WE delved into the archives to find out what was happening at Bolton Wanderers on this day in history.

The Bolton News:

FROM The Bolton News – April 7, 1994

WANDERERS put their Coca Cola Cup heartbreak behind them on a stormy night at Swindon where the air was turned blue!

Referee Graham Barber found himself in the centre of a hot-tempered game in which Town boss Steve McMahon was sent off for an ugly challenge on Jason McAteer and Mixu Paatelainen’s night also ended early following a tussle with Shaun Taylor.

McMahon weighed in after the game with a blistering attack on refereeing standards, ranting: “They are so poor. If they don’t get their act together then they’ll cost us our livelihoods. Something has got to be done!”

Bruce Rioch was decidedly more reserved, adding only that he had asked Surrey ref Barber to review football of Paatelainen’s tangle with Taylor before putting in his report.

Diplomacy wasn’t high on the list of Swindon’s list of priorities, however, and the Wiltshire club was forced to sack their PA, Devon-based Pete Lewis, for some unsuitable half-time comments.

Lewis had started the interval entertainments by proclaiming over the tannoy: “I’ve seen some crap refereeing decisions in my time… but that!”

“The best decision on the night was the sacking of the PA,” said Rioch, whose side had claimed a vital win thanks to Alan Thompson’s 88th minute strike.

“People shouldn’t be employed to stoke up the game and make it any more intense than it already is.”

FROM The Bolton News – April 7, 2016

WANDERERS defender David Wheater apologised to fans after he was caught on camera making an abusive gesture before a 3-1 defeat at Brentford.

Both Wheater and his team-mate Liam Trotter were in hot water with the club after their actions were captured live on Periscope.

The centre-back was contrite, telling The Bolton News on a community visit to a community food bank the following day: "I must stress it was not aimed at the fans. Anyone who knows me knows I am not malicious.

"It was just a joke aimed at the staff member who I know who was filming and I didn’t know it was live.

"If I did I wouldn’t have done it and again I apologise for fans who saw it.

"Obviously we shouldn’t have done it.

"I am someone who likes a joke away from the pitch but it was wrong.

"I just have to get on with it and deal with the punishment.

"It was before the game not after and we thought it would be funny but obviously it was wrong.

"It’s done now and we have to deal with the consequences and move on."

FROM The Bolton News – April 7, 2004

KEVIN Davies has set himself a double-figure goal target after securing a one-year extension to his Reebok contract.

The 27-year-old Wanderers striker, who was on seven for the season and had recently signed a new one-year deal with the club, said: "I'd love a few more goals.

"Going into double figures would be a terrific achievement for me.

"It's nice to be rewarded for the work that I've put in this season and great to know that people have appreciated what I've done."

FROM The Bolton News – April 7, 2002

FRENCH football dignitaries from Bolton’s twin town were so struck with the Reebok Stadium they were thinking about building a replica back home.

After a visit to Horwich the Second Division side, Le Mans Union Club 72, were deciding whether a copy of "Le Reebok" could replace their 12,000-seater ground.

A Wanderers spokesman said: "A group of dignitaries from Le Mans came to the stadium during a recent visit to town and seemed quite keen to emulate what we had done here. They liked the way a hotel, offices and shopping facilities had been incorporated into the ground's design.

"They said they would take their ideas back to France."

Le Mans' interest in the Reebok comes at a time when Wanderers are developing links with continental clubs.

The Evening News had revealed that Italian giants Juventus were planning to share training ideas with the Bolton team after Sam Allardyce flew to Turin for talks.

And Whites fans say Le Mans supporters would enjoy the same thrill at their version of the Reebok as Boltonians do while watching the Wanderers at home.

Kath Brown of the Wanderers supporters club said: "The Reebok is an excellent ground. It is designed in such a way that fans have a completely uncluttered view of the match.

"And it is absolutely up to date in terms of facilities. I can understand why the Le Mans side would be interested. I'm sure their supporters would enjoy watching games at a Reebok in France."

ON this day – April 7, 1945

NAT Lofthouse scored all Wanderers’ goal in a 4-1 victory against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road as the club took another step towards the final of the War Cup.

Lofthouse would also score in the return leg at Burnden as Bolton inched towards a North final meeting with Manchester United which would be played over two legs – one at Burnden and one at Maine Road.

ON this day – April 7, 1920

HAVING beaten Aston Villa 2-1 at Burnden Park, courtesy of two penalties from Frank Roberts, Wanderers travelled to Villa Park to inflict a 6-3 defeat on the Midlanders.

Roberts was in the thick of it again, scoring a hat-trick, including another goal from the penalty spot.