The deadline for purchasing tickets for the upcoming 25 Year Anniversary Dinner is 5pm, Friday 23rd September. Please email sales@bwfc.co.uk or ring Amanda / Phoebe on 01204 673761 to secure your seat.
After leaving the historic venue of Burnden Park, Wanderers moved into the Reebok Stadium for a first Premier League fixture on 1 September, 1997.
To mark a quarter of a century of football at our iconic ground, we are proud to be hosting a special anniversary dinner to mark the milestone.
The three-course dinner in the Premier Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium will take place on Friday, 30 September 2022.
And it will feature a star-studded line-up of management and former players who ushered in a new era for the Whites.
Fittingly, Wanderers had just been promoted as Division One champions under the legendary figure of Colin Todd to start only their second season as a Premier League club.
Colin will be a special guest at the dinner where he will be accompanied by members of his squad that played in the opening fixture and lit up the stadium in its formative years.
Already confirmed attendees for the night include Alan Thompson – who scored the first goal at the new ground – Gerry Taggart, Gudni Bergsson, Michael Johansen, Scott Taylor, David Lee, Keith Branagan, Simon Coleman, Mixu Paatelainen, Nathan Blake, Nicky Spooner, Scott Green and John McGinlay.
McGinlay’s 30 goals in 1996/97 helped propel Wanderers back to the top flight to make it a fitting baptism for ‘The Reebok’.
And the prolific striker – and current club ambassador – is looking forward to another famous night at the anniversary dinner.
“It’s going to be a special occasion and a great way to celebrate such a key moment in the club’s history,” said John.
“Having the old team back together in this superb stadium, which has seen so many memorable occasions, will be fantastic.
“We want to share that with the fans and look forward to seeing as many as possible on the night.”
As well as an outstanding cast list of former players, former chairman Gordon Hargreaves will also return along with long-serving secretary Des McBain.
The evening will be compered by current stadium announcer Phil Heys, with a Q and A spot and big-screen highlights of the time.
And as well as a superb three-course meal, musical entertainment will be provided by Elvis Presley impersonator in the shape of former Wanderers’ reserve-team player Marcus Hallows.
The evening kicks off with a 7pm arrival with tickets priced at £75 per person or £750 per table of 10.
To book your place at one of the nights of the year, please contact sales@bwfc.co.uk or ring Amanda / Phoebe on 01204 673761.
The players and staff from that ground-breaking Wanderers’ team will then also be guests of the club and welcomed onto the pitch at half-time during the Whites’ home game against Lincoln City the following day – Saturday, 1 October.