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WANDERERS’ pre-season is almost upon us, providing fans with a modicum of football to feed their craving over the summer.
It might be ‘all about fitness’ with results tossed aside like a used water bottle on the touchline but it also gives us the first indications of how Phil Parkinson’s side will line-up in the Championship, and even how they will fare.
This year there are no long-haul tours for the Whites, who will spend a week on the east coast of Scotland playing games against Arbroath and Dundee. Other friendlies are local, competitive and charming – in the way only a Tuesday night trip to Stockport can be.
It all kicks-off at Parkinson’s home town of Chorley on July 8, finishing with Premier League power-houses Stoke City on the final weekend before the big kick off.
Here is a guide to everything you need to know about Wanderers’ pre-season opponents.
CHORLEY
Date: July 8, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Victory Park
Standard of opposition: Chorley have been on the cusp of promotion for some time and were beaten in the Northern Premier League play-off final by Halifax Town last season. No pushovers, as Wanderers XIs have found out in the past.
Names we’ll know: The Chorley team has plenty of ex-Wanderers, including Adam Blakeman, Sam Ashton and Ritchie Branagan – son of Keith – not to mention the manager, ex-Premier League striker, Matt Jansen.
Stephen Jordan, the former Manchester City full-back, is also on the books.
It’s a fact: Chorley have appeared in the FA Cup first round proper nine times and famously beat Wolves 3-0 in a second replay played at Burnden Park in 1986/87.
ARBROATH
Date: July 11, 7.30pm kick-off
Venue: Gayfield Park
Standard of opposition: The Red Lichties – a name which dervies from the beacons which used to shine at the nearby lighthouses – gained promotion from the second division last season, so should be on somewhat of a high.
Dick Campbell’s side earned the title on a thrilling last day despite dropping points at Stirling Albion.
Names we’ll know: Midfielder Bryan Hodge started his career at Blackburn Rovers and had loan spells with Mansfield and Millwall.
It’s a fact: No other football stadium in Europe is situated closer to the sea. At high tide, the water extends about five metres from the side of the walls.
Arbroath was also the scene of the biggest victory in world football, a 36-0 win over Aberdeen Bon Accord in which John Petrie helped himself to 13 goals – which also stood as a world record for over a century.
DUNDEE
Date: July 14, 7pm kick-off
Venue: Dens Park
Standard of opposition: Scottish Premier, so a step up in class. Dundee managed to avoid relegation by a couple of points last season and have been in the top flight since 2014.
Names we’ll know: Anyone who has watched Sky Sports in the last few years will know Neil McCann, who left his broadcasting position to take over as manager of the Dees in June.
Tom Hateley, son of ex-QPR and England striker Mark, came close to signing for Wanderers a couple of summer ago under Neil Lennon.
It’s a fact: Dens Park is almost 200 yards away from Tannadice, which is home to Dundee United, making it the shortest proximity of any two professional clubs in Europe. On Google Maps, the walking journey is estimated at 45 seconds.
AFC FYLDE
Date: July 18, 7.45pm kick-off
Venue: Mill Farm
Standard of opposition: AFC Fylde were playing West Lancs League football under the name of Kirkham and Wesham in 2007 but last season gained promotion to the Conference for their first time in their history.
Names we’ll know: Former Wanderers keeper Jay Lynch has just signed for Fylde from Salford City.
It’s a fact: Fylde boss Dave Challinor once held the world record for the longest throw in football at 46.34 metres.
FLEETWOOD TOWN
Date: July 22, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Highbury
Standard of opposition: Wanderers know Fleetwood well from League One last season. Despite beating Uwe Rosler’s side home and away, it is likely to be another tough game.
Names we’ll know: Fleetwood’s big summer signing thus far has been Conor McAleny from Everton. Eagle-eyed Wanderers fans may spot Gretar Steinsson – the club’s technical director - or Jimmy Barrow, the new head of sports science.
It’s a fact: Fleetwood play the theme tune to Captain Pugwash after every home goal. Even if they are 4-2 down at the time.
STOCKPORT COUNTY
Date: July 25, 7.45pm kick-off
Venue: Edgeley Park
Standard of opposition: It has been seven years since County were relegated from the Football League but they still pull in big crowds and missed out narrowly on the Conference North play-offs last season.
Names we’ll know: County’s goalkeeping coach Jordan Felgate is the son of former Burnden Park favourite David Felgate.
It’s a fact: County briefly played in an Argentina-style kit at the end of the seventies but abandoned it after the outbreak of war in the Falklands.
STOKE CITY
Date: July 29, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Macron Stadium
Standard of opposition: It has been five years since Wanderers last locked horns with Stoke City, on a fateful day at the Britannia Stadium which consigned Owen Coyle team to relegation. The Potters have reinvented themselves under Mark Hughes but still have Peter Crouch.
Names we’ll know: Ryan Shawcross, Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan… All Stoke survivors from ‘that’ game at Wembley that we don’t really want to mention. There are plenty of other recognisable names if you still watch Match of the Day.
It’s a fact: Bookmakers Paddy Power once paid out on Stoke City getting relegated after defeat to Wanderers on the opening day of the 2008/09 campaign.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE REST?
The development squad/Wanderers XI will play the following friendlies...
Wednesday 5 July v West Didsbury & Chorlton (A), Brookburn Road, 7pm
Wednesday 19 July v Atherton Collieries (A), Alder House, 7.45pm
Friday 28 July v FC United (A), Broadhurst Park, 7.45pm
Tuesday 1 August v Marine (A), Marine Travel Arena, 7.30pm
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15374426.Road_Trip__The_definitive_guide_to_Bolton_Wanderers__pre_season_2017_18/?ref=mrb&lp=8
It might be ‘all about fitness’ with results tossed aside like a used water bottle on the touchline but it also gives us the first indications of how Phil Parkinson’s side will line-up in the Championship, and even how they will fare.
This year there are no long-haul tours for the Whites, who will spend a week on the east coast of Scotland playing games against Arbroath and Dundee. Other friendlies are local, competitive and charming – in the way only a Tuesday night trip to Stockport can be.
It all kicks-off at Parkinson’s home town of Chorley on July 8, finishing with Premier League power-houses Stoke City on the final weekend before the big kick off.
Here is a guide to everything you need to know about Wanderers’ pre-season opponents.
CHORLEY
Date: July 8, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Victory Park
Standard of opposition: Chorley have been on the cusp of promotion for some time and were beaten in the Northern Premier League play-off final by Halifax Town last season. No pushovers, as Wanderers XIs have found out in the past.
Names we’ll know: The Chorley team has plenty of ex-Wanderers, including Adam Blakeman, Sam Ashton and Ritchie Branagan – son of Keith – not to mention the manager, ex-Premier League striker, Matt Jansen.
Stephen Jordan, the former Manchester City full-back, is also on the books.
It’s a fact: Chorley have appeared in the FA Cup first round proper nine times and famously beat Wolves 3-0 in a second replay played at Burnden Park in 1986/87.
ARBROATH
Date: July 11, 7.30pm kick-off
Venue: Gayfield Park
Standard of opposition: The Red Lichties – a name which dervies from the beacons which used to shine at the nearby lighthouses – gained promotion from the second division last season, so should be on somewhat of a high.
Dick Campbell’s side earned the title on a thrilling last day despite dropping points at Stirling Albion.
Names we’ll know: Midfielder Bryan Hodge started his career at Blackburn Rovers and had loan spells with Mansfield and Millwall.
It’s a fact: No other football stadium in Europe is situated closer to the sea. At high tide, the water extends about five metres from the side of the walls.
Arbroath was also the scene of the biggest victory in world football, a 36-0 win over Aberdeen Bon Accord in which John Petrie helped himself to 13 goals – which also stood as a world record for over a century.
DUNDEE
Date: July 14, 7pm kick-off
Venue: Dens Park
Standard of opposition: Scottish Premier, so a step up in class. Dundee managed to avoid relegation by a couple of points last season and have been in the top flight since 2014.
Names we’ll know: Anyone who has watched Sky Sports in the last few years will know Neil McCann, who left his broadcasting position to take over as manager of the Dees in June.
Tom Hateley, son of ex-QPR and England striker Mark, came close to signing for Wanderers a couple of summer ago under Neil Lennon.
It’s a fact: Dens Park is almost 200 yards away from Tannadice, which is home to Dundee United, making it the shortest proximity of any two professional clubs in Europe. On Google Maps, the walking journey is estimated at 45 seconds.
AFC FYLDE
Date: July 18, 7.45pm kick-off
Venue: Mill Farm
Standard of opposition: AFC Fylde were playing West Lancs League football under the name of Kirkham and Wesham in 2007 but last season gained promotion to the Conference for their first time in their history.
Names we’ll know: Former Wanderers keeper Jay Lynch has just signed for Fylde from Salford City.
It’s a fact: Fylde boss Dave Challinor once held the world record for the longest throw in football at 46.34 metres.
FLEETWOOD TOWN
Date: July 22, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Highbury
Standard of opposition: Wanderers know Fleetwood well from League One last season. Despite beating Uwe Rosler’s side home and away, it is likely to be another tough game.
Names we’ll know: Fleetwood’s big summer signing thus far has been Conor McAleny from Everton. Eagle-eyed Wanderers fans may spot Gretar Steinsson – the club’s technical director - or Jimmy Barrow, the new head of sports science.
It’s a fact: Fleetwood play the theme tune to Captain Pugwash after every home goal. Even if they are 4-2 down at the time.
STOCKPORT COUNTY
Date: July 25, 7.45pm kick-off
Venue: Edgeley Park
Standard of opposition: It has been seven years since County were relegated from the Football League but they still pull in big crowds and missed out narrowly on the Conference North play-offs last season.
Names we’ll know: County’s goalkeeping coach Jordan Felgate is the son of former Burnden Park favourite David Felgate.
It’s a fact: County briefly played in an Argentina-style kit at the end of the seventies but abandoned it after the outbreak of war in the Falklands.
STOKE CITY
Date: July 29, 3pm kick-off
Venue: Macron Stadium
Standard of opposition: It has been five years since Wanderers last locked horns with Stoke City, on a fateful day at the Britannia Stadium which consigned Owen Coyle team to relegation. The Potters have reinvented themselves under Mark Hughes but still have Peter Crouch.
Names we’ll know: Ryan Shawcross, Jonathan Walters, Glenn Whelan… All Stoke survivors from ‘that’ game at Wembley that we don’t really want to mention. There are plenty of other recognisable names if you still watch Match of the Day.
It’s a fact: Bookmakers Paddy Power once paid out on Stoke City getting relegated after defeat to Wanderers on the opening day of the 2008/09 campaign.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE REST?
The development squad/Wanderers XI will play the following friendlies...
Wednesday 5 July v West Didsbury & Chorlton (A), Brookburn Road, 7pm
Wednesday 19 July v Atherton Collieries (A), Alder House, 7.45pm
Friday 28 July v FC United (A), Broadhurst Park, 7.45pm
Tuesday 1 August v Marine (A), Marine Travel Arena, 7.30pm
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/15374426.Road_Trip__The_definitive_guide_to_Bolton_Wanderers__pre_season_2017_18/?ref=mrb&lp=8