Bolton Wanderers’ top five moments at the University of Bolton Stadium

As Bolton Wanderers prepare to mark their 5000th league game, we look back at some of the Trotters’ most memorable goals and games.

The late, late show

The Trotters needed nothing less than three points to preserve their Sky Bet Championship status on the final day of the 2017/18 campaign when Nottingham Forest came to visit. As Bolton prepared to wave goodbye to the second-tier, David Wheater levelled proceedings in the 86^th minute and two minutes later, Aaron Wilbraham made it 3-2 moments later to win it for Wanderers.

All-singing, all-dancing Trotters

The stadium has seen some last gasp drama, and the 2002/03 campaign was no different. A 2-1 triumph over Middlesbrough on the final day of the season ensured top-flight survival for Wanderers, and boss Sam Allardyce and goal-scorer Jay-Jay Okocha busted a few moves in celebration – a dance which made a recent reappearance at Trotters charity match.

League Cup nights

One of the greatest nights came in January 2004 when Bolton breezed past Aston Villa 5-2 in the First Leg of the League Cup Semi-Final, going on to progress 5-4 on aggregate before losing to Boro in the Final. But it was the home tie that stole the headlines; Greek international Stylianos Giannakopoulos’s overhead kick and Okocha stunning free-kick fashioned an advantage.

Local bragging rights

Local derbies don’t get much better than a victory courtesy of a late winner and Bolton’s 2-1 triumph over Blackburn Rovers delivered. The 10-men Trotters beat Rovers, striking twice in the second half in December 2010. Almost straight from the restart after Blackburn levelled, Stuart Holden netted the winner in the 88^th minute to send the home faithful wild.

Worth the wait

Wanderers were made to wait over 15 years to witness another promotion ground after ascending from the First Division in 2000/01, but it was worth it when the Trotters bounced back to the Championship at the first time of asking in 2016/17. Promotion was confirmed as the curtain came down on the campaign, as Bolton registered a 3-0 win over Peterborough United.