The goals of Ryan Cassidy had singlehandedly inspired Bolton Wanderers into the upper reaches of the Championship in 2026/27, along with a pretty damn solid defence. But could they maintain their strong start to the campaign and push up into the playoffs?
The steady growth of Bolton Wanderers was confirmed by the media finally deciding they were no longer favourites to be relegated in the 2026/27. However, the club's financial concerns returned thanks to the new board's strange decision to blow a non-existent £100 million on a new stadium.
Season two in Turkey was proving to be somewhat of a breeze for Russian manager Vladimir Latunov, whose Galatasaray side had the Turkish Super League virtually wrapped up at the half-way mark with a 14 point lead.
Exciting times appeared to be on the horizon for Bolton Wanderers as new owners were installed on Christmas Day 2025. The new consortium, led by local investor Rick Harris, were able to quickly get acquainted with their new side as Bolton faced a ridiculous three games in four days over Christmas.
Bolton Wanderers had continued to exceed expectations by staying in the Championship for a third successive time and recording a second successive top ten finish in 2024/25. There's plenty to be excited about with the club's finances looking in ruder health and with just one year remaining on the monthly director's loan repayments.
Heading into the summer of 2023, Russian manager Vladimir Latunov was enjoying a growing reputation having just wrapped up consecutive titles, adding the Turkish league to the Polish crown he'd won with Legia.
Bolton Wanderers were continuing to defy expectations in the SkyBet Championship, sitting in the playoff positions heading into 2025. That had been mostly inspired by the goals of free-scoring Ryan Cassidy, but it couldn't be expected for the side to continue to challenge at the top.
Bolton Wanderers had survived in the Championship for two seasons, including a strong top half finish in 2023/24. But finances were a still major issue, with two years remaining on the £500,000 monthly director's loan repayments.
Life in Turkey had gotten off to a flyer, with Vladimir Latunov's third club in three seasons sitting top of the Turkish Super League heading into 2023. But things were about to get interesting with key players running out of contract and on the move.
Bolton Wanderers were once again performing well above expectations in their second season in the Championship, sitting nicely in the upper mid-table as 2024 approached. But the most pleasing thing about the club's progress is the number of homegrown players starring in the first-team.
Football Manager Addict 