Foot in Both Camps: Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic

With derby day against our local rivals Wigan Athletic fast approaching, bwfc.co.uk have picked a selection of players who have represented both sides involved on Saturday afternoon in the Sky Bet Championship.

Antonee Robinson

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Robinson joined the Whites from parent club Everton in August 2017 on a loan deal until January, which was extended until the end of the 2017/18 season.

In that particular campaign, Robinson was a pivotal figure for Phil Parkinson’s side at left back, helping Wanderers escape relegation on the final day of the season against Nottingham Forest. 

This season, the American international joined the Latics on loan. He has been a regular in Paul Cook’s side so far this year, but an ankle injury on international duty, which will see him miss out on facing his former team.

Ali Al-Habsi

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The Omani goalkeeper signed for Bolton from Norwegian club, Lyn Oslo, back in 2006. 

From there, Al-Habsi would play sparingly due to the prominence of Jussi Jaaskelainen, but he always has a special place in Whites’ fans hearts for his exploits in the UEFA Cup in 2007/08.

He started in goal against Bayern Munich in November 2007, where Wanderers managed to draw 2-2 against the German giants.

Al-Habsi then joined Wigan on an initial loan from Wanderers in 2010/11, before making the move permanent the following season.

He was a part of the Wigan squad that won the 2012/13 F.A Cup, beating Manchester City in the Final.

Per Frandsen

Danish midfielder Frandsen joined the Trotters in 1996 from F.C Copenhagen and scored his first goal for the club against Manchester City.

He helped the Whites earned promotion to the Premier League in 1996/97.

After a brief spell at Blackburn Rovers, Per returned to BL6 and was involved in the squad that reached the 2004 League Cup Final against Middlesbrough.

At the back end of his career, Frandsen joined Wigan Athletic and aided them in getting promoted to the Premier League, however injuries took their tole and the Dane was forced to retire from playing.

Andrew Taylor

Taylor joined the Latics from Cardiff City in 2014, after the Bluebirds achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2012/13.

In his single season with the club, Taylor made 26 league appearances for Wigan in a season which saw them relegated to Sky Bet League One.

In August 2016, Taylor joined Wanderers on loan for the entire 2016/17 season.

It was a season to remember for Taylor and the rest of the squad, as they achieved promotion to the Sky Bet Championship with the left back playing a pivotal part in that campaign.

He then made his move to BL6 permanent in May 2017, signing a two-year deal.

Yanic Wildschut

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In the 2015/16 season, the Dutchman joined Wigan on loan from Middlesbrough until January.

This move became permanent in that month after impressing highly during his short time at the DW Stadium. 

By the end of the season, Wildschut was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside former Whites defender Reece Wabara, as the Latics reached promotion to the Sky Bet Championship.

Following joining Norwich City permanently in January 2017, Wildschut had a spell with Cardiff City on loan before joining the Whites on loan in July 2018.

Simon Farnworth

Born in Chorley, Farnworth joined his local side Bolton Wanderers in 1981. 

In his six-year stay at the Whites, Farnworth made over 100 appearances for the club.

In 1993, the goalkeeper joined Wigan Athletic, where he spent three years and make over 100 appearances for the Latics before retiring in 1996.

Scott Green

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The Walsall born defender joined Wanderers in 1990 from Derby County for a reported fee of £50,000.

Whilst with the Whites, he made an appearance in the 1991 play-off final against Tranmere Rovers, as well as the 1995 League Cup Final against Liverpool. 

From near misses on silverware to the real deal, as Green played his part in aiding Wanderers to the First Division title in 1996/97 and a berth in the Premier League. 

Following on from that, Green joined Wigan Athletic where he won the Football League Trophy in 1998/99.

With over 400 appearances combined from each side, he is a must on this list. 

David Lee

Lee joined Wanderers in 1992 from Southampton, after playing over 200 times prior to that at Bury.

Five year later and Lee had become a household name around Bolton for his impressive performances in a Whites jersey.

He played in the 1995 League Cup Final against Liverpool, before winning the First Division with Bolton in 1996/97. 

In 1997, he joined Wigan Athletic for a reported fee of £250,000 and netted 11 goals in his three years at the club. 

Nowadays, Lee is heavily involved in the academy setup here at Bolton Wanderers as manager of the Whites development squad.

Last year alongside good friend Tony Kelly, he managed his side to the Professional Development League national title, beating Nottingham Forest U23s at the City Ground to claim to trophy. 

Tony Kelly

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Nicknamed ‘Zico’, the midfield maestro joined Wanderers in 1991 from Shrewsbury Town for a reported £100,000.

In his three years with the Whites, Kelly made 142 appearances with eight goals to his name.

He was involved in the side that gained promotion to the First Division in 1992/93, where Wanderers finished second in the Second Division.

Prior to this, Kelly signed for Wigan Athletic in January 1984. He made over 100 appearances for the Latics and was named Player of the Year in 1985. 

As well as this, Kelly won the Football League Trophy in the very same season.

Adam Le Fondre

                                        

Following spells at Reading and Cardiff City, Le Fondre joined the Whites on loan in January 2015. He scored eight goals in 17 games.

A further loan spell to Wanderers occurred in 2016/17, where he was involved in the Whites' promotion to the Sky Bet Championship. 

He joined permanently the following summer, where he scored seven goals in 38 appearances and notched a particularly important goal against Nottingham Forest on the final day to help steer the club away from relegation in dramatic fashion. 

In the middle of Alfie’s two spells with Bolton, he had a loan spell with the Latics from August 2016 until January 2017. 

Reece Wabara

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The former Manchester City spent the back end of the 2015/16 season with the Latics, as they gained promotion to Sky Bet Championship the very same year.

Personal accolades followed suit, in the form of a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for that season alongside current Whites midfielder, Yanic Wildschut. 

In February 2017, the former England Under-20 international joined Wanderers until the end of the season. 

Now, Wabara has put his playing days behind him to focus on his own fashion brand, Manière de Voir.

Other notable names who have ties to both sides involved in this clash include Ralph Gubbins, Craig Davies, Emile Heskey, Warren Joyce, Alex Perry, Gareth Farrelly, Andy Kellett and current Wanderers goalkeeping coach Lee Butler.

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