Jimmy Phillips says that Saturday afternoon will be a special moment for himself – but only if Wanderers can record the correct result.
The former defender, who has been involved with the club for the last 24 years, will get the opportunity to take control of the team he supported as a child.
Phillips revealed that he will be the one who is ultimately responsible for selecting the players who start the match, but he will be closely considering the input of both Sammy Lee and Julian Darby before deciding the 11 named individuals on the team sheet.
“It will be a very proud occasion,” he said. “I have managed to go from supporter, season ticket holder, to youth team player, reserve team coach to working with the first team.
“When I was a first team player I started my coaching badges four years before retiring as I always wanted to be a coach.
“I was lucky enough to get a job as youth team coach here and have worked at all the different levels - youth team, reserve team and first team.
“Yet again this is a different challenge. I have certainly enjoyed the first week and hopefully come 5pm on Saturday we will have a positive result and a good performance to go with it.”
Speaking about the team of coaches who are currently working with him, Phillips added: “I think the good thing from our point of view is that we are not just three people who have been put together by the Chairman on Tuesday morning.
“We are three people who have worked together since February and all three of us have played for Bolton.
“Sammy and I worked together in the 2005 season during the UEFA Cup years, so we know what each other’s strengths are - we do work well together.
“Julian and I are from the town and have supported the club, dating back to when we were both ball boys at Burnden Park. We both had some good times as players, so we know exactly what it means to the supporters.
“We are going to do our best to get some points quickly, climb up the table and certainly make sure the team are around the places challenging for promotion.”