With #FixtureReleaseDay upon us, it is safe to say that Wanderers’ opening day clash is one fans look for at first glance.
And to celebrate the reveal of next season's fixture list and the Whites' first day clash away at Wycombe Wanderers, bwfc.co.uk takes a look back at the club’s best opening day games, casting an eye over a selection of memorable meetings in recent years.
Saturday 18 August 2001
Leicester City 0-5 Bolton Wanderers
(Nolan 15’ + 41’, Ricketts 33’, Frandsen 45’ + 83’)
Wanderers ran riot at Filbert Street on their return to the Premiership 16 seasons ago, racing into a four goal half time lead against the Foxes courtesy of a Kevin Nolan brace and fantastic efforts from Michael Ricketts and Per Frandsen, with the latter adding the dagger-like fifth seven minutes from the finish.
Wanderers finished 16th that season, avoiding relegation in their first campaign back in the top flight of English football after a four-year hiatus.
Saturday 14 August 2004
Bolton Wanderers 4-1 Charlton Athletic
(Okocha 11’ + 59’, Pedersen 30’ + 72’; Lisbie 67’)
On his birthday, midfield maestro Jay-Jay Okocha was the star man for the Whites as his brace, alongside two goals from Henrik Pedersen, helped Bolton record an emphatic opening day victory over Charlton Athletic with Kevin Lisbie’s reply for the Addicks merely scant consolation.
At the end of that season, Wanderers finished sixth as they qualified for their first European adventure in the club’s history.
That season, the Whites finished on the same points as that season’s UEFA European Champions League winners, Liverpool.
Saturday 13 August 2005
Aston Villa 2-2 Bolton Wanderers
(K Davies 6’, Campo 8’; Phillips 4’, Davis 9’)
Four goals in the opening nine minutes of Wanderers’ clash with Aston Villa ensured a frantic opener at Villa Park, with Kevin Davies and Ivan Campo cancelling out Kevin Phillips’ fourth minute strike before Steve Davis drew level for the home side.
The club finished eighth in the Premier League, with Greek winger Stelios finished as top goal scorer with 12 goals in all competitions.
Saturday 19 August 2006
Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
(K Davies 9’, Campo 13’)
Wanderers hit Spurs early on in their meeting at the then-named Reebok Stadium, with Kevin Davies notching Bolton’s first inside nine minutes before a long range effort from Spaniard Ivan Campo just four minutes later doubled the Trotters’ advantage and ultimately earning the Whites three points.
Nicolas Anelka top scored for Bolton that season, with the fancy Frenchman scoring 12 goals in all competitions for the Trotters.
Saturday 16 August 2008
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Stoke City
(Steinsson 34’, K Davies 41', Elmander 45’; Fuller 90’)
An euphoric display from Bolton at the Reebok Stadium secured victory on the opening day of the 2008/09 campaign as goals from Gretar Steinsson, Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander struck inside the first half, with Ricardo Fuller netting a consolation in second half injury time for the Potters.
Gary Megson was at the helm during this season, as Wanderers finished 13th in the Premier League.
Saturday 13 August 2011
Queens Park Rangers 0-4 Bolton Wanderers
(Cahill 45', Gabbidon og 67’, Klasnic 70’, Muamba 79’)
Bolton swept aside Premier League newbies Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road with a triumphant display in the capital as Gary Cahill, Ivan Klasnic and Fabrice Muamba found the back of the net alongside an own goal from Danny Gabbidon to down ten-man Rangers.
Saturday 6 August 2016
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Sheffield United
(Spearing 37')
A stunning Jay Spearing first half volley proved to be the difference maker against eventual champions Sheffield United on the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign, with Phil Parkinson’s men going on to finish as runners-up to the Blades come the conclusion of the season in late April.
Saturday 4 August 2018
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Bolton Wanderers
(Barnes 45'; Magennis 18', Wildschut 89')
Wanderers kicked off the 2018/19 campaign with a last-gasp victory over recently relegated West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns last August.
The deadlock was broken inside 18 minutes when Josh Magennis notched a debut effort from close range, and although Harvey Barnes levelled proceedings on the stroke of half time, Yanic Wildschut popped up at the death to snatch all three points for the Trotters.
