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Per Frandsen knows how it feels to lose a play-off final with Wanderers – and says the team have to use their pain as “fuel” to go one step further next season.
Frandsen was part of the squad that were 90 minutes away from the top flight in 1999 only to lose 2-0 against Watford at Wembley.
The Dane was then sold to North West neighbours Blackburn Rovers but returned to Bolton less than a year later to play under Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce’s men reached another play-off final in 2001 and managed to get the job done on that occasion following a memorable 3-0 victory against Preston North End at the Millennium Stadium. Gareth Farrelly, Michael Ricketts and Ricardo Gardner all got on the scoresheet that day.
It was a special moment for Frandsen, made even sweeter after the heartbreak a couple of years earlier.
“Everybody dreams of playing in the Premier League,” he told The Bolton News. “We tried before so it was a dream to get there.
“After that, Bolton played there for 10 years. That was special, going back to Bolton and playing with the best players. That was what we were aiming for, it was great.”
The Whites’ hopes of reaching the final had looked in doubt after going 2-0 down against West Brom in the semi, but Gudni Bergsson got them back in the game with a looping header and Frandsen kept his cool to slot home a penalty. The second leg proved to be much more straightforward.
The Dane went on to play three more seasons at Bolton and featured in the League Cup final against Middlesbrough in 2004. Frandsen’s second spell at the club came to an end several months later after Allardyce decided against offering him a new deal.
The 54-year-old still follows Wanderers’ progress from over in Denmark and managed to watch some games last season.
He was impressed by what he saw and hopes the side can now bounce back from their Wembley pain as they aim to reach the Championship.
“I thought they played well last season and unfortunately didn’t go straight up,” said Frandsen.
“When you lose a final, it has got to be the fuel to not let that happen next year and hopefully go straight up. The play-off is a lottery, it is whoever plays well on the day.”
He added: “I always keep an eye on the scores and I watched a few games last season, you can see some of them on Danish television which is nice.
“I have watched as much as I can, I always follow Bolton. That is my second home and my club.
“I am so happy that it is going well and was so disappointed, as everyone was, that they didn’t go up. Hopefully, they do it next year.
“I think they are playing some good football and the manager has done a tremendous job. It is nice to see them back on track and seeing the stadium nearly full again.”
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