GEORGE Thomason might not look back on his league debut on Saturday with any great affection – but he should take some solace in the fact he joined good company.

Some of the best players ever to have pulled on a Bolton shirt ended up on the losing side in their first game for the club, going on to enjoy greater success down the line.

Thomason had a tough afternoon against Port Vale, subbed in the second half with Wanderers heading for an embarrassing 6-3 defeat.

But he is by no means alone – and a trawl through the archives showed that some of the club’s biggest names did not necessarily enjoy their Bolton debut.

KEVIN DAVIES

Picked up on a free transfer in the summer of 2003, the Sheffield-born striker would go on to become one of the most popular players in Wanderers’ recent history, making more than 400 appearances.

His first, however, was a 4-0 reverse against Manchester United, a game more synonymous with a debut for the relatively unknown Portuguese winger, Cristiano Ronaldo.

RAY PARRY

After a relatively brief spell in the reserves at Burnden Park the future England international played his first game for Bolton at Wolves on October 13, 1951. Nat Lofthouse scored the only goal in a 5-1 defeat.

In doing so, Parry became Bolton’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 267 days, a record that still stands to this day.

HARRY GOSLIN

Often regarded as Wanderers’ greatest captain, Goslin would etch his name into the Bolton history books for the rousing speech he gave at Burnden in April 1939, urging fans to sign up for the war effort alongside the players.

Goslin had made his Bolton debut in a 7-2 defeat against Liverpool on September 10, 1930.

He later lost his life in battle in Italy serving in the 53rd Field Regiment RA (Bolton Artillery) having fought alongside many of his Bolton team-mates.

FREDDIE HILL

Snapped up as a schoolboy playing football in Sheffield, Hill made his Bolton debut as a stand-in for Ray Parry aged just 18 in a 4-0 defeat against Aston Vila in April 1958.

He would go on to represent England – albeit on nowhere near as many occasions as his talent probably deserved – and played more than 400 times for Bolton, scoring 79 goals.

JOE SMITH

One of Wanderers’ most prolific marksmen, who still holds the record for scoring 38 goals in a single campaign.

Twice a winning captain at Wembley with Bolton, Smith’s debut came in April 1909 with a 2-0 defeat at West Brom.

He went on to play 492 times and score an incredible 277 goals. Only the great Lofthouse has more.

JOHN MCGINLAY

Almost everything the Super Scot touched during the White Hot years turned to goals – but his debut proved a rather ignominious affair with Bruce Rioch’s men beaten 1-0 by Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.

It got better, of course, and McGinlay went on to supply 118 goals over the next five years to take his place as one of the all-time greats.

FERNANDO HIERRO

Not even a global star like Fernano Hierro could guarantee himself a winning start at Bolton, as Sam Allardyce’s side were beaten 2-0 at Fulham in the Spaniard’s first game.

Hierro’s solitary season would finish with qualification to the UEFA Cup and his farewell in a home victory against Everton will live long in the memory.

SAM ALLARDYCE

Even Big Sam did not cap his debut with a win. Back in 1973, Jimmy Armfield called the young defender up for a game against Notts County, which would end in a 3-1 defeat.

Allardyce finished up with 231 appearances for Bolton in two spells, and would then return to lead the club to unimaginable heights in the Premier League as manager.

JAY JAY OKOCHA

The Nigerian superstar became one of the most skilled and popular performers of the Premier League era - but his debut against Fulham was a nightmare.

Injured in the first half, Okocha was subbed at the interval and watched as his team-mates were beaten 4-1 at Loftus Road.

Of course, Okocha recovered, and provided some of the highlights in what was a glorious time to be a supporter at the Reebok Stadium.