1996/97

 

http://youtu.be/k27FrVe27-U

thinking it's too obvious but Reading in the play off final would be my guess...

Aberdeen friendly at Burnden,last game before Wimbledon away.

 

They unfurled a big banner for him from the commentary doofer on the manny stand roof.

I don't think there's a member of that side I'd not have in the team now.

 

Well, apart from Phillips because he's a local lad, obvs.

That was ace what a season - observations

 

- I always thought Blake was a moody get but clearly loving his footy in that lot

- sellers takes a mean dead ball

- get balls in the box u score goals

- we didn't keep many clean sheets

- that team goal v Huddersfield at home was awesome

- Tommos goal at QPR was class

- Tommo was a lovely lovely class footballer

- Southends away following was pitiful

 

But most of all the old girl Burnden got one hell of a send off......form is temporary class is permanent so fuck off Wigan miles off yet let alone lacing our boots you've not thread the fuckers in yet

 

Trying to guess the team that played most of the season

 

Branagan

 

Bergsson

Taggart

Fairclough

Phillips

 

Johansen

Thompson

Frandsen

Sellers

 

McGinlay

Blake

 

Seem to remember Pollock and Sheridan playing quite often too.

 

Thought Brian Small was at full back most of that season.

Who can name Dave Higsons last game covered??

Newcastle at home he unveiled a banner from the gantry IIRC

I had this on VHS, remember getting it from the club shop at the Reebok when i was about 10, Jimmy Phillips was in the shop at the time and signed the tape for me.

 

Got it home, watched it with my parents and turns out Roadrunner video had taped over a porn film cos after the last game when the recording ended some tart getting shagged came up hahaha!

 

I wanted to keep it, but Dad took it back to the shop and brought me back a non-filth version

 

That's what he told you anyway.

Just watched this sat in front of my new 'Going to the Match' Lowry pic, which takes pride of place above the (fake) hearth.  Gettin a wee bit choked up!  Great memories.  Cheers OP!

 

We were a force that year, great way to send Burnden off.  Could not have dreamt it better

Very happy memories. Passion, pride and beautiful football. And that last night at Burnden is one of those occasions in life I wish I could experience again.

Chris Fairclough at Palace, I went mental when that flew in, great day that was. As was City away, "Stand up, for the champions" was the cry

Would back that team to front up to any team I can remember

 

Taggert scared the living shit out of the opposition

Pollock & Frandsen would run through brick walls for the team

Blake absolutely bullied defenders

Sellers was as smooth as silk

McGinley just walked on fucking water

 

The greatest and most enjoyable bolton team in my lifetime. As a 14/15 lad all's you want is to see your team and your idols win games of football, simple as that, in the greatest football ground of them all!!!

 

If the current team gave me half the joy those lads did id be the happiest lad around

A great side with a perfect mix in all the departments and two brilliant finishers. A lot of bluster about the likes of Vokes and Ings this season but few if any pairings as good as Blake and McGinlay at that level. 

 

We footballed teams to death (on a pitch that was knackered near the end) and fought them if they fancied themselves 

 

Great enjoyment throughout, including those cup ties v Chelsea and Spurs and, as davidjack says, that last night at Burnden was unforgettable.

Am I alone in thinking that Blake was a touch better than McGinlay in that season?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love(d) McGinlay, but at times Blake was unplayable and was asked to do a much tougher job than SJM was.

 

Also, if you don't count penalties I think Blake actually scored more?

My over riding memory of Blake that season is that he could have scored about ten more if he had a bit more composure.  Raw power though.  You always fancied McGinlay . . . 

That Goal V WBA at Home by Blake is one of my all time favourites

Grimsby Away, Boxing Day was my favourite game of that season.

In an all seated away end, we still managed to somehow have 2 people to every seat, and then some in the overspill area too.

Gavin Ward, his best game for the club.

Stand out from that video was Blake for me, but many others like Sellars silky dribbling and brilliant corners, McGinlay's finishing and 2 arms up celebration even when he didn't score, he was so happy to see other players score (as they all were tbh, a lot of passion in the side)

 

Thompson's left foot was lethal and Fairclough scoring very regularly, I have a blue and red white stripe away Bolton top with his signature and message on it from him.

got marred on the 3rd may stayed in the honeymoon suite on buemont rd

 

went down for breakfast on the sunday the day of the Tranmere game and all the bolton squad was there haveing there breakfast to

I don't Nathen Blake gets half the credit he deserves for his time here.

 

Total powerhouse upfront for that championship winning season and only glimmer of hope the season after.

 

Like has been said if only he'd have had a tiny bit more composure he could have been an all time great. For every pearler that springs to mind there's a miss.

 

That one on one away at Blackburn when he tried to bend it round the keeper and it went wide. Fuck me I can still hear the thud of the ball twatting the hoardings.

 

Crewe away at 4-4 was a bad one as well. Straight over the bar from 6 yards haha

What a season that was! I was definitely spoilt as a youngster! I idolised every player in that team!

I would imagine Blake was SJMs favourite partner...occupied & terrorised defenders.... nothing changes tho, a certain percentage of our support used to call him lazy ffs! Mind you I heard one cnut call Yourri a lazy bastard once....fuck did he get a gobfull of abuse, the knobscratch.

Did every game bar city away that season some top days out, didn't realise how good our support at QPR was I thought 500ish looks a lot more not bad for a Sunday lunch on TV.

A season that started so typically for Bolton, people calling for Toddys head at Port Vale & then a few days later a great win against Citeh setting the tone for the rest of the season.

Question - what was Stuart Mac's contribution to all this?

he held the camera.

 

without doubt the best ever season supporting bolton.

Portsmouth 0-3 Bolton January 11th

 

Was it really bad weather or was it recorded with a tea towel :s