Well the best five in my lifetime -

 

 

Eddie Hopkinson

 

Arguably the greatest goalkeeper ever to wear the Bolton Wanderers jersey (even though he was only 5 foot 9 inches tall!). Hopkinson was a gentleman and a true club great who showed enormous pride at playing for the team in each of his 578 appearances. He was a vital cog in the team and a more than able replacement for fellow great Stan Hanson.

 

Born: 29th October 1935, Wheatley Hill, Durham, England

 

 

Signed From: Oldham Athletic, November 1952

 

Retired, November 1969

 

Bolton Debut: 18th August 1956 versus Blackpool (H), Division 1

 

Died April 25 in Royton, Lancashire, England at the age of 68 - Rest in Peace

 

Eddie's obituary -

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...27/ai_n12778088

 

 

Barry Siddall

 

The retirement of Charlie Wright in 1973 lead to the talented Siddall getting fastracked into first team action after only a few games experience. He was an ever present for the club over three seasons until he made the move up the divisions to join Sunderland for a rather modest fee of ??80,000.

 

 

Born: 12th September 1954, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England

 

Signed From: Apprentice, January 1972

 

Sold To: Sunderland, September 1976, ??80,000

 

Bolton Debut: 7th October 1972 versus Walsall (A), Division 3

 

Barry got itch feet after he left Bolton - he went on to play for - Sunderland, Darlington (loan), Port Vale, Blackpool (loan), Stoke City, Tranmere Rovers (loan), Manchester City (loan), Stockport County, Hartlepool United, West Bromwich Albion, Mossley, Carlisle United, Chester City, Northwich Victoria, Preston North End, Bury, Burnley, Lincoln City, Birmingham City, and Rossendale United

 

Where is he now - in November 2001 it was reported that Barry was now living in Kirkham and working localy as a postman.

 

 

Jim (Seamus) McDonagh

 

One of the most talented goalkeepers ever to turn out for Bolton over the course of two seperate spells. McDonagh was an important and irrepressible member of the Wanderers squad to achieve promotion back to the First Division in 1978.

 

 

Born: 6th October 1952, Rotherham, Yorkshire, England

 

Signed From: Rotherham United, August 1976, ??15,000

 

Sold To: Everton, July 1980, ??250,000

 

Signed From: Everton, August 1981, Exchange for Mike Walsh

 

Sold To: Notts County, July 1983, Free Transfer

 

Bolton Debut (1st spell): 2nd October 1976 versus Blackpool (H), Division 2

 

Bolton Debut (2nd spell): 29th August 1981 versus Chelsea (A), Division 2

 

First Goal (2nd spell): 15th January 1983 versus Burnley (H), Division 2

 

 

Keith Branagan

 

One of the best Bolton keepers of all time following in the footsteps of Pym Hanson, Hopkinson and McDonagh. Branny appeared in over 200 games for the club having been plucked from obscurity at Millwall in 1992 by Bruce Rioch.

 

 

Born - 10th July, 1966 in Fulham

 

Signed from Millwall July 1992 - Free Transfer

 

Sold to Ipswich March 2000 - Free Transfer

 

Bolton debut 15th August 1992 v Huddersfield Town (H) Division 3

 

 

Jussi Jaaskelainen

 

Jaaskelainen now enters his eighth full season as a Bolton Wanderers player and over the years he has gradually developed into one of the best goalkeepers in England. Excellent all round shot stopper with great agility, his presence is a key feature in the Bolton team

 

 

Born: 19th April 1975, Mikkeli, Finland

 

Signed From: VPS Vaasa (Finland), November 1997, ??350,000

 

Bolton Debut: 8th August 1998 versus Crystal Palace (A), Division 1

 

 

 

 

 

With a big thanks to the fantastic Walking down the Manny Road site for much of the background research.

 

http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s474/st80524.htm

 

 

http://www.the-wanderer.co.uk/boards/viewt...p=156648#156648

Edited August 26, 200619 yr by Sluffy

Sluffy

 

I thought Barry Siddall might have been in that collection! I don't remember Hopkinson but Seamus, Branny and Jussi!

 

All 3 have a something I can remember them buy!

 

Seamus McDonaugh's goal aginst Burnely on a very windy day! Keith Brannagan's penalty save in the Play-Off Final v Reading! You just knew we were going to win after that and Jussi's double save from Cole at OT when we won 2-1 with Ricketts and Nobby scoring!

I have added in Barry Siddall to the list at the request of Andy, and also give you -

 

Honourable Mention -

 

Dave Felgate

 

Felgate was a competent shot stopper who had a number of spells with Bolton during his career. He began as an apprentice at the club in 1980 but failed to make it to the first team but his two other spells were much more memorable. He stayed at the club for 300 games before leaving for Wolves in 1993.

 

 

Born 6th March 1960, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales

 

Signed from (first spell) - Grimsby Town , February 1986, on loan

 

Signed from (second spell) - Grimsby Town - February 1987 for??15,000

 

Sold to Wolves in August 1993 - free transfer.

 

Bolton debut (first spell) - 22nd February 1986 v Newport County (h) Division 3

 

Bolton debut (first spell) - 7th February 1987 v Fulham (h) Division 3

 

 

However I was at the Dell the night this happened!

 

From the Evening News, February 27, 1992

 

BOLTON Wanderers' aim to draw inspiration from the FA Cup run ended in dramatic disappointment at Southampton last night.

 

FA Cup glory was snatched away after Julian Darby's net-busting volley had 3,000 ecstatic Bolton fans celebrating a place in the quarter-finals.

 

Then silence! Three minutes later, Barry Horne's hit-and-hope 30 yarder swerved a little, dipped a bit and somehow beat Dave Felgate for the most dramatic of equalisers - two minutes into injury time. In the second period of extra time, Horne scored again to settle the tie. Bolton manager Phil Neal said: "I feel like I've been mugged."

I have added in Barry Siddall to the list at the request of Andy, and also give you -

 

Honourable Mention -

 

Dave Felgate

 

Felgate was a competent shot stopper who had a number of spells with Bolton during his career. He began as an apprentice at the club in 1980 but failed to make it to the first team but his two other spells were much more memorable. He stayed at the club for 300 games before leaving for Wolves in 1993.

 

 

Born 6th March 1960, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales

 

Signed from (first spell) - Grimsby Town , February 1986, on loan

 

Signed from (second spell) - Grimsby Town - February 1987 for??15,000

 

Sold to Wolves in August 1993 - free transfer.

 

Bolton debut (first spell) - 22nd February 1986 v Newport County (h) Division 3

 

Bolton debut (first spell) - 7th February 1987 v Fulham (h) Division 3

However I was at the Dell the night this happened!

 

From the Evening News, February 27, 1992

 

BOLTON Wanderers' aim to draw inspiration from the FA Cup run ended in dramatic disappointment at Southampton last night.

 

FA Cup glory was snatched away after Julian Darby's net-busting volley had 3,000 ecstatic Bolton fans celebrating a place in the quarter-finals.

 

Then silence! Three minutes later, Barry Horne's hit-and-hope 30 yarder swerved a little, dipped a bit and somehow beat Dave Felgate for the most dramatic of equalisers - two minutes into injury time. In the second period of extra time, Horne scored again to settle the tie. Bolton manager Phil Neal said: "I feel like I've been mugged."

 

 

I never have and never will forgive Felgate for his flap at the Dell

 

He was a lower league standard keeper if that.

FA Cup glory was snatched away after Julian Darby's net-busting volley had 3,000 ecstatic Bolton fans celebrating a place in the quarter-finals.

 

I was there that night, from high to low in the sapce of a few minutes, on the way back our minibus broke down, and we ended up getting towed back to Bolton, eventually got hom at about 7:55, and had to be in work at 8:30

 

Looking back though, we had a fantastic away support, would we take 3000+ fans to a mid-week FA Cup game at Southampton now...............I fear not

I was there that night, from high to low in the sapce of a few minutes, on the way back our minibus broke down, and we ended up getting towed back to Bolton, eventually got hom at about 7:55, and had to be in work at 8:30

 

Looking back though, we had a fantastic away support, would we take 3000+ fans to a mid-week FA Cup game at Southampton now...............I fear not

 

 

We had no problems with our minibus and it seemd like the journey would never end. Your journey home must have been worse.

 

Joy to misery in one fcuking game.

 

And I still blame felgate as well.

Why is there a picture of basil faulty were barry siddall should be???? :p

I was there that night, from high to low in the sapce of a few minutes, on the way back our minibus broke down, and we ended up getting towed back to Bolton, eventually got hom at about 7:55, and had to be in work at 8:30

 

Looking back though, we had a fantastic away support, would we take 3000+ fans to a mid-week FA Cup game at Southampton now...............I fear not

 

 

I can beat that one....

 

My specs got smashed during the celebrations for Darbys goal and for the rest of the game I could see bugger all. To make things worse I was driving myself back to Scotland, dropping off 3 lads in Horwich on the way. I was the only one sober in the car so I called the RAC and after an hour of argueing that it was a medical reason I eventually got a recovery all the way from Southampton to Dumfriesshire via all the lads houses in Horwich, eventually arriving home at 11.15am. I was 4 hours late for work and got an official warning.

I never have and never will forgive Felgate for his flap at the Dell

 

He was a lower league standard keeper if that.

We were sat in the stand that night and right behind the shot. It had a vicious swerve and dip and I do'nt think there was a keeper in the country who would have stopped the shot that night.

As for lower league keeper, we were lower league then so its all relative.

Agree with the earlier post about being so high and then low in the matter of a couple of minutes, it was weird. Although the result went against us, it was still a memorable night.

we were on the special train

 

it got in at 5.10 am

 

i was in work at 6

we were on the special train

 

it got in at 5.10 am

 

i was in work at 6

 

Likewise, except I was a student so just went to bed all day

why is gavin ward left out of that list he was by far the best keeper!

why is gavin ward left out of that list he was by far the best keeper!

 

I disagree - but just for you -

 

 

Gavin Ward

 

Ward developed himself a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the lower leagues throughout 1996 and on this basis Colin Todd signed him for Bolton from Bradford City. He spent most of his Wanderers career covering for Keith Branagan but did play a part in the Division 1 championship side.

 

Gavin in his blond Coventry period!

 

Born: 30th June 1970, Sutton Coldfield

 

Signed From: Bradford City, March 1996, ??285,000

 

Sold To: Stoke City, February 1999, Free Transfer

 

Former Clubs: Aston Villa, Shrewsbury Town, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City, Leicester City, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley (loan), Stoke City, Walsall, Coventry City, Barnsley (loan), Preston North End, Tranmere Rovers

 

Bolton Debut: 30th March 1996 versus Manchester City (H), FA Premiership

 

Where is he now - currently Tranmere's goalie - who played yesterday - BBC's match report -

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...v_2/5266144.stm

 

http://www.tranmererovers.premiumtv.co.uk/...65~9640,00.html

 

Source details from -

 

http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s474/st80524.htm

Matt "The Cat" Clarke anyone?

Matt "The Cat" Clarke anyone?

 

certainly played his part

 

very impressive in the short period we had him

Matt "The Cat" Clarke anyone?

 

 

Just for you Carlos -

 

 

The loan signing of Clarke from Bradford City in 2001 helped stablise a problematic goalkeeping situation bugged by injuries and suspensions. Bolton, with the aid of Clarke got their promotion aspirations back on course and eventually defeated Preston in the Play Off final.

 

Tragedy struck Bolton in January 2001 when Jussi was ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage following a clash with Tranmere's Andy Parkinson.

 

Bolton had seen former goalkeeping hero Keith Branagan suffer a similar fate two years previously and this was to be the start of a goalkeeping hoo-doo which was to last two months.

 

Steve Banks, Tommy Wright, Juergen Sommer and Matt Clarke all had turns in goal, but Allardyce finally decided on Bradford loan star Clarke during the Wanderers promotion run in, which ended with the Play Off Final win which secured Bolton's return to the top division.

 

After Matt went back to Bradford he was signed by Steve Bruce to help plug Crystal Palace's leaky defence.

 

Matt started his career with Rotherham as a trainee and in 1996, moved to neighbours Sheffield Wednesday for ??325,000. He spent his time as reserve keeper, making only two first team appearances and had a spell on loan with Kidderminister.

 

He was given a free transfer to Bradford in 1998 and after replacing injured first choice Gary Walsh, produced some outstanding displays for the Bantams, culminating in their Premier League survival.

 

However, after he was dropped from the team halfway through last season, he fell out with manager Jim Jeffries and was loaned out to Bolton, where he starred in their play-off win over Preston.

 

He decided to join Palace after Bruce promised him the "number one jersey" and signed for ??1.35m.

 

However in March 2004 we heard this news -

 

Palace goalkeeper Matt Clarke has confirmed the sad news that a persistent knee injury has forced him to retire at the age of 30, by Joseph O'Shea.

 

The former Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford keeper managed just four games this season following surgery last year, and went missing with what Palace described as a 'sore knee'.

 

Signed from Bradford by Steve Bruce in September 2001 for ??1.35million, Clarke played 30 games in his first season at Selhurst Park, but despite two operations, knee ligament damage restricted him to just eight more Palace appearances.

 

Now with two years still remaining on his contract, he has decided to retire.

 

He said: "I have now retired due to my injury and I am in the process of tying everything up with the club. I played at the start of this season but having been out for a year, I found it was no good and I couldn't carry on."

 

Clarke was given the option of further surgery, but having twice been out for six months in two years, the prospect of another lengthy recovery period was too much.

 

He said "Two or three surgeons said I could have another operation. But that would mean being out for another couple of years, taking me towards the end of my contract. I had to take the decision to call it a day.

 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the lads at Palace, I have some great mates down there and I had some great times.

 

"It's frustrating when you can't show your full potential through injury but if I had my time over gain, I would still have taken that move, it's a massive club. It's probably the biggest I have been at including Sheffield Wednesday."

 

Palace boss at the time, Steve Kember tried to fast-track Clarke into goal-keeper coaching, but he decided to head back up North.

 

Clarke said: "I was flattered by the offer, but it was too much for me at the time. I would like to coach at a younger level to put something back into the game.

 

"I have a development company with my father and a friend so I might turn my attention to that. After being out for so long you tend to prepare yourself for the worst."

 

http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=2040

 

Thats the latest I could find on him so I guess he's busy building up his company (probably should be doing that myself rather than delving about on here - but hey all work and no play.....).

 

http://www.the-wanderer.co.uk/boards/viewt...&highlight=

Hopky the best I ever saw for BWFC. None since played for England during their time with us. Getting off the subject slightly but when me old man started taking me on the Embankment, one of Boltons 'characters' (big, tall gaunt fooker in a long gaberdine mac) used to stand 3 steps up from the fence and mimic every move Hopky made. Didn't matter if it was absolutely pissing down, he'd be diving full length on the concrete or whatever Eddie was doing. Been fighting to remember what me old man and the other blokes called him. 'Bradshaw Bert' or summat. Had a lasting effect on an impressionable 8yo. I have since purposely avoided the company of the mentally unstable and assorted zoons; apart from some on here of course

Thank fuk no-ones mentioned Dennis Peacock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy Dibble anyone.

Nobody rated Mike Salmon when he was a Wanderer but he went on to have a decent career.

why is gavin ward left out of that list he was by far the best keeper!

 

Gavin Ward scored an 80-odd yard free kick yesterday for Tranmere in their 3-0 win against Leyton Orient.

we were on the special train

 

it got in at 5.10 am

 

i was in work at 6

 

 

I was on that too, I remember getting home and watching Australia - England on tv, a one day game I think?

 

Thank fuk no-ones mentioned Dennis Peacock

 

Anyone remember Alan Boswell? or Peter Clarke even

Gavin Ward scored an 80-odd yard free kick yesterday for Tranmere in their 3-0 win against Leyton Orient.

 

80 yards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

that would probably take me two good run ups, with belting toe-bungs

I remember Peter Shilton coming on as sub for us in the first half of an away league match after our keeper had a leg injury from a foul.

I can't remember which keeper it was or if he actually broke his leg. I also can't remember who we were playing, but I do remember that Shilts was about 3 or 4 games away from a league record of appearances because we were talking about it before the match. ???????

I remember Peter Shilton coming on as sub for us in the first half of an away league match after our keeper had a leg injury from a foul.

I can't remember which keeper it was or if he actually broke his leg. I also can't remember who we were playing, but I do remember that Shilts was about 3 or 4 games away from a league record of appearances because we were talking about it before the match. ???????

 

 

Considered to be one of England's finest ever goalkeepers having achieved a record 125 caps for his country. Shilton came to Bolton on non-contract forms and it was widely thought he would not be called into action but his appearance against former club Stoke made him Bolton's oldest ever player.

 

Debut: 3rd May 1995 versus Stoke City (A), Division 1

 

http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s474/st93...a><br>

 

He played his only other game for Bolton in the First Division Play-off Semi v Wolves - on 14th May, 1995

Edited September 4, 200619 yr by Sluffy

I remember Peter Shilton coming on as sub for us in the first half of an away league match after our keeper had a leg injury from a foul.

I can't remember which keeper it was or if he actually broke his leg. I also can't remember who we were playing, but I do remember that Shilts was about 3 or 4 games away from a league record of appearances because we were talking about it before the match. ???????

 

Was it not Branagan who went off with an injury and the final score was 0-0? A night game! I went that game also! I remember it being a bit 'naughty' outside before and after the game!