Wanderers' memorable opening day encounters

It seems safe to say that come Fixture Release Day, Wanderers’ opening day encounter is always one of the first games that fans look for on the list.

And ahead of tomorrow’s release, bwfc.co.uk takes a look back at the club’s exploits on the first day of the campaign, casting an eye over a selection of memorable meetings in recent years...

Saturday 18 August 2001
Leicester City 0-5 Bolton Wanderers
(Nolan 15’+ 41’, Ricketts 33’, Frandsen 45’ + 83’)

Wanderers ran riot at Filbert Street on their return to the Premiership 16 seasons ago, racing into a four goal half time lead against the Foxes courtesy of a Kevin Nolan Brace and efforts from Michael Ricketts and Per Frandsen, with the latter adding a fifth seven minutes from time.

Saturday 14 August 2004
Bolton Wanderers 4-1 Charlton Athletic
(Okocha 11’ + 59’, Pedersen 30’ + 72’; Lisbie 67’)

Birthday boy Jay-Jay Okocha was the star man for the Whites as his brace, coupled with two goals from Henrik Pedersen, helped Bolton record an emphatic opening day victory over Charlton Athletic with Kevin Lisbie’s reply for the Addicks merely scant consolation.

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Saturday 13 August 2005
Aston Villa 2-2 Bolton Wanderers
(K Davies 6’, Campo 8’; Phillips 4’, Davis 9’)

Four goals in the opening nine minutes of Wanderers’ clash with Aston Villa ensured a frantic opener at Villa Park, with Kevin Davies and Ivan Campo cancelling out Kevin Phillips’ fourth minute strike before Steve Davis drew level for the home side.

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Saturday 19 August 2006
Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
(K Davies 9’, Campo 13’)

Wanderers hit Spurs early on in their meeting at the Reebok Stadium in August 2006, with Kevin Davies breaking the deadlock inside nine minutes before a long range effort from Ivan just four minutes later doubled the Trotters’ advantage - one remained the same at the final whistle.

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Saturday 16 August 2008
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Stoke City
(Steinsson 34’, K Davies 41', Elmander 45’; Fuller 90’)

An emphatic display from Bolton at the Reebok Stadium secured victory on the opening day of the 2008/09 campaign as Gretar Steinsson, Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander all struck inside the first period, with Ricardo Fuller netting a consolation in second half injury time for the Potters.

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Saturday 13 August 2011
Queens Park Rangers 0-4 Bolton Wanderers
(Cahill 45', Gabbidon og 67’, Klasnic 70’, Muamba 79’)

Bolton swept aside Premier League new boys QPR at Loftus Road with a dominant display in the capital as Gary Cahill, Ivan Klasnic and Fabrice Muamba found the back of the net alongside an own goal from Danny Gabbidon to down ten-man Rangers.

Saturday 6 August 2016
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Sheffield United
(Spearing 37')

Jay Spearing's first half volley proved to be the difference against eventual champions Sheffield United on the first day of the 2016/17 campaign, with Wanderers going on to finish as runners-up to the Blades come the conclusion of the season in late April.

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