THE days when Wanderers fans used to chant Mark Beevers’ name and sing about him wearing a ‘magic hat’ seem distant – but the big defender still has plenty of affection for the club.

As one half of the “Wheavers” partnership with David Wheater, the former Sheffield Wednesday defender was part of a Bolton back line which conceded just 36 goals in the 2016/17 promotion campaign.

He proved equally effective at the other end of the pitch too, adding seven goals to Wheater’s nine to help Phil Parkinson’s side make an immediate return to the Championship.

But life in the second tier proved difficult, and though Beevers still held down a regular place his star never quite shone as brightly over the next two seasons as the financial chaos gradually took over.

Now playing in the blue of Peterborough United, the 30-year-old is glad to see a semblance of normality has been resumed at Bolton. And though his new club, chasing promotion after an ambitious summer in the transfer market, start Saturday’s game as heavy favourites, Beevers believes they should still be wary.

“I’m glad the club has straightened itself out,” Beevers told the Peterborough Telegraph. “What happened there has been well documented, but it’s in the past now. It’s been resolved and they can concentrate on playing football again.

“In a way there is no pressure on them because of the points deduction and there is no way we can take them lightly.

“I was there for three seasons, but there are only about five players left from my time so I don’t know a lot about them. Even the manager has changed.

“But what I do know is they have signed some good, experienced players.

“The Bolton games are ones I looked up when the fixtures came out, but I won’t be treating Saturday’s game any differently.

“The team will prepare thoroughly as always and we will analyse their strengths and weaknesses and hope that leads to a win.

“We did well at Portsmouth last weekend, but we need to build on that point and set off on a winning run again.”

Beevers’ finest moment in a Bolton shirt was arguably the last-minute winner he scored at Southend United at the peak of Bolton’s promotion tilt.

He is yet to get off the mark for his new club, however, having had fewer opportunities in the Peterborough set-up.

“I’ve not had much of a chance to score yet,” Beevers added. “Which is irritating as Frankie Kent (fellow centre-back) has two goals, something he likes to remind me about “I’ve been used more as a decoy at set-pieces, but hopefully I’ll get a goal soon which will get the confidence up.”