THE country was on the verge of another lockdown, fans unable to congregate in stadia, and Ian Evatt’s first walk out of the tunnel at the University of Bolton Stadium done with little fanfare.

So much has changed at Bolton Wanderers in the last two years, even the manager seemed surprised to learn the second anniversary of his first competitive fixture had passed this week.

But for captain, Ricardo Santos, and vice-skipper Gethin Jones, not a single player remains of the 18 named on Evatt’s first team sheet against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup on September 5, 2020.

“I’m not even sure I could name the team now if I tried,” admitted the Bolton boss. For the record, the team that day was: Crellin; Jones, Taft, Baptiste, Santos, Gordon; Comley, Sarcevic, White; Delfouneso, Doyle. With Alexander, Delaney, Hickman, Crawford, Tutte, Amoateng and Miller on the bench.

Wanderers were facing only the second season as a fourth-tier club in their history, in the midst of a global pandemic, with an untested manager and a squad assembled in the most extraordinary circumstances – salary caps and all.

In the build up to tomorrow’s game at Cheltenham, played with the Whites looking to break into the top six in League One, Evatt had the luxury of a full sided 11 v 11 game on the training ground at Lostock, with any one of the 22 players able to turn out at the weekend with a sound knowledge of Evatt’s style of play.

It has not been all plain sailing for Bolton boss, who incredibly now holds the 20th longest reign of any of his peers, but the Evatt-lution of Wanderers during his time in the dugout is hard to deny.

“I think I was slightly more handsome two years ago than I am now. That’s what football does to you, it ages you,” smirked the manager.

“We have evolved, no question. And it probably shows what sort of transient business football can be, managers come and go, players come and go, but the most important thing is that the club progresses.

“It has been an incredible two years for many reasons. We have come through a lot together, highs and lows, and that is what the game can be.

“Obviously you remember those times because it is part of what we are and who we are but I am pleased that we are moving in a good direction.”

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Evatt has given 65 different players a place on his team-sheet in all competitions over the past two years – with Ricardo Santos set to make his 100th appearance at Whaddon Road.

But while many players have come and gone at the UniBol, Evatt has been able to survive the tough spells with the unequivocal backing of Football Ventures and chairman, Sharon Brittan.

“Football today is crazy,” he said. “I remember reading in the papers a week ago that Thomas Tuchel was negotiating a new contract at Chelsea and yet now I hear he has lost his job. That is how quickly things can change.

“I don’t take anything for granted but I am really blessed that Sharon and the board believe in me and we have ridden out storms together. We have done that a few times since I have been here and had continuous progressing, which is what every club wants. We are still on that upwards curve but we want to do more.”

Former Burnley winger Wade Elliott is at the very start of his managerial career in the EFL at Cheltenham, looking to keep the Robins in League One for a second successive season.

“Wade was obviously part of the coaching team with Michael Duff, and the club has over-achieved. Last season was the highest league finish in their history and they were promoted with us the season before. It has been real success.

“Following that is really difficult and it is a big job for Wade there, a tough one. The budget is pretty tight there, you have to be really smart and strategic with your recruitment.

“But you only get one chance at it and Wade has taken the job on looking to make his mark, so after Saturday I really do wish him all the best.”

Evatt feels Cheltenham have changed slightly under Elliott to a less direct approach.

“There’s a lot of similarities,” he said. “But I don’t think they’re as physical as they were under Michael. I think they used to be immensely strong from set plays and that long throw was a serious weapon and they’ve not got that anymore, but they’ve still got some good football players and with time and space, they can hurt you.

“It’s going to be a tough and challenging game but if we can concentrate on our own performance and reproduce what we did on Saturday then we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”