Bolton Wanderers Quiz
Test your Bolton Wanderers knowledge: Christ Church FC, the White Horse Final, Lofthouse in 1958, Okocha, Anelka and the 2007-08 UEFA Cup run.
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easy
In January 2008 Bolton sold Nicolas Anelka for a reported £15 million. Which club bought him?
WhyAnelka moved to Chelsea, where he won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008-09. -
easy
Owen Coyle became Bolton manager in January 2010. Which club did he leave to take the job?
WhyCoyle left Burnley, Bolton's local rivals, halfway through the 2009-10 season. That made his move especially controversial. -
medium
Bolton paid a club-record fee in 2008 to sign Swedish striker Johan Elmander. Which club did he join from?
WhyElmander cost a reported £8.2 million from Toulouse in June 2008. -
medium
Which former full-back was Bolton's manager when they won the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy?
WhyPhil Neal managed Bolton from 1985 to 1992. -
hard
Bolton won the 1926 FA Cup final 1-0 against a club that was also relegated from the First Division that season. Which club?
WhyDavid Jack's goal beat Manchester City, who went down that same season. -
medium
In 1928 Bolton sold forward David Jack for more than £10,000, the first five-figure transfer fee. Which club bought him?
WhyHerbert Chapman took David Jack to Highbury in 1928 for a world-record fee of more than £10,000. -
medium
Midfielder Jason McAteer left newly promoted Bolton early in the 1995-96 season. Which club signed him?
WhyMcAteer moved for around £4.5 million in September 1995. -
hard
Bolton won the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy final 4-1 at Wembley. Who were their opponents?
WhyBolton beat Torquay United 4-1 in the final of the lower-league cup in May 1989. -
medium
Bolton Wanderers were founded in 1874 under which original name?
WhyThe club began as Christ Church FC in 1874, linked to a local church, and took the name Bolton Wanderers in 1877. -
medium
Bolton won the EFL Trophy at Wembley in April 2023 by beating which club 4-0 in the final?
WhyIan Evatt's side beat Plymouth Argyle 4-0. Plymouth were promoted as League One champions later that season. -
hard
Bolton won the First Division title in 1996-97, their last season before moving to a new stadium, scoring 100 league goals. How many points did they finish with?
WhyUnder Colin Todd, Bolton finished on 98 points with 100 league goals. -
medium
In 1923, the first FA Cup final played at Wembley, Bolton won 2-0. Who were their opponents?
WhyThis was the 'White Horse Final', when a huge crowd spilled onto the pitch before Bolton beat West Ham United 2-0. -
medium
Bolton went down from the Premier League in 1997-98 on goal difference. Which club, level with them on points, stayed up instead?
WhyBoth clubs finished on 40 points. Bolton lost away on the final day, while Everton drew with Coventry and survived on goal difference. -
hard
Who managed Bolton when they won the Second Division title in 1977-78?
WhyIan Greaves led Bolton back to the top flight as Second Division champions in 1978. Jimmy Armfield had left Bolton for Leeds in 1974. -
medium
Ian Evatt became Bolton manager in 2020 and won promotion from League Two in his first season. Which club had he just left?
WhyEvatt had just won the National League with Barrow, which took them back into the Football League. -
medium
Bolton reached the 2011 FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley but lost 5-0. Who beat them?
WhyStoke City beat Bolton 5-0 in April 2011 and went on to lose the final 1-0. -
hard
Former Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro joined Bolton in 2004 after a season with which Qatari club?
WhyHierro played the 2003-04 season for Al-Rayyan, then spent one season at Bolton before he retired. -
medium
Nat Lofthouse scored both goals as Bolton won the 1958 FA Cup final 2-0. Who did they beat?
WhyBolton beat Manchester United, who were rebuilding after the Munich air disaster. One of Lofthouse's goals came after he barged goalkeeper Harry Gregg into the net. -
medium
Phil Parkinson led Bolton to promotion from League One in 2016-17, his first season. Which club had he managed just before?
WhyParkinson came from Bradford City, whom he had taken to the 2013 League Cup final. -
hard
France World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff joined Bolton in February 2002 from which German club?
WhyDjorkaeff moved from Kaiserslautern to Bolton halfway through the 2001-02 season and helped them stay in the Premier League. -
medium
Bolton won promotion to the Premier League in 2001 by beating which club 3-0 in the First Division play-off final?
WhySam Allardyce's Bolton beat Preston North End 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2001. -
medium
Jay-Jay Okocha joined Bolton on a free transfer in 2002. Which club did he join from?
WhyOkocha came from Paris Saint-Germain, having earlier played in Germany and Turkey. -
hard
Bolton's 2007-08 UEFA Cup run ended in the last 16. Which club knocked them out?
WhySporting drew 1-1 at the Reebok and won the second leg 1-0 in Lisbon. -
medium
Bolton reached the Premier League in 1995 by winning the First Division play-off final 4-3 after extra time, having been 2-0 down. Who did they beat?
WhyBolton came from 2-0 down at Wembley to beat Reading 4-3 after extra time. -
medium
Nicolas Anelka joined Bolton in 2006 for a then-club-record fee. Which club sold him?
WhyBolton signed Anelka from Fenerbahçe in August 2006 for about £8 million. -
hard
Bolton striker Kevin Davies won his only England cap at the age of 33 in October 2010. Who were England playing?
WhyDavies came on in a 0-0 Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley in October 2010. -
medium
Bolton reached the 2004 League Cup final but lost 2-1. Which club beat them?
WhyMiddlesbrough won 2-1 in Cardiff in February 2004. It was the first major trophy in their history. -
medium
Bolton reached the 1995 League Cup final while still a second-tier club and lost 2-1. Who beat them?
WhySteve McManaman scored both goals for the winners. Alan Thompson got Bolton's goal. -
hard
Bolton were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888. Which of these clubs was also a founder member?
WhyAccrington (not the later Accrington Stanley) was a founder member. Newton Heath joined in 1892, and the other two in 1893. -
easy
John McGinlay, Bolton's cult-hero striker of the 1990s, played international football for which country?
WhyMcGinlay won 13 caps for Scotland while he was a Bolton player. -
easy
Sam Allardyce left Bolton in April 2007. Which club appointed him manager the following month?
WhyAllardyce took over at Newcastle in May 2007 but was sacked in January 2008. He managed Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland later. -
hard
In the round of 32 of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, Bolton knocked out which Spanish club 1-0 on aggregate?
WhyEl-Hadji Diouf scored the only goal at the Reebok, and Bolton then held Atlético Madrid to 0-0 in Madrid. -
easy
Bolton lost the 1953 FA Cup final 4-3 in the game remembered as the 'Matthews Final'. Which club beat them?
WhyStanley Matthews inspired Blackpool's comeback, and Stan Mortensen scored a hat-trick. -
easy
After taking Bolton up to the Premier League in 1995, manager Bruce Rioch left to take charge of which club?
WhyRioch left in the summer of 1995, the year before Arsène Wenger arrived there. -
hard
Dougie Freedman replaced Owen Coyle as Bolton manager in October 2012. Which club did Freedman leave to take the job?
WhyFreedman left Crystal Palace, where he had been both a player and manager, to take over at Bolton. -
easy
Before moving to the Reebok Stadium in 1997, Bolton played their home games at which ground for more than a century?
WhyBurnden Park was Bolton's home from 1895 until 1997.
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About Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers began in 1874 as Christ Church FC, a club linked to a local church, and took the name Bolton Wanderers in 1877. In 1888 they were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League, alongside clubs such as Accrington. From 1895 until 1997 their home was Burnden Park, which they left that year for the Reebok Stadium. This quiz covers the whole of that story, from the church side of the 1870s to the club's recent run under Ian Evatt.
The FA Cup is central to Bolton's history. In 1923 they beat West Ham United 2-0 in the first FA Cup final played at Wembley. It became known as the 'White Horse Final' because a huge crowd spilled onto the pitch before the game. In 1926 a goal from David Jack beat Manchester City, who were relegated that same season. Two years later Bolton sold Jack to Herbert Chapman's Arsenal for more than £10,000, the first five-figure transfer fee. In 1953 Bolton were on the losing side of the 'Matthews Final', when Blackpool came back to win 4-3 and Stan Mortensen scored a hat-trick. In 1958 Nat Lofthouse scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Manchester United.
Bolton's modern era begins further down the leagues. Phil Neal's side beat Torquay United 4-1 at Wembley in the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy final. In 1995, while still a second-tier club, Bolton reached the League Cup final and lost 2-1 to Liverpool. The same year they came from 2-0 down to beat Reading 4-3 after extra time in the play-off final and win promotion to the Premier League. Bruce Rioch then left for Arsenal. Under Colin Todd, Bolton won the 1996-97 First Division title with 98 points and 100 league goals. The following season they were relegated on goal difference, finishing level on 40 points with Everton. Sam Allardyce's team went back up in 2001 by beating Preston North End 3-0 in Cardiff.
Under Allardyce, Bolton signed big international names. Jay-Jay Okocha came from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, France World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff joined from Kaiserslautern, and former Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro arrived after a season with Al-Rayyan. Nicolas Anelka came from Fenerbahçe for a club-record fee. Bolton lost the 2004 League Cup final to Middlesbrough. In the 2007-08 UEFA Cup they knocked out Atlético Madrid before Sporting CP ended the run in the last 16. Later questions cover Johan Elmander's club-record move from Toulouse, Kevin Davies' single England cap at the age of 33, and the 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the 2023 EFL Trophy final.
Bolton Wanderers quiz answers, explained
Every question from the quiz above. Play it first; each answer stays folded until you open it.
In January 2008 Bolton sold Nicolas Anelka for a reported £15 million. Which club bought him?
Show answer
Chelsea. Anelka moved to Chelsea, where he won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008-09.
Owen Coyle became Bolton manager in January 2010. Which club did he leave to take the job?
Show answer
Burnley. Coyle left Burnley, Bolton's local rivals, halfway through the 2009-10 season. That made his move especially controversial.
Bolton paid a club-record fee in 2008 to sign Swedish striker Johan Elmander. Which club did he join from?
Show answer
Toulouse. Elmander cost a reported £8.2 million from Toulouse in June 2008.
Which former full-back was Bolton's manager when they won the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy?
Show answer
Phil Neal. Phil Neal managed Bolton from 1985 to 1992.
Bolton won the 1926 FA Cup final 1-0 against a club that was also relegated from the First Division that season. Which club?
Show answer
Manchester City. David Jack's goal beat Manchester City, who went down that same season.
In 1928 Bolton sold forward David Jack for more than £10,000, the first five-figure transfer fee. Which club bought him?
Show answer
Arsenal. Herbert Chapman took David Jack to Highbury in 1928 for a world-record fee of more than £10,000.
Midfielder Jason McAteer left newly promoted Bolton early in the 1995-96 season. Which club signed him?
Show answer
Liverpool. McAteer moved for around £4.5 million in September 1995.
Bolton won the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy final 4-1 at Wembley. Who were their opponents?
Show answer
Torquay United. Bolton beat Torquay United 4-1 in the final of the lower-league cup in May 1989.
Bolton Wanderers were founded in 1874 under which original name?
Show answer
Christ Church FC. The club began as Christ Church FC in 1874, linked to a local church, and took the name Bolton Wanderers in 1877.
Bolton won the EFL Trophy at Wembley in April 2023 by beating which club 4-0 in the final?
Show answer
Plymouth Argyle. Ian Evatt's side beat Plymouth Argyle 4-0. Plymouth were promoted as League One champions later that season.
Bolton won the First Division title in 1996-97, their last season before moving to a new stadium, scoring 100 league goals. How many points did they finish with?
Show answer
98. Under Colin Todd, Bolton finished on 98 points with 100 league goals.
In 1923, the first FA Cup final played at Wembley, Bolton won 2-0. Who were their opponents?
Show answer
West Ham United. This was the 'White Horse Final', when a huge crowd spilled onto the pitch before Bolton beat West Ham United 2-0.
Bolton went down from the Premier League in 1997-98 on goal difference. Which club, level with them on points, stayed up instead?
Show answer
Everton. Both clubs finished on 40 points. Bolton lost away on the final day, while Everton drew with Coventry and survived on goal difference.
Who managed Bolton when they won the Second Division title in 1977-78?
Show answer
Ian Greaves. Ian Greaves led Bolton back to the top flight as Second Division champions in 1978. Jimmy Armfield had left Bolton for Leeds in 1974.
Ian Evatt became Bolton manager in 2020 and won promotion from League Two in his first season. Which club had he just left?
Show answer
Barrow. Evatt had just won the National League with Barrow, which took them back into the Football League.
Bolton reached the 2011 FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley but lost 5-0. Who beat them?
Show answer
Stoke City. Stoke City beat Bolton 5-0 in April 2011 and went on to lose the final 1-0.
Former Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro joined Bolton in 2004 after a season with which Qatari club?
Show answer
Al-Rayyan. Hierro played the 2003-04 season for Al-Rayyan, then spent one season at Bolton before he retired.
Nat Lofthouse scored both goals as Bolton won the 1958 FA Cup final 2-0. Who did they beat?
Show answer
Manchester United. Bolton beat Manchester United, who were rebuilding after the Munich air disaster. One of Lofthouse's goals came after he barged goalkeeper Harry Gregg into the net.
Phil Parkinson led Bolton to promotion from League One in 2016-17, his first season. Which club had he managed just before?
Show answer
Bradford City. Parkinson came from Bradford City, whom he had taken to the 2013 League Cup final.
France World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff joined Bolton in February 2002 from which German club?
Show answer
Kaiserslautern. Djorkaeff moved from Kaiserslautern to Bolton halfway through the 2001-02 season and helped them stay in the Premier League.
Bolton won promotion to the Premier League in 2001 by beating which club 3-0 in the First Division play-off final?
Show answer
Preston North End. Sam Allardyce's Bolton beat Preston North End 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2001.
Jay-Jay Okocha joined Bolton on a free transfer in 2002. Which club did he join from?
Show answer
Paris Saint-Germain. Okocha came from Paris Saint-Germain, having earlier played in Germany and Turkey.
Bolton's 2007-08 UEFA Cup run ended in the last 16. Which club knocked them out?
Show answer
Sporting CP. Sporting drew 1-1 at the Reebok and won the second leg 1-0 in Lisbon.
Bolton reached the Premier League in 1995 by winning the First Division play-off final 4-3 after extra time, having been 2-0 down. Who did they beat?
Show answer
Reading. Bolton came from 2-0 down at Wembley to beat Reading 4-3 after extra time.
Nicolas Anelka joined Bolton in 2006 for a then-club-record fee. Which club sold him?
Show answer
Fenerbahçe. Bolton signed Anelka from Fenerbahçe in August 2006 for about £8 million.
Bolton striker Kevin Davies won his only England cap at the age of 33 in October 2010. Who were England playing?
Show answer
Montenegro. Davies came on in a 0-0 Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley in October 2010.
Bolton reached the 2004 League Cup final but lost 2-1. Which club beat them?
Show answer
Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough won 2-1 in Cardiff in February 2004. It was the first major trophy in their history.
Bolton reached the 1995 League Cup final while still a second-tier club and lost 2-1. Who beat them?
Show answer
Liverpool. Steve McManaman scored both goals for the winners. Alan Thompson got Bolton's goal.
Bolton were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888. Which of these clubs was also a founder member?
Show answer
Accrington. Accrington (not the later Accrington Stanley) was a founder member. Newton Heath joined in 1892, and the other two in 1893.
John McGinlay, Bolton's cult-hero striker of the 1990s, played international football for which country?
Show answer
Scotland. McGinlay won 13 caps for Scotland while he was a Bolton player.
Sam Allardyce left Bolton in April 2007. Which club appointed him manager the following month?
Show answer
Newcastle United. Allardyce took over at Newcastle in May 2007 but was sacked in January 2008. He managed Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland later.
In the round of 32 of the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, Bolton knocked out which Spanish club 1-0 on aggregate?
Show answer
Atlético Madrid. El-Hadji Diouf scored the only goal at the Reebok, and Bolton then held Atlético Madrid to 0-0 in Madrid.
Bolton lost the 1953 FA Cup final 4-3 in the game remembered as the 'Matthews Final'. Which club beat them?
Show answer
Blackpool. Stanley Matthews inspired Blackpool's comeback, and Stan Mortensen scored a hat-trick.
After taking Bolton up to the Premier League in 1995, manager Bruce Rioch left to take charge of which club?
Show answer
Arsenal. Rioch left in the summer of 1995, the year before Arsène Wenger arrived there.
Dougie Freedman replaced Owen Coyle as Bolton manager in October 2012. Which club did Freedman leave to take the job?
Show answer
Crystal Palace. Freedman left Crystal Palace, where he had been both a player and manager, to take over at Bolton.
Before moving to the Reebok Stadium in 1997, Bolton played their home games at which ground for more than a century?
Show answer
Burnden Park. Burnden Park was Bolton's home from 1895 until 1997.
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