Bolton Wanderers' biggest game in YEARS is this Saturday

It's been a long, hard road for the Bolton Wanderers to get to this point. From administration to almost-dissolution to redemption...Bolton now find themselves in a position to control their own promotion destiny in League One.
But they have to get through the top team in the league this Saturday to do it.
Here's a look at their possible path to promotion as we wind down the season.
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Credits:
Bolton Wanderers
Peterborough United
Portsmouth FC
Derby County
Canva
FotMob
Google
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Why I care
1:20 - A brief look at Bolton's recent history
2:22 - Bolton's big opportunity/standings
4:26 - News flash: Portsmouth is good
5:41 - What if Bolton don't win Saturday?
6:11 - The Peterborough Problem
7:43 - What about Derby County?
8:04 - Conclusion/final thoughts

[@stephenjerome4135]

As a Pompey fan I can't deny that I will feel a little nervous as well tomorrow knowing we can actually clinch the league one title with a win at Bolton. It's definitely a big game for both teams that's for sure. It would be great to see Pompey, Derby and Bolton, 3 of the big clubs in league one get promoted to the championship this season. I will say good luck you guys tomorrow, but I think we will just have a little too much for you in this one. COYB 🔵 ⚪ 🔵

[@nicholastullett5653]

I agree. Being a Pompey fan since childhood, I'm 72 and living in Canada and still follow them, I hope for a Pompey win.

[@99sparso]

Keep the faith. WE GOT THIS! 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️🔵⚪️🔵

[@More-than-ladyboys]

PUP! 🔵⚪️

[@DrunkChimp]

Brilliant video Tom! Love from a Bolton Wanderers fan. Shame we didn't get the win we deserved on the day, but 3 games to go... 🤞I hope you follow us more regularly. It's never boring being a Bolton fan!

[@Joe-od2rr]

As a Bolton fan great knowledge mate you need to come visit again soon 👍🏼

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Thank you! Glad I could do you guys a service.

[@binoculascus7603]

Up the posh... seriously going to be a close run promotion race between us, bolton and derby. That isnt to mention pompey though, they've certainly proven themselves a championship side in recent months - that run of form with their injuries is very impressive.

[@Oz-zy3ie]

"The Bolton Wanderers", it's certainly got a ring to it.... It might just catch on!!

[@mrannonymous4822]

Like the time Shawn Michaels referred to Blackburn as "The Blackburn Rovers" 😅

[@michaelharding4556]

Peter-bro , shrews-berry 😂 love it As a the Pompey fan afraid to say we will win the league on sat!!! And don't get me started on whos had it harder with administration!

[@TheWeightliftingTriathlete]

​@@michaelharding4556isn't it shocking that Portsmouth, Derby, Bolton and my own club Reading have been well and truly screwed over with bad owners. Good luck for Saturday.

[@darrenfrancis5042]

Play Up Pompey!!! 👋

[@falconpunch8734]

Great Video mate from a Bolton fan. Congrats to Pompey on being champs, great club. Respect

[@andre-dx4yw]

dont care much who comes 2nd. Play up Pompey!

[@flipflop1975ify]

Should be a great game at the Rocking Reebok! If Bolton play to their full potential they should win this one, but you'll soon learn that with Bolton nothing is straightforward 👌

[@hayleytatlock7660]

Love this! Thank you for covering our beloved club. Subscribed 🤍

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Legend! Thanks Hayley!

[@northernmonkeyplaystgames3121]

Really like this KZbin, first video I watched was the bwfc Does his research on teams ... I'm nouvous but excited for tomorrow's match . Collins is on fire and we have baxter back in goal ... unfortunately this season we haven't shown up for games again pourtsmouth and Wigan. BUt I'm hoping returned a corner and we lowlife we know we can... coywm good luck to the rest of the teams fighting for promotion /survival

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Thank you!

[@ryanwood4929]

A video on Bolton? You’re the man

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

You guys have been class since I visited on April Fools Day...felt like returning the favor!

[@SuperPompey77]

PUP from Victoria, Canada. Let's do this!

[@simonolive7574]

Fantastic vlog. I can’t wait for the game tomorrow. Huge game and massive crowd on. Come on you whites.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

I'll be cheering for you guys!

[@teddy5494]

I'm going tomorrow, we are going to win and win the league, PLAY UP POMPEY

[@lpe1000]

Not a prayer, you'll have plenty of time to cry about it on the way home😂

[@teddy5494]

@@lpe1000 2-0 pompey, And we are on the pitch

[@lpe1000]

@teddy5494 well, now you look stupid, well done for getting promoted, but I think we showed that we're the best team in league 1, was so disappointed with Portsmouth, time wasting,diving and generally 2nd best just a repeat of the 1st game where you got lucky. Can't wait for you to do a Sheffield Wednesday, which you will, kamara back to Norwich and we don't need to talk about the rest in todays performance,BWFC showed you today that they are the better footballing team,played you off the park, you're going down next year 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@northwalesmod]

1_1And your on the BUS 😂

[@lpe1000]

@@northwalesmod being second best🤣🤣

[@simonwilliams195]

Excellent video Tom! You've clearly been doing your research dude. Love the stats, transitions and graphics. Look forward to a potential Doncaster video of this quality, especially after 7 straight wins ;)

[@randombloke8802]

Keep going mate, love your videos about the Bolton Wanderers!

[@user-fg5fh9ps5u]

Thanks for talking about my team Bolton Wanderers did you know Bolton scored the first ever league goal in the world in 1888 at pike Lane v Derby county Kenny Davenport scored

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

I didn't! Very interesting!

[@markbroadhurst7932]

Great knowledge dude! Hoping Bolton get promoted :D

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Hoping as well!

[@alexkidd93]

Love your bolton videos. Reebok stadium is in fact correct 😂 appreciate your research and knowledge

[@David-jw5ro]

Liked & subscribed So after watching your first ever football match here in the UK I found it fascinating how you would react to my team Bolton Wanderers, the vlog showed how neutral and honest you were on the day. I also noticed you purchased a Bolton Wanderers scarf which would not look out of place in this background vlog 😎 My thoughts on our promotion is a positive one you may ask, my reasons are valid so until your next vlog regarding Bolton Wanderers, take care and thanks for sharing.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

The Bolton scarf is actually higher up! It's just out of frame: twitter.com/TomFranklinSTL/status/1778115880083230777/video/1 I was pleasantly surprised at how well I was treated (we hear stories in the States at how rough away fans can be treated in Europe) and how well I've been treated despite going to Bolton as an away fan. You're a real class group of fans and I'm glad to be doing some content for you all going forward.

[@David-jw5ro]

​@@SoccerZombieSTL You can get the odd incident in English football but it is no different than any other sport, it is a small minority, I'm quite sure there is worse in the States. Thank you for the compliment about our fans, feedback from a neutral fan is always good to hear. Bolton v Portsmouth is a game I am really looking forward to 26 to 27,000 fans are expected with Portsmouth fans bringing 2,000. Thank you for your reply, it is a courteous trait that many vlog hosts do not do.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

@@David-jw5ro Absolutely! I want to create a bit of a community atmosphere here in addition to making content. Glad you're aboard.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

And as far as incidents in America, yeah that can happen but they're usually one-on-one fistfights or glorified shoving matches. We're not quite as "feral" as English ultras CAN be (seriously, you guys have some really "creative" chants lol). It's a bit more casual over here.

[@martin-hall-northern-soul]

Hope the trotters can wander (or trot) back in to the championship. The more derbies the better for the original whites up the road (Preston North End FC 1863).

[@kevinwilson1120]

The Bolton Wanderers, they never settle down they roam from town to town. They roam around around around around around around around. Possibly?

[@gillianclough]

Love it! ❤

[@warrenrolfe1024]

Might be worth mentioning that whilst this a big weekend for Bolton, Portsmouth (my team) can clinch the League One title with a win :) so, a lot of incentive for both sides, I wouldn't expect a 0-0 draw! PuP.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Yes, I mentioned that Pompey will also be motivated to win as well! Should be a fun clash with lots of implications for 2024-25!

[@johnrigby9693]

A Barnsley fan best come back ive seen when we where 2-0 up and you came back for a point good luck for autos

[@expatalan6511]

Hope Pompey don’t bottle it tomorrow and bring it. 🏆⭐️🌙

[@siglo2764]

Big club in that division along with derby and Portsmouth

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Their stadium was really impressive when I went last week! Didn't feel like a League One stadium lol

[@siglo2764]

My team Cheltenham are down the other end of the table and looking like gonna be in league two next season could still survive but on current form not looking likely

[@siglo2764]

@@SoccerZombieSTL Bolton have been a premier league club in the past

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

As recently as 2011-12!

[@siglo2764]

@@SoccerZombieSTL you have Bolton Burnley and Blackburn who have all been in the premier league they yo-yo between premier championship and league one

[@dxfifa]

Biggest game since the massive choke against Blackpool that cost a playoff spot in the first season in the championship in 2013. We were the form team before bottling the last two games

[@mrannonymous4822]

Come to Fratton Park next time 😉

[@delusy5510]

As a Derby fan I hope Bolton don’t get automatic but do get promotion through play offs 😂

[@martinwoodworth3715]

I quite like bolton, but their pitch size is a farce. It's way to small. Been there once & it just didn't feel right. Seeing as that stadium is not that old I presume there was a space problem as a reason for the tiny pitch.

[@martin-hall-northern-soul]

If there was a professional football league with only clubs from the small state of Lancashire, England, I imagine it might be a top 10 league in world football. The league table would have the clubs Man City, Liverpool, Man United, Everton, Burnley, Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Blackpool, Wigan, Fleetwood, Salford, Morecambe, Accrington, Tranmere, Rochdale (historically), Bury (historically), Stockport (historically). At only 3,079 km², I think it's fair to say Lancashire is a football heartland.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

That is a really solid stable of clubs!

[@martin-hall-northern-soul]

@@SoccerZombieSTL footie is the best thing about living in a grim post industrial northern town in sunny England 😅

[@davidjones6218]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@tearzy]

Bolton just need to win on Saturday I don't like thinking about it we hardly lose at home but there's just that chance we slip up on such a big day

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

And Portsmouth in general don't like losing...

[@Bean-js9bc]

​@SoccerZombieSTL exactly. We've not lost to a team in the top 7 this season, which is a phenomenal record. Out defeats came closely together in the winter with injuries before we could reinforce in Jan. So take this reply to be a total jinx and bet on a Bolton win!

[@stewartlonsdale]

keep up the good work tom #BWFC

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Thank you!

[@Damaz22]

Like the content and opening up the lower leagues to your American viewers (gor those who aren't Wrexham fans😂). One observation is that you refer to Bolton in the third person ie Bolton beats, Bolton is etc, we refer to them in the plural as the Club are what you are referring to e.g Bolton are, Bolton win etc. Maybe you maintain American form for your American viewers but just something I noticed 👍

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Thanks for the comment! I'm trying to keep a sense of neutrality here as Bolton isn't "my" club per say. I'm a Liverpool fan first and foremost while also backing Doncaster to a lesser degree. So I don't want to come off as a "homer" (as we call it here in the States) when I'm not one. But Bolton's story is interesting to me and I'm glad to cover it from an outsider's POV. And while Wrexham might be the flavor of the month in America, I do feel it has opened American eyes to the lower leagues. Games aren't the most accessible for us over here (iFollow for the super curious) so maybe I can be a looking glass that we don't have over here.

[@Damaz22]

@SoccerZombieSTL my point was more about the differences in language between how Americans describe a club and how brits describe ,it felt odd to me but appreciate that's what you're used to

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Ah ok, I understand!

[@fixingfootballpodcast]

Great videos, would love to have you on sometime?

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Sure!

[@dapper120]

search up euro 1996 national anthem, real passion

[@everybodygotthegoodones]

Bolton fan and i already know we’re gonna come 3rd and lose to Barnsley in the playoffs again.

[@Jon-vp7uq]

White army!

[@tentativabritanica1040]

This is correct way to say Peterborough in UK PEE] + [TUH] + [BRUH] anything ending in borough in UK = Buh ruh for its pronunciation.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

So Peter Bruh basically then?

[@tentativabritanica1040]

@@SoccerZombieSTL Yes exactly this, it’s the same for Middlesbrough as well. The same ending in its pronunciation has these team end in an actual word that can stand by itself. Borough is incorporated town with special privileges or a district to an elect a member of parliament.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Ah very interesting! Yeah, here in America, we tend to translate things literally. Look at my hometown: St. Louis. We pronounce it more like Lewis instead of Loo-ee like it should be.

[@tentativabritanica1040]

@@SoccerZombieSTL No worries, its common mistake many people make when pronouncing cities in the UK, don’t pronounce them literally because they are not always pronounce the way they are spelt. Especially teams like Leicester or Lincoln.

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

When I was in England last week, I found my accent, while kind of a flat Midwestern US accent, made me stick out like a sore thumb! It was more humorous/curious reactions than anything though. I thought it was kind of funny the looks and reactions I'd get! :D

[@rafaeldonnelly3593]

Your biggest game will be on the 27th of April at Peterborough - it might be an automatic promotion decider!

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

This is true! But Portsmouth Saturday will have a big effect, too!

[@rafaeldonnelly3593]

@@SoccerZombieSTLTrue, but the Posh game is more likely to be a decider than the Pompey game. Having said that, our unexpected defeat to Carlisle last month might have been the decider for Posh. In any event the Posh V Bolton game will attract a bumper crowd. Bolton tend to win these games, with former Posh player, Almeida Santos, starring (unfortunately!)

[@leachy_]

Extremely pleased to see you covering Bolton and respecting all the little things like calling the stadium the Reebok. I’m honestly well happy. I will have to start supporting St Louis City 😂. This Saturday is gonna be a very nervous game but I really hope we can pull through COYW 🤍💙

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

Haha, thanks Leachy! Some of us Americans actually do listen to others! ;)

[@leachy_]

@@SoccerZombieSTL yeah. Fingers crossed the Wanderers win tomorrow 🤞

[@jimbass1968]

They won’t finish above the Super Rams now. I think Bolton have a very good chance of winning the playoffs. Oxford will be the biggest threat…

[@SoccerZombieSTL]

For sure. Derby probably rides it out. I agree that I do like Bolton's chances in the playoffs but nothing is certain.

[@jimbass1968]

@@SoccerZombieSTL Best of luck. I’ll be routing for you. Bolton deserve to be in higher leagues. 🤞🤞🤞

[@dapper120]

keep an eye out on nottingham forest, fighting to stay out of relegation next few games will be very meaningful

[@ScragNath]

Nah, Derby will stay ahead of Bolton.