FORMER Wanderers players rolled back the years to win the North West Masters Cup in sensational style.

The Reebok old boys steamrolled the opposition to lift the trophy at the MEN Arena on Saturday night.

After thrashing rivals Blackburn 4-1 and Burnley 5-1 in the group stages, captain David Lee’s team defeated Oldham 2-1 in the final.

Wanderers, with the outstanding Richard Sneekes pulling the strings, were simply too good for rest, and the Dutchman, along with team-mates Lee, Simon Farnworth, Tony Kelly, Scott Green, Michael Johansen, Simon Charlton, Julian Darby and Allan Johnston, will now compete in the Grand Final in Liverpool on September 6.

“It was a great night,” said skipper Lee, in his sixth Masters tournament. “I always knew we were in with a chance after we got the team together and I’m really pleased we’re through to the final.

“I thought we played really well and were the best team in the tournament.

“The fact that all the players apart from one — Simon Charlton — had played together before definitely helped. There was a real camaraderie in the side.

“Richard (Sneekes) was superb but it was a real team effort. Hopefully it will give the whole club a boost and help give Bolton a bit of publicity.”

Lee certainly led by example, scoring twice in Bolton’s opening 4-1 triumph against Blackburn. Johnston and Sneekes, with a sublime chip, were also on target.

Bolton made short work of Burnley to qualify for the final, Green (2), Lee, Darby and Johnston paving the way for a 5-1 triumph.

Oldham topped their group, which included Manchester United and City - with the Blues winning the derby clash 4-3 - to set up a showdown with Wanderers.

In the final, Sneekes’ 34th-second opener gave Bolton the perfect start before the midfielder limped off injured.

Neil Tolson equalised but Wanderers always had the upper hand and the excellent Johnston, who is looking for a new club after being released by Kilmarnock after missing last season with injury, struck a fine winner.

They will now take on Middlesbrough, Wolves, QPR, Tranmere, Celtic, Leicester and Barnsley for the Masters Cup.