2023/24 Opponents In Focus: Bolton Wanderers – Blog

The 24 teams that will take part in Sky Bet League One in the 2023/24 season were confirmed at the end of May.

Here, dcfc.co.uk will take a look at each one in focus ahead of the new campaign getting underway at the start of August.

In this instalment, one of last year’s Sky Bet League One play-off teams in the form of Bolton Wanderers.

Fact file

Established: 1874

Nickname: The Trotters

Home: University of Bolton Stadium (28,723 capacity)

Manager: Ian Evatt

2022/23 finish: 5th (Sky Bet League One)

Club History

Founded in 1874 as ‘Christ Church FC,’ the club changed its name to what it’s known as now, Bolton Wanderers, in 1877.

In 1884, their home strip was white with red spots leading them to their original nickname ‘the Spots.’

Like Derby, the Trotters were one of the 12 founding members of the Football League.

They have reached the FA Cup Final six times in their history, winning four of those six titles.

Bolton have spent more time in England’s top-flight than out of it but haven’t been a part of it since the 2011/12 season.

Played For Both

Tyrone Mears

After initially joining the Rams on loan from West Ham United in 2007, Mears went on to sign permanently later in that same year.

The defender made 48 appearances for Derby and scored two goals before leaving in 2009.

After a spell at Burnley, Mears signed for the Trotters but his spell in Lancashire was marred by injury and he only went on to make 32 appearance across a three-year spell.

Nicky Hunt

Hunt’s professional footballing life began with Bolton in 2001 and he spent nearly 10 years with the Trotters, making more appearances for the club than any other in his career.

During his time under contract at Bolton, the right-back joined the Rams on loan in 2010. Initially on a short-term deal, it was extended to the end of the 2009/10 campaign.

Francis Lee

Legendary striker Francis Lee shared the majority of his successful career with Bolton and Manchester City but he did of course leave an equally lasting impression during a short spell with the Rams.

He started his career and spent eight years with the Trotters between 1959 and 1967 before finishing his career with the Rams.

Lee helped Derby County win the 1974/75 First Division title as well as the 1975 FA Charity Shield.

2022/23 Season

Whilst the 2022/23 season ended in disappointment for Bolton, it still was one that saw plenty of success.

A fifth placed finish saw them cement a play-off place but a Semi-Final defeat to Barnsley ultimately ensured that it would be another season in the third tier for the Trotters. They drew the First Leg 1-1 on home turf, before going down 1-0 in the Second Leg at Oakwell.

They did however get to lift a piece of silverware at Wembley Stadium in the April as a memorable 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle landed them the 2022/23 Papa Johns Trophy.

Record Against The Rams

The Rams have an impressive record against Bolton Wanderers, especially in recent times.

They’ve only tasted defeat once in the last 13 games to the Trotters – a 1-0 defeat in the Championship away from home back in 2018.

Last season Derby were able to take four points from Bolton after a 0-0 draw away from home on 27th December was backed up by a 2-1 victory at Pride Park Stadium just under a month later.

Historically Derby have won 66 times to Bolton’s 46 in all competitions whilst the spoils have been shared on 23 occasions.