| Club: | Bolton Wanderers |
| Season: | 1883–84 |
| Chairman: | Tom Rawthorne |
| Chrtitle: | Secretary |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Fourth round |
| Season Topscorer: | R. Steel |
| Pattern B1: | _whitehalf_right |
| Body1: | 000066 |
| Rightarm1: | 000066 |
| Socks1: | 000066 |
| Pattern Name1: | 1883 |
| Pattern B2: | _buttons |
| Shorts2: | 000066 |
| Socks2: | 000066 |
| Pattern Name2: | 1884 |
| Prevseason: | 1882–83 |
| Nextseason: | 1884–85 |
The 1881–82 season was the third season in which Bolton Wanderers competed in a senior competitive football competition. The club entered the FA Cup in November 1883, but were knocked out in the fourth round by Notts County.
| Date | Round | Opponents | H / A | ResultF – A | Scorers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 November 1883 | Round 1 | Bolton Olympic | H | 9 – 0 | Davenport, Struthers (3), R. Steel (2), Gleaves, Howarth, Scholes | |
| 1 December 1883 | Round 2 | Bolton Association | H | 3 – 0 | R. Steel (2), Struthers | |
| 29 December 1883 | Round 3 | Irwell Springs | H | 8 – 1 | Davenport (2), Fallon (2), R. Steel (2), Struthers, Own Goal | |
| 19 January 1884 | Round 4 | Notts County | A | 2 – 2 (aet) | Davenport, Fallon | |
| 2 February 1884 | Round 4 replay | Notts County | H | 1 – 2 | Vaughan |