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ON THIS DAY: Parky's wrecked plans, Basham's dream day & Todd's reinforcements

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karlypants

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Nat Lofthouse
Nat Lofthouse

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1999: COLIN Todd drafted in former Blackburn and Newcastle coach Derek Fazackerly to boost Wanderers' promotion hopes.

Fazackerly, who was working on the England coaching staff with Kevin Keegan, joined the Reebok backroom team until the end of the season.

"And hopefully that means right the way through to the play-off final," Todd said after seeing his team move back up to fifth in the table with a 1-0 victory over Bristol City.

Fazackerly, who lost his job at Blackburn within days of Brian Kidd's arrival at Ewood Park the previous December, took his place on the touchline immediately while Todd watched the game from the directors' box. Earlier in the day the new coach, who worked alongside chief coach Phil Brown, had been introduced to the players and took a 45-minute training session.

"Hopefully Derek can help us maintain our challenge," the manager explained. "We had reached the point where I had to do something different. I couldn't change the playing personnel so I decided to add a new face, a new voice and, of course, an experienced coach to the backroom team.

"Hopefully it will bring the right sort of response. I spoke to Kevin (Keegan) on Sunday and it was fine with him."

Eidur Gudjohnsen had scored the goal which proved decisive against Bristol City and the confident young Icelander felt he could soon be running out at Wembley in the play-offs.

"To be honest, I think I'll get more goals between now until the end of the season," the 20-year-old striker predicted after sending Bolton fifth in the table.

"At least I hope I do. I wouldn't say I am at my best yet but, with starting games and completing 90 minutes every week, I will get there soon.

"I've only ever been to Wembley in my dreams. I'd rather be playing in the World Cup Final but, being realistic, this is the nearest I will get to Wembley in the near future."

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2009: CHRIS Basham was pinching himself as a goal-scoring cameo at Chelsea looked to have earned him a new deal with Wanderers.

The youngster had made only a handful of Premier League appearances before coming off the bench to score in Bolton’s thrilling 4-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

“Just getting on the pitch was enough,” he said. “I was standing on touchline and looked across to see Nicolas Anelka and Deco going on for Chelsea. These are players I’m more used to seeing on the TV.

“You see Chris Basham coming on for Bolton – and that’s how different it is for us.

“I’m surprised with how it all went - it was totally unreal.”

His performance also raised the prospect of a new contract in the summer.

“Twelve months ago he was on loan at Rochdale and they weren’t playing him,” said Gary Megson. “But in terms of a footballer at Premier League level, Chris has a huge amount of work to do.

“His enthusiasm is a big, big plus. He went to get on and do well for the team.”

2019: THE ownership situation at Wanderers had deteriorated so badly, Phil Parkinson admitted it had already affected his plans for the following season.

Chief scout Tim Breacker had not been paid for three months and was unable to travel to matches, bills were racking up and a High Court date for unpaid tax hung on the horizon.

Owner Ken Anderson had told players he would apply to unfreeze accounts to allow access to money for unpaid salaries following a heated meeting between coaching staff, PFA rep Richard Jobson and senior members of the dressing room.

But former Watford owner Laurence Bassini was also making claims that his bid to buy the club from Anderson would soon be successful.

“At this stage of the season, irrespective of league position, you are planning for pre-season, trips, games etc. But as it stands at the moment we’ve done nothing,” admitted an increasingly irate Parkinson.

Wanderers, who were beaten 4-0 at Derby County, and Parkinson admitted relegation was a foregone conclusion.

“We have to be realistic,” he said. “After losing the two home games the odds were heavily stacked against us, shall we say. That result has made it worse.”

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