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Wanderers fans can make an emotional return to the University of Bolton Stadium on July 31 for a prestige home friendly against Blackburn Rovers.
The club has announced a pre-season schedule of six first team games, concluding with the visit of Tony Mowbray’s Championship outfit.
Pending government guidance and local authority permissions, the game is expected to be the first with supporters in the stadium since February 29, 2020, a gap of 518 days.
Wanderers say further details on ticketing will be announced nearer the time but the prospect of a Lancashire derby to tee-up the new campaign in League One is an appetising one, to say the least.
Ian Evatt’s side start their pre-season preparations at the start of July and are expected to gather for a training camp before travelling to Longridge Town on July 10 for their first friendly (kick-off 3pm).
The traditional match against Atherton Colls will take place at the Skuna Stadium on Tuesday, July 13 (7.30pm).
Wanderers will travel to Broadhurst Park to face FC United of Manchester on Saturday, July 17 (3pm).
On Tuesday, July 20, Bolton fans will be able to watch their side in action at the County Ground in Leyland, with Championship side Preston North End providing the opposition (7pm).
Evatt will then take his side back to his former club Barrow on Saturday, July 24 (3pm).
The summer run will be rounded off with the big game against Blackburn, with the start of the League One season to follow a weekend later.
Wanderers have also announced three representative games, which could well be worth a look given the club’s plans to create a ‘B Team’ next season.
A Bolton XI will go to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge, on Wednesday, July 21 (7.30pm) and then face Chorley at Victory Park on July 26 (7.30pm). The warm-up games will conclude on Wednesday, August 4, when the Whites travel to play Chester at the Deva Stadium (7pm).
AT A GLANCE
First Team Fixtures
Saturday, July 10 (KO 3pm) – Longridge Town v Bolton Wanderers
Tuesday, July 13 (KO 7.30pm) – Atherton Collieries v Bolton Wanderers
Saturday, July 17 (KO 3pm) – FC United of Manchester v Bolton Wanderers
Tuesday 20 July (KO 7pm) – Preston North End v Bolton Wanderers (Played at the County Ground, Leyland).
Saturday, July 24 (KO 3pm) – Barrow v Bolton Wanderers
Saturday, July 31 (KO 3pm) – Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers
Bolton Wanderers XI Fixtures
Wednesday, July 21 (KO 7:30pm) – Bamber Bridge v Bolton Wanderers XI
Tuesday, July 27 (KO 7.30pm) – Chorley v Bolton Wanderers XI
Wednesday, August 4 (KO 7pm) – Chester v Bolton Wanderers XI
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