Andrew Smith: Those fabulous White Hot years were the best of my life
In the build-up to Wanderers' FA Cup fourth round clash against Arsenal we asked former Bolton Evening News Editor Andrew Smith to recall what it was like to be in charge of the paper during The White Hot Years.
White Hot friends, White Hot memories and the White Hot Wanderers - what a heady cocktail to celebrate as the FA Cup, the only proper football knockout tournament, pairs Bolton against Arsenal once again.
It is 16 years since the Super Whites slayed the Gunners at Highbury to reach the Fifth Round on one of the greatest footballing nights ever for those lucky enough to be there. It seems like only a year or so ago.
Those fabulous White Hot years were the best of my life - not just because we had a giant-killing football team to follow but because I had the pleasure to edit a great newspaper, the Bolton Evening News, to work with the nicest group of people I have ever encountered and to live on the hillside above Horwich among neighbours who have become dear, lifelong friends.
As a Geordie, football ran through my veins. The first seven years of my life were spent in a terraced house within sight and earshot of St.James's Park. I probably heard the roar of 60,000 fans who regularly jammed into the ground to cheer on the likes of Jackie Milburn, but Newcastle were in the Second Division by the time I was allowed to go to my first match in the early Sixties.
Across the Pennines, Bolton Wanderers, like Newcastle, were among the big guns. We will always be grateful that you gave us the likes of Wyn Davies, the first centre forward I worshipped, and later Alan Gowling. There was a bond between the Magpies and the Wanderers that made it easy for me to become a regular and passionate fan of my adopted home town team.
And so to Anfield, in January 1993, a couple of months after I joined the BEN and in the company of my new managing director, who was a Scouser through every sinew of his being. We sat together in a paddock enclosure, the Kop and its opposite terrace being considered far too dangerous for those of mixed allegiance, such as us.
Scousers and Geordies normally enjoy the mutual respect that blossoms in a heritage of hard work, hard play, lavatory humour and football that is not about life or death but is much more important than that, to recall an observation of the great Bill Shankly.
How it all began at Anfield in 1993
There was no such camaraderie on this night. The new editor saw in a Wanderers victory a hike in circulation and buoyant local business - not to mention the bagging of an aristocratic scalp in revenge for a long run of Mersey triumphs over the Tyne. The new MD had no such interest in the greater good, demanding and expecting nothing less than a mauling of the minnows.
When John McGinlay put the Wanderers ahead I leapt from my seat, thumped my sitting boss on his back and joined in a hearty chant of "Super, Super John, Super John McGinlay." I had become a happy Wanderer, a status that has remained with me to this day. I still check the Bolton scores as eagerly as I do those of the Toon' and my adopted team has given me much more to cheer than my native outfit in recent years!
I'm flattered that the BEN website credits me with coining the phrase 'White Hot' for the Front Page headline summarising the Liverpool result and, if I did, it only adds to the swell of emotion that it has come to epitomise a glorious era in the history of a very special football club.
When we beat Everton at Goodison Park a year later, I couldn't attend the match but remember being in the office first thing the following morning to lead the team at the BEN in recording yet another historic occasion for the Wanderers. I clearly recall seeing the photograph that mirrored the one used from the Liverpool game, when John McGinley once again led his team-mates over to the BEN photographer to salute the victory, arms aloft. The newsroom was united - it was White Hot 2'.
When the Wanderers despatched Arsenal in extra time at Highbury three weeks later, Super John McGinley had already picked out the BEN photographer and at the final whistle ran half the length of the pitch with fellow scorer Jason McAteer to pose for another classic picture - White Hot 3'. The legend was in the frame.
It is truly a pleasure to be asked to recall the White Hot years once again for the BEN and to relive that special time in our lives. The results were incredible and the achievements immense but my most cherished memories are of the teams involved - my colleagues on the BEN and the players, manager and officials of the Wanderers.
Best wishes to all, and may there be many more White Hot days to come.
By far the most exciting times for Bolton Wanderers. Its good now but then we had players playing out of their skin and well above their limits and set the foundations for the current success. Those giant killing acts will never be beaten or ever forgotten. The best team spirit in boltons history and the most likeable players.
By far the most exciting times for Bolton Wanderers. Its good now but then we had players playing out of their skin and well above their limits and set the foundations for the current success. Those giant killing acts will never be beaten or ever forgotten. The best team spirit in boltons history and the most likeable players.
RANK - all i can say bout bolton , id rather watch inverness caley thistle play than a team of neds with no skill. Keep kicking the ball in box n pray it comes off 1 of there stinking heads, bound to score a goal!
RANK - all i can say bout bolton , id rather watch inverness caley thistle play than a team of neds with no skill. Keep kicking the ball in box n pray it comes off 1 of there stinking heads, bound to score a goal!
As long as Big Sam is there, the club will never progress. Bolton does not play football - just physical , rough, unattractive thuggery kick ball. Dead ball and set pieces are just about the only times they have their moments. Their only footballer Anelka speaks of a return to Arsenal. Pathetic.
As long as Big Sam is there, the club will never progress. Bolton does not play football - just physical , rough, unattractive thuggery kick ball. Dead ball and set pieces are just about the only times they have their moments. Their only footballer Anelka speaks of a return to Arsenal. Pathetic.
I wish my fellow gooners would calm down. As Wenger said today, they ain't a bad footballing side. They're not out-and-out thugs like Sheff Utd or Blackburn, and have a few really talented players. Our mistake has been that the only English sides we raise our game for are the other big four teams and the scum. If we're not kicked off the park that'll usuallly do, but not against a fired up Bolton. They've been just outside the top four for a few seasons now, and I would take any win on Sunday at this moment in time. They've done **** wonders with their club since they got back to the prem. However, they are right about something. Big Fat Sam does look like a walrus. Sorry. That's a bit unfair on walruses......
GANPATI bless
I wish my fellow gooners would calm down. As Wenger said today, they ain't a bad footballing side. They're not out-and-out thugs like Sheff Utd or Blackburn, and have a few really talented players. Our mistake has been that the only English sides we raise our game for are the other big four teams and the scum. If we're not kicked off the park that'll usuallly do, but not against a fired up Bolton. They've been just outside the top four for a few seasons now, and I would take any win on Sunday at this moment in time. They've done **** wonders with their club since they got back to the prem. However, they are right about something. Big Fat Sam does look like a walrus. Sorry. That's a bit unfair on walruses......
GANPATI bless
listen, to where sam hs brought us was not imaginied in the burnden days, we can give anyone a game, sorrry that the views above have come from bacterial like ameoba growing in blackburns valleys, that have to have a mutant taffy(sheep) and more (sheep) as a manager. quite simply you are all jealous because you aint made the grade, go on bolton you is the best
listen, to where sam hs brought us was not imaginied in the burnden days, we can give anyone a game, sorrry that the views above have come from bacterial like ameoba growing in blackburns valleys, that have to have a mutant taffy(sheep) and more (sheep) as a manager. quite simply you are all jealous because you aint made the grade, go on bolton you is the best
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