2012–13 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season

Bolton Wanderers
2012–13 season
Chairman Phil Gartside
Manager Owen Coyle
(until 9 October 2012)
Jimmy Phillips
(caretaker from 9 October 2012 until 25 October 2012)
Dougie Freedman
(from 25 October 2012)
Stadium Reebok Stadium
Championship 7th
FA Cup 4th Round
League Cup 2nd Round
Top goalscorer League: Chris Eagles (12)
All: Chris Eagles (12)
Highest home attendance 24,844 v Blackpool
4 May 2012
Lowest home attendance 15,675 v Peterborough United
26 February 2013
Average home league attendance 18,034
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 2012–13 season was Bolton Wanderers first season in the Football League Championship since 2001 following their relegation from the Premier League. Bolton ultimately missed out on a play-off spot, being overtaken by Leicester City on the final day of the season, meaning Bolton will spend the 2013–14 season in the Championship.

It covered the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013.

Pre-season

On 24 May, Bolton announced an initial ten fixtures to precede the 2012–13 season. These took in away games at League One sides Crewe Alexandra, Portsmouth, Tranmere Rovers and League Two sides Morecambe and Accrington Stanley. They also played five non league sides, Bamber Bridge, Radcliffe Borough, Chorley, Barrow and F.C. Halifax Town.[1] All five of the latter games, along with the game at Accrington Stanley and another game at Daisy Hill which was announced on 2 August,[2] were played by a Development squad. An additional game, the only one to be played at the Reebok Stadium, against FC Barcelona B, the reserve side of Barcelona, was announced on 29 June. On 6 June, a tour of Scotland was announced, with the team visiting Ayr United, Hamilton Academical and Falkirk.

Bolton began their pre-season games at Ayr United where they drew 1–1, Marcos Alonso scoring midway through the second half before Mark Roberts equalised for the home side. Three days later, Bolton travelled to Hamilton Academical where, after a quiet first half, Hamilton won the game with two quick goals through Andy Ryan and Stephen Hendrie. Bolton completed their Scottish tour with a trip to Falkirk four days later. Falkirk striker Lyle Taylor scored after just fifteen seconds, lobbing Ádám Bogdán, with Chris Eagles equalising fourteen minutes later. The game finished as a draw, meaning that Bolton finished their time in Scotland without a win.

The club's first game after returning to England was against Crewe Alexandra. Crewe took the lead on thirteen minutes through Max Clayton, but Bolton equalised when Martin Petrov converted a penalty midway though the first half. With no further goals scored, Bolton still remained without a win during the pre season. The first win of the pre-season came in the following game, when two early goals from Chris Eagles and David N'Gog, playing his first game after injury had kept him out of the previous fixtures, gave Bolton a 2–0 victory over Morecambe. This was followed by a 3–0 loss at Portsmouth, where the home side scored two goals through Kieran Djilali and Liam Lawrence, with Ashley Harris scoring a third in the second half. New signing Benik Afobe made his first appearance for Bolton as a substitute during the game. Afobe made his second appearance for the club, and scored a hat trick, in Bolton's penultimate pre season game, as they beat Tranmere Rovers 3–1, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro replying for the home team. Bolton concluded their pre-season with a 2–2 draw at home at Barcelona B. The home side, playing their only pre-season game at The Reebok Stadium, twice came from behind, Marvin Sordell and a Sergi Gómez own goal cancelling out efforts by Cristian Lobato and Iván Balliu.

Reserves

Championship

The fixtures for the 2012–13 season were announced on 18 June at 09:00 BST, and revealed that Bolton would begin the season away from home at manager Owen Coyle's former club Burnley on 18 August 2012.[3] On 15 August, midfielder Fabrice Muamba announced his retirement, following his cardiac arrest earlier in the year.[4]

August

The season did not get off to the best of starts, with Bolton losing at Burnley. Goals from Martin Paterson and Charlie Austin gave the home side a 2–0 win. Keith Andrews and Benik Afobe made their debuts for Bolton, Andrews starting and Afobe coming on as a second half substitute for Kevin Davies. This meant that Bolton began the season in the relegation zone, in twenty second place. Three days later, Bolton played their first home game of the season, against Derby County. After a goalless first half, Bolton took the lead through Kevin Davies with thirteen minutes left before Chris Eagles doubled the lead in added time to give Bolton their first win of the season and move them to fourteenth in the table. The following Friday, Bolton played in front of the television cameras for the first time this season, at home against Nottingham Forest. Forest took the lead when Lewis McGugan scored from thirty yards out, but Chris Eagles equalised shortly before half time after a Kevin Davies header came back off a post. Marvin Sordell gave Bolton the lead four minutes into the second half, before Andy Reid equalised for Forest, the game finishing as a 2–2 draw. After the weekend results, Bolton had climbed one place to thirteenth. Bolton's player of the month for August, was Chris Eagles[5]

September

Bolton began September away at Hull City on the first day of the month and took the lead through Chris Eagles' third goal of the season, a thirty five yard free kick. Sone Aluko scored an equaliser for the home side twelve minutes later before former Bolton player Abdoulaye Faye and Stephen Quinn scored two goals in quick succession shortly after half time to give Hull a 3–1 victory. Following their second defeat of the season, Bolton entered the first international break of the season in twentieth place in the division.

Bolton returned from the international break with a home fixture against Watford. A crowd of 16,608, Bolton's lowest league crowd since May 2001, saw Matt Mills score his first goal for the club early in the first half before Kevin Davies doubled the lead just before half time. Lloyd Doyley pulled one back for Watford, but Bolton held onto the lead and the victory took them up to eleventh in the table. However, the next game saw them fall back to fifteenth as they lost 2–1 at Birmingham City. An early Leroy Lita goal was cancelled out by Chris Eagles just before half time, but Marlon King scored from the penalty spot soon after the restart to give the home side the win. The following Saturday, Bolton picked up their first away win of the season at Sheffield Wednesday. Marcos Alonso scored his first goal of the season late in the first half, but Wednesday replied with a second half penalty by Ross Barkley. However, Bolton claimed the win when Mark Davies, with his own first goal of the season, regained the lead almost immediately. The win took Bolton up to thirteenth position, but they failed to capitilise on this victory by losing 1–0 at home to Crystal Palace the following Saturday, Glenn Murray scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Zat Knight had fouled Wilfried Zaha. Bolton's player of the month for September was Chris Eagles again, winning it for the second month in a row.[6]

October

A home game against Leeds United followed three days later. Kevin Davies scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season, but another conceded penalty, converted by Luciano Becchio, and a Sam Byram goal gave Leeds the draw. Bolton's last game before the next interanational break was away at Millwall. The home side took the lead through Darius Henderson midway through the first half but Chris Eagles equalised early in the second before missing a penalty. Bolton were ultimately punished for this miss by Henderson, who scored his second in stoppage time, giving Millwall the win. This meant that Bolton entered the international break in eighteenth place.

Three days later, on 9 October, manager Owen Coyle was relieved of his duties by the club, with Academy Director Jimmy Phillips and head of Academy Coaching and Development, and former club manager, Sammy Lee being placed in temporary charge.[7] Their first game in temporary charge was against Bristol City on 20 October. The away side took the lead early in the first half with Steven Davies scoring an overhead kick. He followed this up with a second from the penalty spot on twenty minutes. Chris Eagles scored from a free kick ten minutes later, his sixth of the season, to make the score 2–1 to Bristol City at half time. Jay Spearing scored his first goal for the club mid way through the second half to equalise and Martin Petrov scored with eight minutes to give Bolton a 3–2 win which moved them up to fifteenth. Bolton began a run of two away games on 23 October at Wolverhampton Wanderers with Phillips still in charge. Bolton took the lead through Benik Afobe's first league goal of the season but Wolves replied before half time with two Kevin Doyle goals within a three minute period. With time running out, former Wolves player Mark Davies scored in the first minute of stoppage time, his second of the season, to equalise. Despite getting a point, Bolton dropped a place in the table to sixteenth. Dougie Freedman was named Bolton manager on 25 October[8] with Phillips remaining in charge of team affairs for Bolton's next game away against Middlesbrough on 27 October. Bolton took the lead through Lee Chung-Yong's first goal of the season shortly before half time but two goals from Scott McDonald in the second half gave Middlesbrough the win. Following this loss, Bolton dropped two more places in the table to eighteenth. Bolton's player of the Month for October was again Eagles, winning the award three months in a row.[9]

November

After watching from the stands against Middlesbrough, Freedman took charge against league leaders Cardiff City on 3 November. Bolton fell behind in the fortieth minute to a Craig Noone goal. In the second half, Freedman brought on David N'Gog for captain Kevin Davies and N'Gog had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside[10] before winning a penalty in the sixty ninth minute after being tripped by Kim Bo-Kyung. Martin Petrov converted the penalty to equalise and then N'Gog himself scored in the seventy fourth minute to give Bolton a 2–1 lead before being sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence. Bolton held on for the three points, which moved them up one position in the table to seventeenth. Bolton's next game was three days later against Leicester City with the game finishing goalless, which kept Bolton in seventeenth. An away game at Blackpool followed on 10 November, marking Freedman's first away game as manager. Bolton took the lead early in the first half with Mark Davies' third of the season, but Blackpool equalised three minutes later through Thomas Ince. Bolton regained the lead late in the second half through Lee Chung-Yong's second of the season but Blackpool equalised again ten minutes later, with Nathan Delfouneso scoring. The game finished 2–2 and the point kept Bolton in seventeenth position for the third match running. The following weekend, Bolton's played at home against Barnsley. Kevin Davies opened the scoring midway through the first half with his fifth goal of the Season but Barnsley equalised through Craig Davies midway in the secnond half. The game finished 1–1, Bolton's third consecutive draw, and the point kept Bolton in seventeenth position for the fourth match in succession. Bolton's next match was against Brighton and Hove Albion. Ádám Bogdán saved a penalty from Brighton's Ashley Barnes in the first half and the home side also hit the post three times. Despite this, the first half finished goalless. Shortly after the break, Bruno Saltor Grau scored for Brighton to give them the lead. With the game heading towards a close, David N'Gog scored with the last kick of the game to equalise for Bolton. This was Bolton's fourth consecutive draw and they dropped one place in the table to eighteenth. Bolton's last match of November came four days later, away against their geographically closest divisional rivals, Blackburn Rovers. Wolverhampton Wanderers defeat the previous evening had already seen Bolton rise back to seventeenth. Kevin Davies, with his sixth goal of the season, scored early on and Bolton doubled the lead midway through the second half through Lee Chung-Yong's third of the season. Jordan Rhodes pulled one back for Blackburn with eight minutes to go, but Bolton held on to claim their second away win of the season and remained in the same position in the league. This win meant Bolton had gone the month of November undefeated, the first time they had managed to go a month unbeaten for two years. Bolton's Player of the Month was Kevin Davies[11]

December

Bolton's first game of December was at home against Ipswich Town. Bolton took the lead in the sixth minute through Mark Davies's fourth goal of the season. DJ Campbell equalised for Ipswich from the penalty spot with 20 minutes to go which was followed by a Michael Chopra winner for Ipswich in the last minute. This was Dougie Freedman's first loss as Bolton manager and was the end of Bolton's six game unbeaten run. Following the loss, Bolton dropped one place in the table to 18th. The following weekend, Bolton travelled to Huddersfield Town. Bolton went 1–0 down after a Zat Knight own goal. Bolton equalised through Mark Davies's 5th of the season and his second in consecutive games. Chris Eagles then missed a penalty but made up for it by scoring his 7th of the Season to put Bolton 2–1 up. However James Vaughan equalised for Huddersfield with three minutes to go, giving Bolton another draw, which left them in 18th. A week later Bolton played Charlton Athletic at home. With the scores level at 0–0 for nearly all the match, substitute David N'Gog scored twice in the space of six minutes in the final 15 minutes to win the game 2–0 for Bolton. The points moved Bolton up five places, from 18th to 13th. A week later, Bolton played bottom of the table Peterborough United. Within the first six minutes, Peterborough were 2–0 up through goals from Lee Tomlin and Dwight Gayle. Bolton pulled one back in first half stoppage time through a Keith Andrews penalty, his first goal of the season and his first for Bolton. Peterborough quickly got their two goal advantage back though after the break when George Thorne scored and it then became a three goal advantage when Mark Little scored. Andrews scored another penalty to reduce the deficit to two goals but Gabriel Zakuani scored to put it back to a three goal advantage for Peterborough. With 10 minutes to go, Bolton pulled two back through Benik Afobe's third of the season and Martin Petrov's third of the season, but it wasn't enough as the match ended in a 5–4 defeat. This defeat was Bolton's second of the month and it caused them to drop three places to 16th. Bolton's next game was against Sheffield Wednesday at home on Boxing Day. Wednesday won with a goal from Mamady Sidibe mid way through the first half. This was Bolton's second consecutive defeat. Despite defeat, Bolton remained in 16th. Bolton's final game of the year was at home to Birmingham City. After falling behind to a Nikola Žigić header after 11 minutes, Bolton equalised and then pulled ahead before the first half was over through goals from Marcos Alonso and Lee Chung-Yong, respectively. Keith Andrews then converted a second half penalty to wrap up the three points and send Bolton into the new year in 14th place, and eight points off the play-offs. Jay Spearing, on loan from Liverpool, was December's player of the month.

January

Bolton started 2013 with a loss at Leeds United, a solitary goal, scored by Luciano Becchio from the penalty spot, being the difference. A home draw against Millwall followed, with each team scoring a penalty in the first half. Andy Keogh converted for the away side before Keith Andrews equalised. Bolton's final league game of January saw Dougie Freedman return to Crystal Palace for the first time since leaving as well as Jacob Butterfield's first appearance against Bolton since his loan period finished. The match ended goalless, securing Bolton's first clean sheet in the league since the opening day of the 2011–12 season, as they spent the whole of the month in sixteenth position. Marvin Sordell was January's player of the month.

February

Bolton began February with a visit to Watford. The game saw Marvin Sordell's first return to his former club since leaving the previous year and it was the former Watford man who opened the scoring through a penalty midway through the first half. Watford equalised almost immediately when Matěj Vydra scored and completed the turn around in the second half through Almen Abdi. The result saw Bolton fall to twentieth place, three points off the relegation zone. Their next game was at home against Burnley. Burnley took the lead through David Edgar shortly after half-time. Craig Davies scored his first goal for Bolton 11 minutes later which was followed 25 minutes later by a David N'Gog winner, his fifth of the season. The win moved Bolton up three places to 17th. Bolton's next match was away to Nottingham Forest after falling behind to an Andy Reid goal in the 59th minute, Bolton survived heavy pressure and equalised through Craig Davies' second goal in as many matches in the 77th minute. The match finished level despite Marcos Alonso being sent off for two bookable offences with 10 minutes remaining to prevent returning Forest manager Billy Davies from starting his second spell in charge with a win. Against another of Brian Clough's former sides, Derby County, Bolton took the lead late in the first half with a headed goal that was initially attributed to Craig Dawson but was later given as an own goal by Derby captain Richard Keogh. Bolton could not hold on to their lead, however, and conceded to another headed goal in the 81st minute; Jamie Ward's 10th goal of the season. The draw left Bolton four points from the relegation zone and 12 points from the play-off positions. Bolton's next game was against 2nd placed Hull City. Within 8 minutes, Bolton were 3–0 up with goals from Darren Pratley; his first of the season, Mark Davies; his sixth of the season and Craig Dawson's first for the club. Robbie Brady pulled one back for Hull with a free-kick, but two minutes later Dawson scored again to give Bolton back their three goal cushion. This proved to be the last goal of the game and Bolton won 4–1. The win, their second consecutive at home, moved them up two places to 14th. On the following Tuesday, Bolton played Peterborough United, the reverse fixture of which finished 5–4 to the opposing side. After Craig Dawson's third goal in two games in the fifth minute, Bolton hung on for a slender victory, sending them to a season-high of 10th in the table. Loanee Craig Dawson was named as player of the month for February.[12]

March

Bolton's first match of the new month took place at Oakwell, against Barnsley. Bolton went into half-time with a two goal lead following goals from David N'Gog and then Jay Spearing. Barnsley pegged Bolton back to 2–2 in the second half through Tomasz Cywka and Chris O'Grady, but Craig Dawson scored his fourth goal in three games to hand Bolton the win, leaving them unbeaten in six with wins in each of their last three games and sending them above Nottingham Forest to ninth in the table. Three days later Bolton played local rivals Blackburn at home. Just as the game was looking to end in a goalless draw, Chris Eagles scored deep into injury time to win the game for Bolton. It was Eagles' first goal since December and was his 8th of the season. It was also Bolton's fourth consecutive home win, their fourth consecutive win and took their unbeaten spell to seven games. Bolton's next match was also at home, against Brighton & Hove Albion, who had occupied the final play-off spot before the match. Bolton won the match through a solitary Marcos Alonso goal in the first half, his third of the season. This allowed them to leapfrog Middlesbrough into 8th, two points behind Brighton and three behind Nottingham Forest in sixth place. Bolton's unbeaten streak came to an end against Ipswich Town at Portman Road, losing 1–0 to a late Carlos Edwards goal and leaving them five points off the play-offs going into the international break.

On 26 March, the club announced that they would not be offering long serving captain Kevin Davies a new deal and that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season after ten years of service.[13]

Bolton lost their first match after the international break away to Charlton Athletic. After initially going 2–0 up through Marvin Sordell and Mohamed Kamara's first for the club, Charlton hit back with three of their own, two of which came after Sam Ricketts was sent off for a second bookable offence. Bolton then had Craig Davies sent off in injury time. Bolton's player of the month for March was named as Marcos Alonso.

April

Bolton's first match of April was against Huddersfield Town at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton looked to extend their home winning streak to six games and they succeeded in this endeavor courtesy of a Chris Eagles goal in the second half. In their next game Bolton looked to make it seven consecutive wins at home for the first time since under Bruce Rioch in 1995. Two goals in the first 10 minutes from David N'Gog and Marcos Alonso and no reply from Wolves ensured they obtained the win and a fifth successive clean sheet at home. Bolton collected only their fourth away win of the season at Ashton Gate against bottom club Bristol City. A Liam Fontaine own goal gave Bolton the lead before Steven Davies equalisied for City. Craig Davies scored from the penalty spot, his third of the season, to give Bolton the three points. The win moved Bolton into the play-off spots for the first time this season. They were not able to follow this up with another away win, however, as they lost to fellow play-off chasers Leicester City. Bolton had initially taken the lead in the third minute through a penalty which David N'Gog converted for his eighth goal of the campaign. Leicester hit back with two goals in three minutes towards the end of the first half; the goals coming from a Chris Wood penalty and Lloyd Dyer. Bolton equalised through Darren Pratley, but it wasn't enough as Jeff Schlupp volleyed home to send Bolton back to the Reebok with no points. Following this result, Bolton dropped to seventh place with Leicester City taking the vacated final play-off spot. Looking to extend their unbeaten home run in their penultimate home match of the season against Middlesbrough, Bolton forced their way back into the play-offs at the expense of Leicester. After a goalless first half, Bolton took the lead when Chris Eagles' cross looped over 'keeper Jason Steele. Middlesbrough equalised with a header from Kieron Dyer but three minutes later Darren Deadman awarded a penalty to Bolton after Jonathan Woodgate brought down Lee Chung-Yong. Marvin Sordell scored the penalty to give Bolton the win. Woodgate was later given a second caution and was sent off for pulling back Marvin Sordell. Bolton's final match of the month and penultimate match of the season came against champions Cardiff City. Chris Eagles side-footed in the opener in the 18th minute, sending Bolton into half-time 1–0 up. However, winger Craig Noone, who also scored in the reverse fixture, levelled the scores with a free-kick in the 68th minute. Dougie Freedman was named as manager of the month for April.[14]

May

On the final day of the season, Bolton faced Blackpool, who had confirmed their safety the previous weekend. Needing a win to all but confirm a play-off place,[15] Bolton fell behind to goals from Matt Phillips and Ludovic Sylvestre, while Nottingham Forest and Leicester City were drawing 1–1. Bolton pulled it back level with two quick-fire goals in injury time of the first half, the first Chris Eagles' twelfth goal of the season and the second a deflected Craig Davies shot. However, a ninetieth minute winner for Leicester City meant that the draw was not enough as Leicester overtook them into sixth place.

Table

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
5 Crystal Palace (O) (P) 46 19 15 12 73 62+11 72 Qualification to Championship Playoffs
6 Leicester City 46 19 11 16 71 48+23 68
7 Bolton Wanderers 46 18 14 14 69 61+8 68
8 Nottingham Forest 46 17 16 13 63 59+4 67
9 Charlton Athletic 46 17 14 15 65 59+6 65

Updated to games played on 4 May 2013.
Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

FA Cup

Bolton entered the FA Cup at the Third Round stage with the other Championship clubs, as well as those from the Premier League. The draw was made on 2 December 2012 by former Bolton player Fabrice Muamba and Ledley King; Bolton were drawn against Premier League team, Sunderland at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton took a 2–0 lead with goals from Lee Chung-Yong and Marvin Sordell, but Sunderland fought back for a draw through Connor Wickham and Craig Gardner, meaning there will be a replay at the Stadium of Light. Bolton won the replay 2–0, with both goals coming from Marvin Sordell; his first from the penalty spot. Stuart Holden played only his second match since being injured by Jonny Evans in March 2011. Facing Everton in the next round, Bolton went 1–0 down in the 18th minute to a Steven Pienaar goal, before Marvin Sordell scored his fourth goal in the competition to equalise. However, in the first minute of stoppage time, substitute Johnny Heitinga scored from the edge of the penalty area to send Bolton out of the FA Cup.

League Cup

Bolton entered the League Cup at the Second Round stage alongside Blackburn Rovers, as both clubs were given a bye meaning they would avoid playing in the first round, along with those Premier League clubs that were not involved in European competition.[16] on 15 August, Bolton were drawn away at Crawley Town. This will be the first competitive fixture between the clubs. Bolton took the lead in the first half when Benik Afobe scored his first goal from the club but two late goals from Billy Clarke and Nicky Ajose in the last 10 minutes gave Crawley a 2–1 win and knocked Bolton out of the League Cup.

Squad statistics

No. Pos. Name League FA Cup League Cup Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1GKHungary Ádám Bogdán 410000041020
2DFEngland Tyrone Mears 260200028060
3DFSpain Marcos Alonso 264301030481
4DFEngland Matt Mills 181000018110
5DFUnited States Tim Ream 150101017000
7MFEngland Chris Eagles 43123010461230
8MFRepublic of Ireland Keith Andrews 254101027450
9FWFrance David N'Gog 318200033811
10MFBulgaria Martin Petrov 143101016300
11MFScotland Gregg Wylde 0000000000
12DFEngland Zat Knight 430301047080
14FWEngland Kevin Davies 356201038650
15DFEngland Stephen Warnock 150000015040
15DFEngland Craig Dawson 164000016420
16MFEngland Mark Davies 246001025660
17FWEngland Benik Afobe 202201123310
17FWEngland Robert Hall 1000001000
18DFWales Sam Ricketts 320300035051
19FWEngland Marvin Sordell 224341026820
20MFEngland Jay Spearing 372200039270
21MFEngland Darren Pratley 3123010352100
22MFUnited States Stuart Holden 2020004000
23DFEngland Joe Riley 0010102000
24GKEngland Andy Lonergan 5030109000
25MFEngland Josh Vela 4020107000
26GKEngland Rob Lainton 0000000000
27MFSouth Korea Lee Chung-Yong 414310044540
28FWWales Craig Davies 184000018431
28DFEngland Andy Kellett 0000000000
29MFEngland Jacob Butterfield 8000008020
29MFSlovakia Ján Greguš 0000000000
30FWScotland Michael O'Halloran 0000000000
31DFEngland David Wheater 4000004000
32FWEngland Tom Eaves 3000003000
33MFEngland Adam Blakeman 0000000000
34GKEngland Jay Lynch 0000000000
35MFScotland Joe McKee 0000000000
36DFRepublic of Ireland Cian Bolger 0000000000
37FWEngland Jack Sampson 0000000000
38FWEngland Sanmi Odelusi 1000001000
39DFEngland Alex McQuade 0000000000
40FWEngland Zach Clough 0000000000
41MFEngland Chris Lester 0000000000
42MFBelgium Steve De Ridder 3000003010
43DFEngland Danny Butterfield 6000006000
44MFSierra Leone Mohamed Kamara 121000012100
––Own goals –1–0–0–1

Statistics accurate as of match played 4 May 2013

Transfers

Summer

At the end of the 2011–12 season, the club confirmed that they had released seven first-team players, along with reserve-team players Mark Connolly, Rhys Bennett, Tope Obadeyi, Tom Eckersley and Dino Fazlic. Among those released was Ricardo Gardner, who had been with the club since 1998, and was the second longest-serving player in the squad. Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker invoked a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave, as the club had been relegated. Bolton had also offered Zat Knight and Jussi Jääskeläinen new contracts, but at the end of May, Jääskeläinen declined the contract offer and left the club after 15 years, leaving striker Kevin Davies as the club's longest-serving player. Jääskeläinen would later join former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce at West Ham United. Bolton's first signing of the pre season was made on 29 June, with free agent Keith Andrews joining. Matt Mills followed him into the club on 4 July, signing from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee. Joe McKee became Bolton's third signing reuniting with Owen Coyle who had bought him for Burnley three years prior. On 17 July, Bolton strengthened their goalkeeping line up with the signing of Andrew Lonergan from Leeds United, again for an undisclosed fee. Bolton's first signing of August saw Benik Afobe sign on a season long loan from Arsenal but in January 2013, it was cut short by five months as Arsenal recalled him from his loan. On transfer deadline day, Jay Spearing joined from Liverpool on a season's long loan, while Michael O'Halloran joined Carlisle United for a month. However, he returned twelve days later.

Bolton made their first signing of the loan transfer window on 21 September by bringing in Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock on a three month loan. Six days later, reserve striker Tom Eaves joined Bristol Rovers on a three month loan deal. Another reserve team striker, Jack Sampson, joined Accrington Stanley on a one month loan deal on 11 October. Bolton signed Jacob Butterfield on a one months loan deal from Norwich City on 8 November. The loan deal was extended for another Month on 10 December. On 22 November, loan transfer deadline day, Gregg Wylde joined nearby Bury for a month whilst O'Halloran went on loan again, this time to Tranmere Rovers. O'Halloran's loan was extended for another month in January which was then extended until the end of the season on deadline day.

Winter

Bolton's first action of the January transfer window was to bring in Welsh international Craig Davies from Barnsley for £300,000. On 14 January, Bolton allowed Martin Petrov to join Spanish Team Espanyol for free. Bolton followed this with the signings of England under-21 international Craig Dawson on loan from West Brom (three months) and Slovakia under 21 international Ján Greguš on loan from Czech team Baník Ostrava (a year). Bolton had a busy transfer deadline day, 31 January, as they started by making the signing of young defender Cian Bolger from Leicester City on a three-and-a-half year deal, but the manager Dougie Freedman confirmed he would start in the development squad. Then, it was confirmed that Bolton had made the signing of Steve De Ridder on loan from Southampton (one-month initially), and followed it up with the signing of Sierra Leone defensive midfielder Mohamed "Medo" Kamara from Serbian club Partizan on a three-and-a-half year deal. It was also annonuced that Benik Afobe had gone back to his parent club Arsenal after Bolton cut his loan deal short.

The first deal of the new loan window took place on 21 February and saw Tom Eaves go out for his second loan spell of the season, this time an initial one month deal to Shrewsbury Town which was later extended for another month. On 28 March, Bolton loaned out Stuart Holden to Sheffield Wednesday for a month and loaned in Robert Hall from West Ham until the end of the season and manager Dougie Freedman's former Crystal Palace team-mate Danny Butterfield from Southampton on an emergency loan deal until 4 May.

In

Date Pos. Name From Fee
1 July 2012 MF Republic of Ireland Keith Andrews England West Bromwich Albion[17] Free
4 July 2012 DF England Matt Mills England Leicester City[18] Undisclosed
5 July 2012 MF Scotland Joe McKee England Burnley[19] Free
17 July 2012 GK England Andy Lonergan England Leeds United[20] Undisclosed
9 January 2013 FW Wales Craig Davies England Barnsley[21] Undisclosed
31 January 2013 DF Republic of Ireland Cian Bolger England Leicester City[22] Undisclosed
31 January 2013 MF Sierra Leone Medo Kamara Serbia Partizan Belgrade[23] Undisclosed

Out

Date Pos. Name To Fee
18 May 2012 MF Jamaica Ricardo Gardner Released[24] Free
18 May 2012 DF Iceland Gretar Steinsson Turkey Kayserispor[24] Free
18 May 2012 FW Croatia Ivan Klasnic Germany Mainz 05[24][25] Free
18 May 2012 MF England Nigel Reo-Coker EnglandIpswich Town[24][26] Free
18 May 2012 DF England Paul Robinson England Birmingham City[24][27] Free
18 May 2012 MF England Sean Davis Released[24] Free
18 May 2012 FW England Robbie Blake England Doncaster Rovers[24][28] Free
18 May 2012 DF Republic of Ireland Mark Connolly England Crawley Town[24][29] Free
18 May 2012 FW England Tope Obadeyi Portugal Rio Ave[24][30] Free
18 May 2012 DF England Rhys Bennett England Rochdale[24][31] Free
18 May 2012 MF Bosnia and Herzegovina Dino Fazlic Released[24] Free
18 May 2012 DF England Tom Eckersley England Accrington Stanley[24][32] Free
30 May 2012 GK Finland Jussi Jääskeläinen England West Ham United[24][33] Free
14 January 2013 MF Bulgaria Martin Petrov Spain Espanyol[34] Free
30 April 2013 DF England Alex McQuade England Shrewsbury Town[35] Free

Loan in

Date from Date to Pos. Name From
3 August 2012 31 January 2013 FW England Benik Afobe England Arsenal[36][37]
31 August 2012 30 June 2013 MF England Jay Spearing England Liverpool[38]
21 September 2012 22 December 2012 DF England Stephen Warnock England Aston Villa[39]
8 November 2012 5 January 2013 MF England Jacob Butterfield England Norwich City[40][41]
25 January 2013 27 April 2013 DF England Craig Dawson England West Brom[42]
25 January 2013 January 2014 MF Slovakia Ján Greguš Czech Republic Baník Ostrava[43]
31 January 2013 3 March 2013 MF Belgium Steve De Ridder England Southampton[44]
28 March 2013 30 June 2013 FW England Robert Hall England West Ham[45]
28 March 2013 4 May 2013 DF England Danny Butterfield England Southampton[46]

Loan out

Date from Date to Pos. Name To
31 August 2012 11 September 2012 FW Scotland Michael O'Halloran England Carlisle United[47][48]
27 September 2012 31 December 2012 FW England Tom Eaves England Bristol Rovers[49]
11 October 2012 11 November 2012 FW England Jack Sampson England Accrington Stanley[50]
22 November 2012 22 January 2013 MF Scotland Gregg Wylde England Bury[51]
22 November 2012 30 June 2013 FW Scotland Michael O'Halloran England Tranmere Rovers[52][53][54]
21 February 2013 15 April 2013 FW England Tom Eaves England Shrewsbury Town[55][56]
28 March 2013 24 April 2013 MF United States Stuart Holden England Sheffield Wednesday[57]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2787245,00.html
  2. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/bolton-xi-to-face-daisy-hill-2.8.12-289093.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2814866,00.html
  4. ↑ "Fabrice Muamba Statement". bwfc.co.uk. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  5. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/eagles-wins-monthly-club-award-6.9.12-355891.aspx
  6. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/eagles-receives-the-fans-vote-04.10.12-407740.aspx
  7. ↑ "Owen Coyle is sacked by Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport/sport. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  8. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/freedman-appointed-25.10.12-446613.aspx
  9. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484529484920734&set=a.285636874809997.71502.260216390685379&type=1&theater
  10. ↑ "Bolton 2 Cardiff 1: Freedman off to winning start as Ngog completes comeback". Daily Mail (SportMail). 3 November 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  11. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=495409783832704&set=a.285636874809997.71502.260216390685379&type=1&theater
  12. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=544711868902495&set=a.285636874809997.71502.260216390685379&type=1&theater
  13. ↑ "Club statement: Kevin Davies". Bolton Wanderers. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  14. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/boss-wins-monthly-award-17.5.13-825974.aspx
  15. ↑ David Pye (30 April 2013). "A win will do for Bolton Wanderers but they need to bear goal difference in mind". The Bolton News. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  16. ↑ http://www.clubcall.com/bolton-wanderers/bolton-get-football-league-bye-1434840.html
  17. ↑ "Andrews Signs". Bolton Wanderers. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "Wanderers Seal Mills Deal". Bolton Wanderers. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Five Sign Pro Deal". Bolton Wanderers. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Wanderers Recruit Lonergan Deal". Bolton Wanderers. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  21. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/wanderers-land-davies-9.1.13-587586.aspx
  22. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/bolger-deal-confirmed-31.1.13-631679.aspx
  23. ↑ "Kamara signs for Wanderers". BWFC. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 24.8 24.9 24.10 24.11 24.12 "Bolton Wanderers allow 15 to leave after relegation". BBC Sport. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  25. ↑ "Mainz sign Ivan Klasnic to 1-year deal". ESPN. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  26. ↑ Pearce, Steve (13 October 2012). "NIGEL REO-COKER JOINS TOWN". Ipswich Town F.C. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  27. ↑ Walker, Andy (25 September 2012). "Robinson recruited". Birmingham City F.C. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  28. ↑ "Striker Blake Joins Rovers". doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 2012-06-27. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
  29. ↑ "Connolly joins Reds". crawleytownfc.com. 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  30. ↑ "Season 2012/2013: Tope Odabeyi". rioave-fc.pt. Rio Ave F.C. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  31. ↑ "Rochdale sign Bolton Wanderers defender Rhys Bennett". BBC Sport. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  32. ↑ "Eckersley Agrees Deal". accringtonstanley.co.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  33. ↑ "Jussi agrees terms". whufc.com. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  34. ↑ http://www.rcdespanyol.com/ingles/index.php?modulo=detalleNoticia&idnoticia=867&idseccion=7&Amenu=detalleNoticia
  35. ↑ "Defender set to sign today". www.shrewsburytown.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  36. ↑ "Afobe Joins On Loan". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  37. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/afobe-returns-to-arsenal-1.2.13-633246.aspx
  38. ↑ "Spearing Deal Complete". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  39. ↑ "Warnock Joins Wanderers". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  40. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/butterfield-joins-on-loan-08.11.12-475813.aspx
  41. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20665357
  42. ↑ "Dawson joins on loan". BWFC. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  43. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/gregus-deal-finalised-25.1.13-618668.aspx
  44. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/de-ridder-signs-on-loan-31.1.13-631851.aspx
  45. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/hall-signs-on-loan-28.3.13-739224.aspx
  46. ↑ https://twitter.com/OfficialBWFC/status/317317348795224066
  47. ↑ "O'Halloran Loaned to Carlisle". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  48. ↑ "O'Halloran returns to Bolton". carlisleunited.co.uk. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  49. ↑ "Eaves Joins Bristol Rovers On Loan". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  50. ↑ "Accrington Stanley sign Jack Sampson from Bolton on loan". BBC Sport. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  51. ↑ "Wylde Loaned To Bury". bwfc.co.uk. 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  52. ↑ "Tranmere Switch For O'Halloran". bwfc.co.uk. 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  53. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/ohalloran-loan-extended-7.1.13-584770.aspx
  54. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/ohallorans-loan-extended-31.1.13-631563.aspx
  55. ↑ "Eaves Joins Shrews". bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  56. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/eaves-extends-shrews-stay-25.3.13-733074.aspx
  57. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/holden-loaned-to-owls-28.3.13-739238.aspx