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Wanderers boast an impressive historical record against Port Vale – losing just twice in a century’s worth of fixtures between the two clubs.
Both of those defeats occurred in 1988 after Phil Neal’s side had returned to Division Three.
Mention Port Vale to most Bolton supporters and they will evoke images of the 1992/93 run-in, when Bruce Rioch’s Super Whites chased down second spot behind Stoke City by winning 15 of their last 18 games.
Back in 1971 Jimmy Armfield paid £4,000 to sign his former Blackpool colleague Peter Nicholson, who grabbed his first senior goal against Port Vale in a 1-1 draw at Vale Park.
The following season Nicholson helped rescue a point for the Whites – already crowned champions of Division Three - in a controversial game at Vale Park.
Brian Horton had given the home side a lead from the penalty spot before John Woodward’s diving header put them into a commanding position.
Nicholson pulled a goal back with 13 minutes left to play, sliding home Roy Greaves’ cross, but in the days before the fourth official showed how many minutes of injury time were left to play, the Vale fans were whipped into a fury as referee Keith Styles allowed the clock to tick on. John Byrom grabbed a 95th minute equaliser, triggering a pitch invasion.
Port Vale were fined by the Football League after 28 arrests were made and five fans were taken to hospital to treat their injuries.
The 1986/87 season is not one Wanderers fans will remember with affection, as the club lost a play-off with Aldershot to end up playing in the bottom division for the first time. A rare bright moment was supplied by Steve Elliott in September, as he helped Phil Neal’s side to a 3-0 win at Burnden. Tony Caldwell and Warren Joyce also netted.
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Both of those defeats occurred in 1988 after Phil Neal’s side had returned to Division Three.
Mention Port Vale to most Bolton supporters and they will evoke images of the 1992/93 run-in, when Bruce Rioch’s Super Whites chased down second spot behind Stoke City by winning 15 of their last 18 games.
Back in 1971 Jimmy Armfield paid £4,000 to sign his former Blackpool colleague Peter Nicholson, who grabbed his first senior goal against Port Vale in a 1-1 draw at Vale Park.
The following season Nicholson helped rescue a point for the Whites – already crowned champions of Division Three - in a controversial game at Vale Park.
Brian Horton had given the home side a lead from the penalty spot before John Woodward’s diving header put them into a commanding position.
Nicholson pulled a goal back with 13 minutes left to play, sliding home Roy Greaves’ cross, but in the days before the fourth official showed how many minutes of injury time were left to play, the Vale fans were whipped into a fury as referee Keith Styles allowed the clock to tick on. John Byrom grabbed a 95th minute equaliser, triggering a pitch invasion.
Port Vale were fined by the Football League after 28 arrests were made and five fans were taken to hospital to treat their injuries.
The 1986/87 season is not one Wanderers fans will remember with affection, as the club lost a play-off with Aldershot to end up playing in the bottom division for the first time. A rare bright moment was supplied by Steve Elliott in September, as he helped Phil Neal’s side to a 3-0 win at Burnden. Tony Caldwell and Warren Joyce also netted.
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