2021–22 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season explained

Club:	Bolton Wanderers
Season:	2021–22
Chairman:	Sharon Brittan
Stadium:	University of Bolton Stadium
League:	League One
League Result:	9th
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	First round
Cup2:	EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:	Second round
Cup3:	EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:	Third round
League Topscorer:	Oladapo Afolayan (12)
Season Topscorer:	Oladapo Afolayan (14)
Highest Attendance:	20,892 (vs. Wigan Athletic, 16 October)
Lowest Attendance:	1,773 (vs. Fleetwood Town, 30 November)
Average Attendance:	16,104
Prevseason:	2020–21
Nextseason:	2022–23
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The 2021–22 season is Bolton Wanderers's 133rd season in their history. It covers the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. It was the club's first season back in League One following their immediate promotion from League Two the previous season.

Squad

Youth players with first team squad numbers

Pre-season friendlies

Bolton Wanderers confirmed they would play friendly matches against Longridge Town,^[1] Atherton Collieries,^[1] FC United of Manchester,^[1] Preston North End,^[1] Bamber Bridge^[1] Barrow,^[1] Chorley^[1] Blackburn Rovers^[1] and Chester^[1] as part of their pre-season schedule. Bolton's friendly against Longridge Town was a clause included as part of the transfer agreement for George Thomason^[2] though presumably was delayed a year to allow fans to attend. Longridge also decided to use the match to celebrate their 25th anniversary.^[3] The match against Chorley is for the Harold Taylor Memorial Trophy, the first time it has been used since 2017.^[4] On 23 June Bolton announced they would have two XI sides play against Norwich City's Norwich City U-23 and Norwich City U-18 teams on 31 July before their match against Blackburn Rovers.^[5] Only the match against Norwich U-18 appears to have actually happened, however.

Bolton were meant to have a pre-season training camp in Scotland in early July 2021, however Scotland's government banned travel from Bolton to Scotland due to rising cases in Covid-19 in Bolton. "Essential travel" was permitted, with Bolton's training camp being considered "essential" due to them being elite sportsman – however Bolton decided to cancel the trip as non essential staff weren't allowed to travel in addition to not wanting to become a political tool between Scotland and England over the travel ban.^[6]

Mid-season friendlies

On 23 September, Bolton announced the first team would play a friendly against a team consisting of legendary Bolton players on 13 November to help raise money for Gethin Jones's Mother's recovery, as she had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. A quarter of the money raised would also go to former Bolton player Stephen Darby's charity Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, as he had also suffered from Motor Neurone Disease which had forced him to retire.^[7]

Competitions

EFL League One

See main article: 2021–22 EFL League One.

Matches

The fixtures for the 2021–22 EFL League One season were released on 24 June and saw Bolton opening their campaign at home to Milton Keynes Dons on 7 August. The regular season will conclude on 30 April at home to Fleetwood Town.^[8]

FA Cup

See main article: 2021–22 FA Cup.

Bolton enter the FA Cup at the first round stage, along with all other League One and League Two clubs and were drawn at home to Stockport County.^[9]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2021–22 EFL Cup. Bolton entered the EFL Cup at the first round stage, along with all other League One and League Two club and the majority of Championship clubs. The draw was made on 24 June and saw Bolton face Barnsley in the first round.^{[10] [11]} The tie took place on 10 August and after a goalless draw Bolton won on penalties. This marked the first time in four seasons that Bolton have made it past the first round.^[12] They were then drawn away to Wigan Athletic in the second round.^[13]

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2021–22 EFL Trophy.

On 23 June Bolton were drawn into Group D in the Northern section alongside Rochdale and Port Vale.^[14] The day after Liverpool U-21's completed the group.^[15] In the knock-out stages, Bolton were drawn away to Hartlepool United.^[16]

Statistics

|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Goalkeepers|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Defenders|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Midfielders|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Forwards|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Player(s) who left the club|- ! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Player(s) out on loan|}

Goals record

Rank	No.	Nat.	Po.	Name					Total
1	17		LW	Oladapo Afolayan	12	0	0	2	14
2	11		CF	Amadou Bakayoko	10	1	0	2	13
3	10		CF	Dion Charles	8	0	0	0	8
	-		CF	Eoin Doyle	5	1	0	2	8
4	9		CF	Jón Daði Böðvarsson	7	0	0	0	7
5	20		CM	Kieran Lee	5	0	0	1	6
6	3		LB	Declan John	4	0	0	1	5
7	8		CM	Josh Sheehan	4	0	0	0	4
	22		LW	Kieran Sadlier	4	0	0	0	4
	24		CF	Elias Kachunga	2	2	0	0	4
8	-		CM	Antoni Sarcevic	3	0	0	0	3
9	6		CB		2	0	0	0	2
	7		CF	Nathan Delfouneso	0	0	0	2	2
10	4		CM	MJ Williams	1	0	0	0	1
	13		RB	Marlon Fossey	1	0	0	0	1
	14		RW	Xavier Amaechi	1	0	0	0	1
	15		CB	Will Aimson	1	0	0	0	1
	16		CM	Aaron Morley	1	0	0	0	1
	25		CM	George Thomason	1	0	0	0	1
	27		CB	Alex Baptiste	1	0	0	0	1
Own Goals					1	1	0	1	3
Total					74	5	0	11	90

Disciplinary record

Rank	No.	Nat.	Po.	Name	League One						EFL Cup						Total
1	5		CB		8	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	11	0	2
2	4		CM	MJ Williams	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0	0
	17		LW	Oladapo Afolayan	10	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	11	0	0
3	2		RB	Gethin Jones	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	0
4	6		CB		5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
	11		CF	Amadou Bakayoko	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
	24		CF	Elias Kachunga	2	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
5	25		CM	George Thomason	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
6	8		CM	Josh Sheehan	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
	23		RW	Lloyd Isgrove	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
7	3		LB	Declan John	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	10		CF	Dion Charles	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	14		RW	Xavier Amaechi	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	20		CM	Kieran Lee	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
8	7		CF	Nathan Delfouneso	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	12		GK	Joel Dixon	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	15		CB	Will Aimson	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	16		CM	Aaron Morley	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	21		RB	Harry Brockbank	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
	27		CB	Alex Baptiste	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
	29		LB	Liam Gordon	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	32		CM	Kyle Dempsey	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	-		CF	Eoin Doyle	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	-		CM	Antoni Sarcevic	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total					67	0	2	7	0	0	4	0	0	6	0	0	84	0	2

Transfers

Transfers in

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
27 May 2021					Free transfer	^[17] ^[18]
11 June 2021					Free transfer	^[19]
1 July 2021					Free transfer	^[20]
1 July 2021					Free transfer	^[21]
1 July 2021					Free transfer	^[22]
1 July 2021					Free transfer	^[23]
1 July 2021					Free transfer	^[24]
6 August 2021					Free transfer	^[25]
1 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[26]
11 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[27]
20 January 2022					Free transfer	^[28]
28 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[29]
31 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[30]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date until	Ref.
28 June 2021					End of season	^[31] ^[32]
3 January 2022					18 March 2022	^[33] ^[34]
13 January 2022					End of season	^[35]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date until	Ref.
21 July 2021					End of season	^[36]
4 August 2021			Luke Hutchinson		9 January 2022	^[37] ^[38]
7 August 2021					23 November 2021	^[39] ^[40] ^[41]
16 August 2021					17 January 2022	^[42] ^[43]
27 August 2021					31 December 2021	^[44] ^[45] ^[46] ^[47]
31 August 2021					3 January 2022	^[48]
3 September 2021					30 December 2021	^[49] ^[50]
1 October 2021					12 December 2021	^[51]
16 October 2021			Ryan Colvin		3 December 2021	^[52] ^[53] ^[54]
12 November 2021			Adam Senior		9 December 2021	^[55] ^[56]
12 November 2021					End of season	^[57] ^[58]
25 January 2022			Adam Senior		3 March 2022	^[59] ^[60]
31 January 2022					End of season	^[61]
1 February 2022			Ronan Darcy		End of season	^[62]
4 February 2022			Matthew Alexander		End of season	^[63]
21 February 2022					21 March 2022	^[64]

Transfers out

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
30 June 2021			Markus Assarsson		Released
30 June 2021					Released	^[65] ^[66]
30 June 2021					Released	^[67]
30 June 2021					Released	^[68]
30 June 2021				Trimpell & Bare Rangers	Released	^[69]
30 June 2021					Released	^[70]
30 June 2021					Released	^[71]
30 June 2021					Released	^[72]
30 June 2021					Released	^[73] ^[74]
30 June 2021			Nathan Whalley		Released	^[75]
20 September 2021			Kian Le Fondre		Undisclosed	^[76]
22 October 2021					Free transfer	^[77] ^[78]
3 November 2021					Released	^[79] ^[80]
10 December 2021			Ryan Colvin		Free Transfer	^[81]
3 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[82]
7 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[83]
10 January 2022				Retired		^[84]
19 January 2022					Released	^[85] ^[86]
21 January 2022					Undisclosed	^[87]
January 2022					Released	^[88] ^[89]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wanderers Pre-Season fixtures confirmed . Bolton Wanderers - Official Site . 26 May 2021.
2. Web site: Thomason Signs Professional Deal with Bolton Wanderers . Ellie . Hamilton . 8 January 2020. www.longridgetownfc.com . Looking further ahead following Thomason’s move to Bolton, Trotters boss Keith Hill has promised to take a First Team squad to the MRG for a pre-season friendly ahead of next season..
3. Web site: StackPath. www.longridgetownfc.com.
4. https://twitter.com/chorleyfc/status/1397508010117902336 Chorley FC: "The Harold Taylor Memorial Trophy is back on the agenda this PRE-SEASON after a four-year hiatus...
5. Web site: ️ Academy to face Norwich City in pre-season friendly double header. www.bwfc.co.uk.
6. Web site: Bolton Wanderers call off Scotland training base after travel ban frustration. The Bolton News.
7. Web site: Wanderers plan All-Star game to help raise funds for Jones family MND appeal. The Bolton News.
8. News: Wanderers' Sky Bet League One Fixtures Confirmed . 24 June 2021 . bwfc.co.uk . 24 June 2021.
9. News: EFL Clubs Enter The Emirates FA Cup, Following Sunday’s first round proper Draw . 18 October 2021 . The Football Association . 17 October 2021.
10. Web site: Wanderers to face Barnsley at home in Carabao Cup first round tie . Bolton Wanderers FC . 24 June 2021.
11. Web site: Fixture Information Now Available for Port Vale and Barnsley Clashes . Bolton Wanderers FC . 5 July 2021.
12. Web site: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Barnsley. . 11 August 2021.
13. Web site: Carabao Cup Round Two draw confirmed . EFL . 12 August 2021.
14. Web site: Wanderers' Papa John's Trophy opponents confirmed . Bolton Wanderers FC . 23 June 2021.
15. https://twitter.com/OfficialBWFC/status/1408091114272432133 "OfficialBWFC: Liverpool U21s will join Wanderers, Rochdale and Port Vale in Group D of the @PapaJohnsTrophy Northern Section."
16. News: Papa John's Trophy: Round of 16 draw . 4 December 2021 . English Football League . 9 December 2021.
17. Web site: Wanderers Secure Afolayan in permanent switch . Bolton Wanderers - Official Site . 27 May 2021.
18. Web site: EFL: "A player registered on a Standard Loan in accordance with Regulation 55 at a Club may subsequently be permanently transferred to that Club at any time including during a Closed Period.". 28 May 2021. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212623/https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-6---players/. dead.
19. Web site: John Returns On Three-Year Deal. www.bwfc.co.uk.
20. Web site: Wanderers Bolster Defence With New Recruit . Bolton Wanderers FC . 17 June 2021.
21. Web site: Wanderers Strengthen Attack With Bakayoko Acquisition . Bolton Wanderers FC . 25 June 2021.
22. Web site: Wanderers sign up Goalkeeper Dixon . Bolton Wanderers FC . 25 June 2021.
23. Web site: Wanderers Recruit Young Defender. www.bwfc.co.uk.
24. Web site: Wanderers Land Wales International Midfielder. www.bwfc.co.uk.
25. Web site: Wanderers Go On The Attack With Kachunga Acquisition . Bolton Wanderers FC . 6 August 2021.
26. Web site: Wanderers Secure Dion Deal . Bolton Wanderers FC . 1 January 2022.
27. Web site: Wanderers Land Midfield Man Morley. www.bwfc.co.uk.
28. Web site: Böðvarsson joins Bolton . Millwall FC . 20 January 2022.
29. Web site: Bolton Wanderers sign Kieran Sadlier from Rotherham on two-and-a-half year deal . The Bolton News . 28 January 2022.
30. Web site: Kyle Dempsey signs for Bolton . Gillingham FC . 1 February 2022.
31. Web site: Wanderers Land Highly Rated Winger. www.bwfc.co.uk.
32. Web site: Wanderers Still Counting COVID Cost. www.bwfc.co.uk.
33. Web site: Marlon Makes Wanderers Move . Bolton Wanderers . 3 January 2022.
34. https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/march/season-over-for-fossey/ BWFC: "Season Over For Fossey: Marlon Fossey will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury that will require surgery and curtail his current loan stay with Wanderers. The wing-back suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in last Saturday’s loss to Plymouth and will return to Fulham for treatment."
35. Web site: Done deal: Wanderers complete loan move for Manchester City keeper Trafford . The Bolton News . 13 January 2022.
36. Web site: Reiss Greenidge joins Barnet on loan . Bolton Wanderers FC . 21 July 2021.
37. Web site: Hutchinson Joins Atherton Collieries On Loan . Bolton Wanderers FC . 4 August 2021.
38. Web site: Squad News: Luke Hutchinson – Atherton Collieries.
39. Web site: Bolton Wanderers keeper Matt Alexander set to leave club on season-long loan. The Bolton News.
40. Web site: Squad Update. www.pitchero.com.
41. https://twitter.com/LancasterCityFC/status/1463182347910750212 Lancaster City: "LOANS: We can confirm that Matty Alexander and Brandon Lonsdale have returned to their parent clubs Bolton and Blackburn Rovers. We thank them both for their efforts for the Dolly Blues and wish them good luck with their professional career"
42. Web site: Dennis Politic joins Port Vale on loan . Bolton Wanderers FC . 17 August 2021.
43. Web site: Politic Loan Spell Ended. www.bwfc.co.uk.
44. Web site: Done deal: Midfielder Ronan Darcy signs new contract with Bolton Wanderers. The Bolton News.
45. Web site: Sogndal styrker troppen – Bolton-spiller på vei. 18 August 2021. Eurosport.
46. Web site: Darcy Heads to Norway on Loan. www.bwfc.co.uk. 28 August 2021 . 27 August 2021.
47. Web site: Red tape blow for Bolton Wanderers on Ronan Darcy return from loan. The Bolton News.
48. Web site: Crawford Joins St. Johnstone On Loan . Bolton Wanderers FC . 31 August 2021.
49. Web site: Jay Fitzmartin joins Stalybridge Celtic on loan . Bolton Wanderers FC . 3 September 2021.
50. Web site: Stalybridge Celtic - Official Site - Player Profile Jay Fitzmartin. www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk.
51. Web site: Ashton Switch For Senior. www.bwfc.co.uk.
52. https://twitter.com/PrescotCablesFC/status/1451579302429040658 New Singing Ryan Colvin – Ryan is a young defender who has joined us on a season long loan deal from Bolton Wanders where he has been involved in the first team squad this season. Ryan made his Cables debut against Bootle at the weekend."
53. Web site: Saturday's transfer list - October 16th - The Pitching In Northern Premier League. www.thenpl.co.uk.
54. https://twitter.com/PrescotCablesFC/status/1466814578382229504 Prescot Cables: "SQUAD UPDATE: One in and one out ahead of tomorrows Derby with CoL. Ryan Colvin has been recalled from his loan by parent club Bolton Wanderers. We thank Ryan for all his efforts during his time at Cables."
55. Web site: Loan Deals For Defensive Duo. www.bwfc.co.uk.
56. Web site: Senior moves back to Bolton. www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk.
57. Web site: Wanderers defender Liam Edwards extends Southport loan. The Bolton News.
58. Web site: Liam Edwards Loan Extended. 9 January 2022.
59. Web site: Senior Seals Chorley Loan . Bolton Wanderers . 25 January 2022.
60. Web site: Senior Recalled From Loan Stay . Bolton Wanderers FC . 3 March 2022.
61. Web site: Delfouneso Secures Bradford Move . Bolton Wanderers . 31 January 2022.
62. Web site: Scottish Switch For Darcy . Bolton Wanderers . 1 February 2022.
63. https://twitter.com/RuncornLinnets/status/1489675121841164289 Runcorn Linnets: "ALEXANDER IS THE LATEST LINNET! We are happy to announce the loan signing of Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Matthew Alexander. Matthew will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's game against Trafford FC."
64. Web site: Young Striker Makes Celtic Return . Bolton Wanderers FC . 21 February 2022.
65. Web site: Bolton Wanderers confirm contract deal not agreed with defender Ryan Delaney . Bolton News . 8 June 2021.
66. Web site: Signing Ryan Delaney . Morecambe FC . 22 June 2021.
67. Web site: Our new signings - the manager explains . Enfield Town FC . 9 August 2021.
68. Web site: SIGNING | Arthur Gnahoua. www.morecambefc.com.
69. https://twitter.com/TrimpellFC/status/1446855955451371523 Trimpell FC: "Shevington 2-2 Trimpell 1sts Scorers- Sonny Graham ⚽ Jamie Ulyatt ⚽"
70. Web site: Jak Hickman Signs For The Saints . St Patrick's Athletic FC . 19 August 2021.
71. Web site: Google. www.google.com.
72. Web site: PLAYER NEWS | Mascoll joins the Stones. 9 November 2021. Wealdstone FC.
73. Web site: Wanderers Reveal Retained List . Bolton Wanderers - Official Site . 19 May 2021.
74. Web site: Former Football League striker Shaun Miller joins The Dabbers. 6 August 2021.
75. https://twitter.com/AshtonAthletic/status/1422615503294566405/photo/1 Nathan Whalley"
76. Web site: Bolton Wanderers youngster Kian Le Fondre reveals Premier League switch. The Bolton News.
77. News: Sarcevic Completes Stockport Move . 22 October 2021 . Bolton Wanderers FC . 22 October 2021.
78. Web site: County complete move for Bolton Captain. 22 October 2021. Stockport County.
79. Web site: Comley Ends Wanderers' Stay . 3 November 2021 . Bolton Wanderers . 3 November 2021.
80. Web site: Daggers Sign Brandon Comley . Dagenham & Redbridge FC . 5 February 2022.
81. https://twitter.com/PrescotCablesFC/status/1469290857803177986 Prescot Cables: Ryan Returns
82. Web site: Crawford Signs Until 2024 . St Johnstone FC . 3 January 2022.
83. News: Doyle Completes Dublin Deal . 7 January 2022 . Bolton Wanderers FC . 7 January 2022.
84. Web site: Jones Named New Vice-Captain. www.bwfc.co.uk.
85. Web site: New Challenge For Brocky . 19 January 2022 . Bolton Wanderers . 19 January 2022.
86. Web site: El Paso Locomotive signs English defender Harry Brockbank . El Paso Locomotive FC . 21 January 2022 . 22 January 2022.
87. Web site: Permanent Move For Politic . Bolton Wanderers . 21 January 2022.
88. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108164715/https://www.bwfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/ Bolton Wanderers First Team Squad (8 January 2022)
89. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108164715/https://www.bwfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/ Bolton Wanderers First Team Squad (26 January 2022)