Former Premier League stadium that fell into disrepair is now an Asda with poignant nod to disaster

THIS ground that graced the Premier League is now more supermarket than transfer market.

Bolton spent 102 years at Burnden Park, and during that time they won four FA Cups as well as the Charity Shield until they moved in 1997 – two years before it was demolished.

The historic ground, that at one time could fit a maximum of 70,000 spectators, was turned into an Asda in 2005 with photos of players and the stadium still visible above checkouts.

This used to be a place that represented triumph and pride for Bolton.

Burnden Park hosted the FA Cup final replay in 1901 when Tottenham defeated Sheffield United 3-1 – and was even the inspiration behind L.S Lowry’s £8million Going To The Match painting.

It also held various national cycling championships as well as brass band contests.

But the stadium was also the site of a major tragedy in 1946 when 33 Bolton fans were crushed to death and 400 others were injured during an FA Cup quarter-final match against Stoke.

The Railway End was simply a bank of earth with some stones for steps, and early in the game two barriers collapsed and the crowd fell forward, crushing those underneath.

People spilled on the pitch and the game was halted twice with the referee told by the police there had been a fatality.

The players then left the pitch while casualties were taken from the Railway End terrace.

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But those who had died were placed along the touchline and covered in coats.

Shockingly, less than half an hour later, the game restarted with the bodies still lying beside the pitch, separated from the players by a new sawdust touchline.

A plaque paying tribute to the people who lost their lives in the fourth worst disaster in British football history – and worst at the time – was unveiled in 1992 by club legend Nat Lofthouse.

This plaque can still be found inside the Asda.

Tragedy nearly hit Burnden Park again in May 1998 when a fire swept through the ground.

Twelve years earlier, a section of the ground was sold off and a Normid superstore was built, covering half of one end in a bizarre look.

Bolton’s last game at Burnden Park took place in April 1997 against Charlton with the Trotters winning 4-1 win, with icon John McGinlay scoring their final-ever goal at the ground.

The club moved in 1997 to Reebok Stadium, which is now called the University of Bolton Stadium and will next season be known as the Toughsheet.

But the penalty spot was dug up from Burnden Park and planted at the new ground on Burnden Way while much of the stadium – including signs and even toilets as memorabilia – was auctioned off.

The ground was left derelict and abandoned for two years while travellers lived in the car park before the demolition took place in 1999.