With Wanderers on course for their biggest post-Premier League home gate against Bradford City this weekend, we take a closer look at the previous top 10 and how the Whites fared.
From last-minute drama to play-off heartbreak, there have been plenty of highs and lows.
Wanderers 1-1 Cambridge, April 2023
More than 24,000 supporters poured through the turnstiles following Bolton’s big win against Plymouth Argyle in the Papa Johns Trophy final at Wembley.
The trophy was paraded ahead of kick-off, and everything was going to plan on the pitch after Declan John’s opener. The Welshman slotted home after George Johnston’s initial effort had been saved.
But the occasion was marred by Sam Smith’s equaliser in stoppage time, guiding home Jack Lankester’s free kick.
Wanderers 0-4 Wigan, August 2023
Later that year, there was another big crowd at the Toughsheet Stadium but it quickly turned into a nightmare against Wigan.
Charlie Wyke and Stephen Humphrys both bagged braces as Bolton’s miserable record against their local rivals continued.
The fact they had been beaten by the same scoreline a couple of years prior added further insult to injury.
Wanderers 0-2 Wigan, December 2024
There was another miserable afternoon against the Latics the following year. This time it was Dale Taylor and Thelo Aasgaard who did the damage either side of half time.
It was another blow for the Whites, who had been struggling to shift the ‘black cloud’ hanging over the club since the play-off final defeat against Oxford several months prior.
Ian Evatt’s time in charge would come to an end a month later, but Wanderers’ fortunes in the fixture would soon change under Steven Schumacher.
Wanderers 0-1 Stockport, March 2025
Bolton had put together a good run of results under the new head coach but their biggest test would come against the Hatters, who were battling for an automatic promotion spot.
It was a tight contest, always likely to be settled by one moment of quality, and it came from Isaac Olaofe. The pacy forward turned away from Eoin Toal before driving into the box and firing a ruthless finish past Nathan Baxter.
Schumacher’s side would miss out on the play-offs but that allowed the new regime to oversee a squad overhaul in the summer, with 14 new faces arriving.
Wanderers 2-2 Blackpool, May 2013
Over a decade ago, Wanderers had built real momentum in the final weeks of the campaign and Dougie Freedman’s side had a shot at securing a top six spot on the final day.
However, there was time for one more twist as the Seasiders raced into a 2-0 lead through Matt Phillips and Ludovic Sylvestre.
The Whites hit back through Chris Eagles and Chris Davies on the stroke of half time, but they couldn’t quite find a winner in stoppage time and ultimately missed out on goal difference behind Leicester.
Wanderers 5-2 Reading, April 2024
Supporters turned out in their numbers as Wanderers kept their promotion hopes alive with a five-star display against the Royals.
Aaron Collins was the hero on the day with a hat trick, including a stunning opener from 25 yards that set the tone for what was to come.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson also bagged a brace as Evatt’s side kept the pressure on Derby, who would ultimately clinch second spot.
Wanderers 0-0 Derby, December 2022
More than 25,000 turned out for some festive football, but in the end it wasn’t quite a cracker against the Rams.
Eoin Toal sliced a clearance onto James Trafford’s crossbar, while Dion Charles and Elias Kachunga went closest at the other end.
It turned out to be a costly result for the visitors, who ended up missing out on the play-offs by a single point.
Wanderers 4-1 Wigan, September 2025
Wanderers had ended a decade of hurt against the Latics several months prior, and more ghosts were laid to rest on home turf.
Marcus Forss was handed a first league start and certainly made his mark, bagging a brace either side of half time.
Thierry Gale had initially opened the scoring with a tidy finish and Mason Burstow also got in on the act to send the Bolton faithful into hysterics.
Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth, April 2024
The Whites delayed Pompey’s promotion celebrations but failed to secure all three points following a tight clash at the top of the table.
Abu Kamara got the opener inside the opening 10 minutes, but Wanderers showed resilience to hit back when Collins’ glanced home Nat Ogbeta’s cross.
Bodvarsson missed a big chance after the break as the points were shared, and Portsmouth would seal a return to the Championship several days later with victory against Barnsley.
Wanderers 0-0 Wrexham, August 2024
The current highest gate since dropping out of the Premier League came against Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham.
Bolton were aiming to put their Wembley heartbreak behind them but faced a tough test against their former boss, who had led the Welsh club to successive promotions with the help of their Hollywood backing.
It proved to be a tight clash and neither side found a breakthrough, with Arthur Okonkwo making a couple of impressive saves from Collins and Charles.
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