MONDAY’S front page of the Bolton Evening News proudly announced the arrival of a “Burnden Bulge” after 42,680 packed in for a festive clash with Sunderland.

At the final whistle on Saturday, December 27, 1975, all the talk had been about a bulging net – particularly after a thunderous header from Sam Allardyce which is still talked about to this day.

Thousands of supporters were still outside the ground at 3pm as the surge of supporters caught the club by surprise.

“We were certainly not expecting such a big gate,” reflected club secretary Edward Rothwell. “I think under the circumstances our gatemen and checkers did a tremendous job.”

Part of the problem, Rothwell noted, was the number of fans trying to pay with five and 10-pound notes, causing a lack of change at the turnstiles.

Bolton had registered their biggest league gate since September 5, 1962, when 44,859 turned out to see the Whites beat Manchester United 3-0 with goals from Freddie Hill, Wyn Davies and Brian Pilkington.

And the fans were treated to a sterling comeback as Ian Greaves’s side came back from a goal down at half time to win 2-1.

Tony Dunne had unfortunately headed Sunderland in front, aided by a push in the back from Bobby Kerr. But Sunderland had enjoyed the better of the first half, with Tommy Finney having a goal disallowed for offside and Mel Holden crashing a header against Barry Siddall’s crossbar.

Allardyce’s bullet-like header from Peter Thompson’s corner levelled matters in the 51st minute and with 20 minutes left on the clock, it was the maestro John Byrom who headed Thompson’s perfect cross into the net from close range to put Bolton ahead.

Greaves was delighted, not only with the score-line and the performance, but with the way the public had turned out in force.

“After coming from a club where people just wouldn’t turn out to see their team play it gave me great pleasure to see so many at the game,” he said.

“The gate was beyond my wildest dreams and it gives me an enormous amount of pleasure and heart that people will turn up in those numbers.

“Our regulars know how we have been playing and I hope the others will come to see us again.

“The side showed tremendous character to come back from a goal down and not playing so well early on.

“But I bow to the fans, I got a bit cynical about the gates at one time but I have changed after coming to Bolton. They were incredible.”

Wanderers Siddall; Ritson, Dunne, Greaves, Paul Jones, Allardyce, Byrom, Whatmore, Garry Jones, Reid, Thompson. Sub: Smith.

Sunderland Montgomery; Malone, Bolton, Towers, Clarke, Ashurst, Kerr, Finney, Holden, Robson, Henderson. Sub: Rowell.

Referee: K W Ridden (Shrewsbury).

Attendance: 42,680.