guessing game became a waiting game.

But Phil Brown wasn’t making it easy for new Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside.

After stepping up from first team coach to caretaker manager after Todd resigned, Brown — Allardyce’s former assistant at Blackpool — inspired the Whites to three wins out of four, including a 2-1 Worthington Cup triumph away to Premeir League side Derby County, where Michael Johansen’s late winner secured a home tie against another top flight club, Sheffield Wednesday.

Down at Meadow Lane, Notts County were stunned by Allardyce’s resignation.

They issued a statement to say: “Like others, we are asking ourselves why Sam should leave a well-paid job and a team that he has taken to near the top of the league with the promise of success this season.

“We will no doubt have the answer to that question when we see where Sam, and the dust, settles in due course.”

Leigh Centurions’ financial problems had hit such a low that the club’s chief executive, Mick Higgins, resigned after seven years in the job as a cost-saving measure.

Higgins was expected to stay on as chairman.

15 Years Ago

JASON McAteer and Alan Stubbs were hitting such incredible heights with Wanderers that it was understandable they would be the subject of transfer speculation.

But with the rumour mill churning out stories almost on a daily basis, it was getting beyond a joke.

The latest tale suggested McAteer, the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder who had already been linked with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, was on his way to Blackburn in a £3.5million deal.

Wanderers boss Bruce Rioch issued yet another denial but he was clearly getting fed up with the whole business. “I don’t see why I should have to keep responding to stories like this,” he said.

On the field McAteer featured in a 2-2 draw with Oldham Athletic at Burnden Park — Paul Bernard and Sean McCarthy scoring second half goals to grab a point for Joe Royle’s men after Mixu Paatelainen and David Lee had given Wanderers what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 half-time lead.

Royle was happy with a point but less than happy with the behaviour of a group of fans behind the subs bench.

During the game the Latics boss seemed to make light of verbal exchanges with spectators in the Manchester Road terrace, but after the game, he complained: “That was a nice touch by Bolton, letting the local asylum in to stand behind the visiting bench.

“I’ve never seen so many misfits in my life.”

Former Bury manager Sam Ellis made an unhappy return to Gigg Lane where his Lincoln City side were beaten 2-0.

Ellis tried to wind up Shakers boss Mike Walsh — his former assistant — before the game, describing him as “young and inexperienced”. But it was the apprentice who had the last laugh on the sorcerer with Lenny Johnrose and David Pugh getting the goals.

Damon Hill’s three-race winning streak ended when he was beaten into second place by Michael Schumacher in the European Grand Prix at Jerez.

That put Schumacher five points clear of the British challenger but Hill’s confidence wasn’t dented.

“Finishing second means my chances of winning the championship are still there,” he said. “I’m still in there with a chance with two races left.”

40 Years Ago

THEY came to bury Caesar but they ended up eating out of his hand.

The rumoured bid to force a vote of no confidence in the Bolton Wanderers board failed to materialise at the annual shareholders’ meeting.

For the most part, the shareholders sat transfixed by the eloquence of chairman Harry Tyldesley for whom, without doubt, the meeting was a personal triumph.

Only the odd voice was raised to ask the sort of question the football public of Bolton wanted asking. The fiery Alderman Walter Walsh was the leader of the “tell us your policy” brigade which was woefully short of volunteers.

He pressed the beleaguered board for answers, speaking of liquidation, pointing out that the Bolton public wanted the best as far as football was concerned and that they weren’t going to Burnden Park because Wanderers, managed by Nat Lofthouse, were in their lowest ever league position and showed no sign of arresting the decline.

But Mr Tyldesley took the wind out of the rebels’ sails when he said he was prepared to stand down if someone with suitable wealth was prepared to take over the running of the club.

“I issue a challenge to those within and without this room,” he told his Burnden Park audience. “If a consortium of wealthy gentlemen who have faith would approach this board and enter negotiations with us directly, I promise you they would not get a rebuttal.

“It does not mean that this board is abdicating. The door is open. I have heard talk of wealthy people and if they will give their weight of support and cash to go with it I will resign and make a seat available on the board.”

Nat Lofthouse put on a brave face. “We are on the floor, but that doesn’t mean we will stay there,” the manager said.

“The players know they are off form and some are getting no help from the others.

“But I am fully confident that this playing staff can get off the floor.”

No immediate financial help was forthcoming but Wanderers did receive an offer of help from a local businessman said to be of “considerable influence”.

Indian hypnotist Mirza, who claimed to have helped golfers, tennis and darts players improve their performances, offered to use his will-to-win hpynosis methods on the players before their next match.

Wanderers said thanks but no thanks.