In preparation for tonights final day showdown a quick look back at where we‘ve been on this long journey with the mighty Coasters and Big Dunc.
It’s the 21/22 season and once again all eyes are focused on the Trotters.
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A masive step up for Duncan Ferguson as he takes charge of Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet Championship. Duncan will want to prove himself on a bigger stage and it's an opportunity that excites him.
DF: I'm delighted to have signed a one year contract with Bolton. I remember Bolton from a few years back with such great players like Ivan Campo and Jay Jay Okocha when they had success in the Premier League. A club like Bolton should be aiming for those heights again and I'm here to get that ball rolling. It's a big step which I am aware of. It won't be easy that's for sure. I know Bolton have had their problems over recent years but with the right backing there's no reason why we can't being successful and it starts by winning football matches. I'm yet to meet the squad and have a sit down with my players. I think it's 10 days until we play Swansea City and that will be a tough match. It would be emphatic to start with a win.
Things didn’t start well and Dunc lost the first seven games in charge.
LIBERTY STADIUM, SWANSEA. 28th JANUARY 2023
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New Swansea manager John McGreal left his managerial position at Bolton on the 17th December 2022 to take the vacant Swansea City job and was the subject to boos from the opposition fans. Duncan Ferguson was taking charge of his first game as Bolton Wanderers manager and was hoping to pile on the misery for Swansea who started the day 18th in the table.
Swansea came out attacking and the game was controlled in midfield by Leroy Fer. The midfielder turned creator and was playing balls forward for George Byers and Borja Baston but the Bolton defence done well to avert the danger. Dwight McNeill got onto the ball on the left flank on occasion throughout the first half but chances did not amount to much. Both sides went into the break at 0-0. Bolton came out with a bit more fight and desire. The Swansea onslaught continued and keeper Ben Amos made some fine saves to deny The Swans. With 15 minutes left to play it was attacking midfielder Erhun Oztumer who scored a stunning solo effort from 35 yards out with the ball rocketing into the top corner. Bolton fans could not believe it scoring a goal from nothing and the chants rang out of "Who the ****** are you?" to John McGreal. Bolton sat deep and Kyle Naughton crossed in from the left wing to Vazquez who hit a shot into the palms of Amos but the rebound fell back to him and he placed it home. Bolton looked set to hang on for the draw but with seconds remaining there was a dubious call for a penalty with the Swansea players claiming it struck the hand of Bellusci. There was hesitation from the referee but with the fans causing a raucous noise he pointed to the spot. Ferguson was livid on the touchline screaming in the face of the fourth official and was sent off. George Byers stepped up to take the penalty and made it 2-1 to Swansea. A devastating blow for Bolton who were so close but Swansea were the better side on the day and worked harder to get the win. Was it a penalty? Replays show there was contact with the ball but maybe accidental. Ferguson was unavailable for comment after the game.
TOUGH START FOR FERGUSON
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After the shock defeat to Swansea City there was still optimism at the University of Bolton Stadium. A sell-out crowd was keen to see Ferguson in action and 6th place QPR were the visitors. Bolton were up against it from the off and but Bolton were focused and defended well. QPR had two chances decided by goal line technology with the ball not fully crossing the line on both occasions. Ben Amos made some spectacular saves in goal to keep The Trotters in the game and it was enough to take a point against tough opposition.
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Three days later Bolton were hosts to League leaders Newcastle United. 17 minutes in when the deadlock was broken as Xhedan Shakiri swung in a cross to the far post for the head of Sander Berge to rise above the defence and make it 1-0. Bolton looked good at times when they were in possession and attacking midfielder Oztumer had two shots in the first half from range that just narrowly missed the goal. Shakiri scored a wonderful free-kick on 35 minutes to give the magpies a 2-0 lead and at this point going into half-time seemed in full control. Bolton had a corner whipped in and as Rafael Mir went for the ball he was pushed to the ground by Lanzini. Oztumer took the penalty but Dubravka guessed right and palmed the ball to safety. Bolton were devastated not to score. 13 minute after the break and Oztumer crossed in the free-kick to the far post to find centre back Bellusci who knocked it down for Greg Doherty to poke into the net. 2-1 and a way back for Bolton. It wasn't for long as Newcastle put Bolton under pressure, Muto could not find his way through the packed Bolton defence so had a shot which took a harsh deflection off centre back Streete and wrong-footed Amos in goal to give Newcastle a 2 goal cushion. To finish the game off, in the 80th minute Muto turned provider when he crossed for El Mhassani who headed past Amos to make it 4-1. Aerial balls certainly a problem for Bolton. Striker Mason Murphy had a chance to grab a consolation goal but blazed his shot well over the bar. Newcastle looked solid away from home and Bolton - a defensive shambles.
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Barnsley vs Bolton as Oakwell and a good start ensued for Bolton, getting the ball forward early and looking to create chances but Barnsley held their nerve and were the team to eventually break the deadlock on 28 minutes. Amaechi crossed into the box but Amos maanged to get hold of the ball but dropped it into the path of Srbeny who reacted quickly to knock it over the line. A poor way to concede and two minutes later another cross came in for Eliasson who was unmarked at the far post to stab the ball into the net. Defensively terrible once again from crosses. All goals of the game came in the first half and Daniel Batty laid one into the path of his midfield partner Greg Doherty who blasted in from long range into the bottom corner but Bolton were unable to grab an equaliser. Greg Doherty had a fine game in the centre of the park but the rest of the team failed to play on the same wavelength. On loan striker John-Jules still waiting to recover from a minor injury before making his Bolton debut.
DF: It's not the start I had in mind, we have identified some weaknesses in our game and we have got to get better. The goals are not coming and this is an issue. The strikers on the field are not doing enough and that was one area I tried to rectify on deadline day. I'm not criticising Mason Murphy or Rafael Mir here but I am expecting them to step up their game. I am expecting the defence to unite and step up their game. We are making too many errors at the back and concentration levels are an issue. I will get this right, this is why I am here.
CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE AFTER 33 GAMES
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New Coasters boss was already showing what we were in store for slagging off the previous management.
The situation was dealt with swiftly.
Joey got a good slap off Dunc
It was a pretty low bar to set but the award had to go to someone and Janice the tea-lady had already turned it down.
What ever happen to old Euhan? He was certainly no Hendo.
Despite unwavering support from the Fylde Ultras Barton did what everyone expected and took us back out of the league.
FYLDE RESULTS
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LEAGUE TWO FINAL STANDINGS 2022/23
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The two sides from the Lancashire Coast find themselves playing National League football next season. It was a poor season for Fylde in a tough division, mainly with players not cut out for that level. Tyrone O'Neil scored 9 goals in the league this season and was Fylde's top scorer. Danny Rowe netted 6 which was a poor return given his recent goal scoring form.
One of the brightest players of the season was on-loan signing Conor Coventry from West Ham United. Barton brought in the midfielder in January and the player made 15 appearances for The Coasters putting in good performances. Oliver Sarkic scored 8 goals and also got 4 assists.
The Coasters will be strong favourites to return to the Football League next season and it could be the battle of the Lancashire Coast for top spot.
Joey Barton has kept his job for now but whether he remains there in the summer is to be seen. There is a lot of discontent amongst supporters who feel Barton has no connection with the fans and does not know his best team. Duncan Ferguson built this team over the course of four seasons and many of the supporters still hold a torch for the big man.
Some Ultras weren’t taking it well.
He’s gone lads. Face it. He took us in, built us up then ran off as soon as the going got tough. Obviously couldn’t handle the pressure of the big B job. what a fanny.
Mods can you close this thread now. Can you also permanently ban
@The Penalty Box Dancer
Faded and withered like so many former threads.
Has anybody checked on
@maccavennie?
Last seen getting escorted out of the Macron ground, by 4 policemen after he did a ‘me too’ on the huck
I'm alive mate, just living in a tent in me mums back yard atm
Will explain in more detail once I've rigged my stuff up to the neighbours electric and gas
The threats of kidnappings, harpoon attacks and dirty protest were beginning to provide results as Barton started to show the pressure was building.
This was surely the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning.
Fylde Results
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Fylde failed to put in a mirroring performance of their victory over Wrexham and the televised game against Bromley put Barton under pressure. The rumours circulating around the Lancashire Coast is Barton has had words with the chairman and the media report on a strained relationship between the two. This was latr confirmed in Barton's post match press conference.
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Joey Barton, a controversial character throughout his career done himself no favours when storming out of the post match conference. Something must have rattled Barton for him to leave after what seemed such a simple question.
The masses were once again becoming restless reminiscing of the halcyon days of the Vanarrama and valiant defeats in the playoffs.
Sometimes I wish we were still back in Fylde. Fans and players all in the same semi-articulated lorry with Frank the tramp driving god knows where. All of us swilling the same 2 litre bottles of fizzy bitter and smoking the duty free cigs that the Huck had sneaked back from his hols. Cracking times.
Now it's a pound for a programme and pies that brag about minimum meat content. The game got too rich. If Dunc and the Huck don't turn it around, I'm thinking of jacking it in.
Bleeding Burnley glory hunters saying 6 all the time as it's 6 years since we last met in the league. No marks with a decent defender and some fancy attackers? Just can't take it no more.
Some were more vocal than others
Sack the board sack the board sack the board
Sack the board sack the board sack the board
Sack the board sack the board sack the board
Sack the board SACK THE BOARD
and the dedication was there for all to see.
I'm currently living in the Upper tier of the bisto stand Jimi, I've tied myself to the railings but they ain't arsed about little old loyal macca and his dedication.
I urge all fellow Boltonians to show the board we mean business by getting loads of cheese boards and chess boards and ironing boards and surf boards and snowboards and floor boards and Stuart Broads and lobbing the lot at the board as and when the opportunity arises.
That'll show em
Up the Dunc!
The fan base was becoming fractious and the lack of news wasn’t helping things.
Apologies for lack of updates. Preparing the next update which I'll get up on Wednesday and then we are back with consistency.
Thanks for sticking by this.
Some were reaching breaking point.
WHAT THE ACTUAL F IS GOING ON!
I’ve had to call Microsoft to come out and fix my f5 button. I’m sending you the bill
@The Penalty Box Dancer . Not only am I angry. Im disappointed. You lied to fellow fans.
Then the inevitable happened.
15 MINUTES AFTER THE GAME FINISHED AT MILL FARM INEVITABLE NEWS CAME FROM THE PRESS OFFICER WHO ATTENDED THE GAME....
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Macca summed up what every Coaster was feeling. There maybe light at the end of the tunnel.
Sniff my middle finger Joey you scruffy meff. You aint fit to lace Duncs boots and he might give you a job mopping up his piss when he misses the toilet (which happens quite a lot Val said who is the Head cleaner at Bolton)
Obviously not. Out of the frying pan....
Kewell’s appointment was the final straw for some.
They call us the Wanderers
Yeah the Wanderers
We go around around around around
Fylde were on the brink of alienating even the hardcore.
Don’t remind me JJ, dark times.
Even the mods were getting involved things were serious.
Jesus is this still going?
The whole thread was in jeopardy at this point.
It’s possible.
@The Penalty Box Dancer could also be preparing for the upcoming porn ban, by bashing off as much as possible to satisfy his depraved thirst.
Give us an update when you’re done mate. No rush.
Dropped down to page 4!
We’re living on crumbs here lad.
@The Penalty Box Dancer.
Up the mighty Coasters.
The dirty protests had followed Big Dunc from Fylde as results started to slide.
The old ‘turd down the chimney’ works again.
Hurrah for
@Yarrgh
I bet this story doesn't have a happy ending.
History was repeating with Dunc losing matches and losing support of the fans.
Reports of drama unfolding at Bolton Wanderers F.C.
F.A. CUP THIRD ROUND
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Bolton Wanderers crash out of the second cup competition at the first hurdle. Mampala put in a great performance at The Den getting on the scoresheet but Bolton only held the lead for 60 seconds before Armstrong equalised. Bolton played well in the second half and pushed everyone forward in the last fifteen minutes to battle for the equaliser. Duncan Ferguson took great pride from the performance and urged the fans to be patient for success.
Things were no different at Fylde and the ultras were circling.
FYLDE UPDATE
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Harry Kewell's poor managerial run extended into January only picking up one victory away to Boston United. Relegation from the Vanarama National League is now becoming risky as the team once in the football league are slipping away into the abyss of non-league football.
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Until the inevitable happened, again.
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Chairman David Haythornthwaite has held interviews with numerous candidates for the vacant manager job at Mill Farm. We expect an announcement to be made by the end of the day.
Which leads us to where we are to day. Big Dunc was back at the Farm, the Ultras who had become split into various factions were once again united.
Things seemed right with the world.
UTFC do us proud tonight.
