| 2019–20 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairperson | Sharon Brittan | |||
| Manager | Phil Parkinson (until 21 August)[1] Keith Hill (from 31 August)[2] | |||
| Stadium | University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| League One | 23rd (relegated) | |||
| FA Cup | First round | |||
| EFL Cup | First round | |||
| EFL Trophy | Second round | |||
| Top goalscorer | League:Daryl Murphy (8) All:Daryl Murphy (8) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 14,003 vs.Blackpool, 8 October 2019 | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 2,616 vs.Manchester City U21, 29 October 2019 | |||
| Average home league attendance | 11,157 | |||
| Biggest win | 3–1 vs.Manchester City U21, EFL Trophy, 29 October 2019 | |||
| Biggest defeat | 1–7 vs.Accrington Stanley, EFL League One, 23 November 2019 | |||
| ||||
The 2019–20 season wasBolton Wanderers' first season back inLeague One following their relegationlast season from theChampionship. Along with the league the club also participated in theFA Cup,EFL Cup, and theEFL Trophy. The season covered the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.
Throughout the2018–19 Championship season Bolton faced financial difficulties. After the collapse of the permanent signing of on-loan strikerChristian Doidge,Forest Green Rovers commenced legal action over lost earnings.[3] In February 2019, Bolton were issued a winding-up petition byHM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) which was subsequently adjourned, first until April, and then again until the end of the season as their search for a new owner continued.[4][5] Due to the financial difficulties, the training ground temporarily closed in March 2019,[6] and games against Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa were threatened with postponement or being played behind closed doors as the local council Safety Advisory Group (SAG) threatened to revoke the stadium safety certificate.[7] The Bolton Whites Hotel, owned by Ken Anderson, was also issued with a winding-up petition in March 2019[8] (it closed on 1 May and went into administration on 14 May).[9] The team was relegated to League One in April after a 23rd-place finish.[10] In a further development on 26 April, the home match againstBrentford was called off by theEnglish Football League 16 hours before kick off after Bolton's players, supported by theProfessional Footballers' Association, refused to play until they had received their unpaid wages.[11] On 3 May the match against Brentford was cancelled by the EFL and a 1–0 result and three points awarded to Brentford.[12]
In May the club went intoadministration due to a £1.2m unpaid tax bill.[13] Fildraw (former ownerEddie Davies' trust fund) appointed administrators from insolvency firm David Rubin and Partners.[14] In accordance with league rules on administration, Bolton would start the 2019–20 season with a 12-point deduction.[14] On 14 May it was reported that some non-playing staff were forced to usefood bank donations from local businesses and a local Championship club, believed to bePreston North End,[15] as Bolton had not paid them for April's work.[16] A 17 July statement from the Bolton players said that no-one at the club had been paid by owner Ken Anderson for 20 weeks, the training ground had no potable drinking water nor hot water for showers. Pre-season friendlies with Chester,[17]Preston[18] andOldham Athletic were all cancelled as Bolton could not give assurances about fielding a competitive team.[19]
On 18 July, Anderson said the sale of Bolton would be completed by the end of the week,[20] but the uncertainty continued into August. Bolton started their opening League One game on 3 August atWycombe Wanderers with only three contracted senior outfield players, and lost 2–0.[21] The following week, on 8 August, Bolton's takeover by Football Ventures was suspended after Laurence Bassini, who had previously tried to buy the club, won a court order blocking the sale;[22] the sale of the Bolton Whites hotel was also delayed by a dispute.[23] On 10 August, Bolton fielded its youngest ever side, with an average age of 19, in a goalless home draw againstCoventry City,[24] but then conceded five goals in both of the next two games, againstRochdale in theEFL Cup (5-2)[25] andTranmere Rovers in League One (5-0).[26] Manager Phil Parkinson expressed concern about the welfare of the youth players used in all of Bolton's games;[27] such concerns led Bolton to call off the game againstDoncaster Rovers on 20 August[28][29] but without informing either Doncaster or the EFL.[28] Parkinson and assistant Steve Parkin resigned the following day.[30] The club confirmed that academy managerJimmy Phillips would take temporary charge of the club.[31] Wanderers lost 5–0 at home toIpswich Town in Phillips' first game in charge of Bolton, in front of a record low crowd at theUniversity of Bolton Stadium.[32]
An EFL deadline of 5PM BST on 27 August had been imposed on Bolton to prove their financial viability under current ownership or complete a takeover deal, with failure to satisfy this criterion by the deadline resulting in Bolton's EFL membership being revoked, and consequently the beginning of a liquidation process of the club and its assets.[33][34] However, on 26 August, joint administrator Paul Appleton announced that the Football Ventures takeover had fallen through on the morning of 24 August, having looked close to completion the previous day.[35][36] After Bolton failed to meet 27 August deadline, the suspension of its notice of withdrawal from the EFL was lifted; however, the club was not immediately expelled from the EFL - it was given until 12 September 2019 to meet all outstanding requirements of the League's insolvency policy.[37]
On 28 August, Bolton announced that the club's sale to Football Ventures (Whites) Limited had been completed, with the administrator paying tribute to the Eddie Davies Trust and their legal team, and criticising Anderson who had "used his position as a secured creditor to hamper and frustrate any deal that did not benefit him or suit his purposes."[38] On 31 August, shortly after Bolton lost a fourth consecutive game conceding five goals in each,Keith Hill was announced as the new club manager.[39] Bolton's first game under Hill saw the club lose 6–1 toRotherham United,[40] before picking up their first point under Hill on 17 September 2019 in a 0–0 draw at home toOxford United.[41] Bolton won their first game of the season on 22 October 2019 in a 2–0 win away atBristol Rovers,[42] before winning a further three consecutive matches in all competitions, taking the club to a positive points total for the first time.[43]
Bolton struggled to find form throughout the 2019-20 campaign, winning just 5 of their 34 matches up to 10 March. The EFL League Oneseason was suspended on 13 March due to the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic. On 9 June, the season was ended with promotion, play off, and relegation positions determined on a points-per-game basis.
This condemned the club to relegation and Bolton Wanderers competed in the2020-21 League Two campaign.
This was the second time in the club's 146-year history that they have played football in England's fourth tier. The previous occasion came in the1987-88 campaign, in which Bolton were similarly promoted back to the third tier at the first attempt.
Like the season before againstSt Mirren, the Bolton first team refused to play the match againstChester due to unpaid wages.[44] They also refused to play in thePreston game as well.[45] Following this,Oldham Athletic cancelled a third game as Bolton could not give assurances about fielding a competitive team.[19] Bolton were able to schedule last minute replacements matches againstBradford City[46] andSalford City,[47] though the matches had to be playedbehind closed doors.
| 14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)Friendly | York City | 1–0 | Bolton Wanderers XI | York |
| 14:00BST | Kempster 31' | Report | Stadium:Bootham Crescent Attendance: 666 |
| 16 July 2019 (2019-07-16)Friendly | Bolton Wanderers | 2–3 | Al-Ittihad | Bolton |
| Oztumer 20' Hall 30' | Report Report | Prijović 13' Al-Ghamdi 69'Al-Bishi 72' | Attendance:Behind closed doors |
| 19 July 2019 (2019-07-19)Friendly | Chester | v | Bolton Wanderers | Chester |
| 19:45BST | Match Cancelled [48] | Stadium:Deva Stadium |
| 23 July 2019 (2019-07-23)Friendly | Bolton Wanderers | v | Preston North End | Leyland |
| 19:45BST | Match Cancelled [48] | Stadium:County Ground |
| 23 July 2019 (2019-07-23)Friendly | Bolton Wanderers | 2–1 | Bradford City | Bolton |
| Politic Murphy | Report | Vaughan pen.' | Attendance:Behind closed doors |
| 27 July 2019 (2019-07-27)Friendly | Oldham Athletic | v | Bolton Wanderers | Oldham |
| 15:00BST | Match Cancelled [49] | Stadium:Boundary Park |
| 27 July 2019 (2019-07-27)Friendly | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Salford City | Bolton |
| Oztumer | Report | Attendance:Behind closed doors |
          Home (August–October) |      Home (since October) |      Away (August–October) |     Away (since October) |
Bolton Wanderers will begin the 2019–20 campaign with a 12-point deduction complying with league rules for entering into administration.[50]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Accrington Stanley | 35 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 47 | 53 | −6 | 40 | 1.14 | |
| 18 | Rochdale | 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 39 | 57 | −18 | 36 | 1.06 | |
| 19 | Milton Keynes Dons | 35 | 10 | 7 | 18 | 36 | 47 | −11 | 37 | 1.06 | |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 35 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 39 | 52 | −13 | 35 | 1.00 | |
| 21 | Tranmere Rovers(R) | 34 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 36 | 60 | −24 | 32 | 0.94 | Relegation toEFL League Two |
| 22 | Southend United(R) | 35 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 39 | 85 | −46 | 19 | 0.54 | |
| 23 | Bolton Wanderers(R) | 34 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 27 | 66 | −39 | 14[a] | 0.41[a] | |
| 24 | Bury(D, R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −12[b] | —[b] | Club expelled, and no Phoenix club received |
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 34 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 27 | 66 | −39 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 23 | −6 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 43 | −33 |
Last updated: 10 March 2020.
Source:BBC
| Matchday | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | H | A | A | H | A | A | H | A | A | |
| Result | L | D | L | L | L | L | D | D | L | D | L | W | W | W | L | D | L | W | D | D | L | L | L | L | D | W | L | L | L | L | L | D | D | D | |
| Position | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
On 20 June 2019, theLeague One fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.[55][56] Bolton begin their league campaign atWycombe Wanderers, the first time the clubs have ever met in the league,[57] on 3 August and were due to finish it away atOxford United on 3 May. However this fixture, like all fixtures beginning with the home fixture againstPeterborough United on 14 March, was postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
| 3 August 2019 (2019-08-03)1 | Wycombe Wanderers | 2–0 | Bolton Wanderers | High Wycombe |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Adams Park Attendance: 6,454 Referee: Tom Nield |
| 10 August 2019 (2019-08-10)2 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–0 | Coventry City | Bolton |
| 15:00BST | Report | Dabo 30' | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 8,901 Referee: James Adcock |
| 17 August 2019 (2019-08-17)3 | Tranmere Rovers | 5–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Birkenhead |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Prenton Park Attendance: 8,568 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 20 August 2019 (2019-08-20) | Bolton Wanderers | Fixture not fulfilled[58] | Doncaster Rovers | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| Note: The match was suspended by Bolton without informing the Football League or Doncaster[59] on 19 August 2019 due to concerns over welfare to their playing staff.[58] | ||||
| 24 August 2019 (2019-08-24)4 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–5 | Ipswich Town | Bolton |
| 15:00BST | Brockbank 19' | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 5,454 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
| 31 August 2019 (2019-08-31)5 | Gillingham | 5–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Gillingham |
| 15:00BST | Report | Lowe 21' | Stadium:Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 5,065 Referee: Robert Lewis |
| 14 September 2019 (2019-09-14)6 | Rotherham United | 6–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Rotherham |
| 15:00BST | Report | Verlinden 4' | Stadium:New York Stadium Attendance: 10,088 Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge |
| 17 September 2019 (2019-09-17)7 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–0 | Oxford United | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 6,786 Referee: Paul Marsden |
| 21 September 2019 (2019-09-21)8 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Sunderland | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 12,026 Referee: Ollie Yates |
| 28 September 2019 (2019-09-28)9 | Portsmouth | 1–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Milton |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Fratton Park Attendance: 18,382 Referee:Darren Drysdale |
| 7 October 2019 (2019-10-07)10 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–0 | Blackpool | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Verlinden 44' | Report | Heneghan 44' | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 14,003 Referee: John Busby |
| 12 October 2019 (2019-10-12) | Burton Albion | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Burton upon Trent |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:Pirelli Stadium | |||
| Note: The match was postponed on 1 October 2019 by Burton, due to international call-ups.[60] | ||||
| 19 October 2019 (2019-10-19)11 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–3 | Rochdale | Bolton |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 13,828 Referee: Antony Coggins |
| 22 October 2019 (2019-10-22)12 | Bristol Rovers | 0–2 | Bolton Wanderers | Bristol |
| 19:45BST | Report | Stadium:Memorial Stadium Attendance: 7,244 Referee: Trevor Kettle |
| 26 October 2019 (2019-10-26) | Lincoln City | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Lincoln |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Sincil Bank | ||
| Note: Fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[61] | ||||
| 2 November 2019 (2019-11-02)13 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–1 | Fleetwood Town | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 12,756 Referee: Scott Oldham |
| 16 November 2019 (2019-11-16)14 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Milton Keynes Dons | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 11,819 Referee: Andy Madley |
| 23 November 2019 (2019-11-23)15 | Accrington Stanley | 7–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Accrington |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:Wham Stadium Attendance: 5,034 Referee: Anthony Backhouse |
| 7 December 2019 (2019-12-07)16 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–2 | AFC Wimbledon | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 11,501 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| 14 December 2019 (2019-12-14)17 | Peterborough United | 1–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Peterborough |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:London Road Stadium Attendance: 6,965 Referee: Peter Wright |
| 21 December 2019 (2019-12-21)18 | Bolton Wanderers | 3–2 | Southend United | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 12,055 Referee: Ben Toner |
| 26 December 2019 (2019-12-26)19 | Sunderland | 0–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Sunderland |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:Stadium of Light Attendance: 33,821 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 29 December 2019 (2019-12-29)20 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Shrewsbury Town | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Udoh 53' | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 13,788 Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 1 January 2020 (2020-01-01)21 | Bolton Wanderers | 3–4 | Burton Albion | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 11,918 Referee: Scott Oldham |
| 4 January 2020 (2020-01-04) | Blackpool | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Blackpool |
| 15:00GMT | Stadium:Bloomfield Road | |||
| Note: This match was postponed on 2 December due to Blackpool's progression in theFA Cup.[62] | ||||
| 11 January 2020 (2020-01-11)22 | Rochdale | 2–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Spotland |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Hamilton 85' | Stadium:Spotland Stadium Attendance: 5,560 Referee: Leigh Doughty |
| 14 January 2020 (2020-01-14)23 | Lincoln City | 5–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Lincoln |
| 19:45GMT | Report | Darcy 47' 80' | Stadium:Sincil Bank Attendance: 8,882 Referee: Neil Hair |
| 18 January 2020 (2020-01-18)24 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–1 | Portsmouth | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 13,407 Referee: Tom Nield |
| 25 January 2020 (2020-01-25) | Shrewsbury Town | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Shrewsbury |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:New Meadow | |||
| Note: The match was postponed on 15 January 2020 due Shrewsbury Town's progression in theFA Cup[63] | ||||
| 28 January 2020 (2020-01-28)25 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Bristol Rovers | Bolton |
| 20:00GMT | Report |
| Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 10,657 Referee: Andy Haines |
| 1 February 2020 (2020-02-01)26 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–0 | Tranmere Rovers | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 13,044 Referee: Scott Oldham |
| 8 February 2020 (2020-02-08)27 | Coventry City | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Birmingham |
| 15:00BST | Report | Politic 77' | Stadium:St Andrew's Attendance: 6,623 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 11 February 2020 (2020-02-11)28 | Doncaster Rovers | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Doncaster |
| 19:45BST |
| Report | Dodoo 57' | Stadium:Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 7,097 Referee: James Oldham |
| 15 February 2020 (2020-02-15)29 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–2 | Wycombe Wanderers | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 11,737 Referee: Graham Salisbury |
| 22 February 2020 (2020-02-22)30 | Milton Keynes Dons | 1–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Milton Keynes |
| 15:00BST | Report | Stadium:Stadium MK Attendance: 8,539 Referee: Ollie Yates |
| 25 February 2020 (2020-02-25)31 | Blackpool | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Blackpool |
| 19:45GMT |
| Report | Stadium:Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8,116 Referee: Paul Marsden |
| 29 February 2020 (2020-02-29)32 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–0 | Accrington Stanley | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Bryan 73' | Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 12,011 Referee: Josh Smith |
| 7 March 2020 (2020-03-07)33 | AFC Wimbledon | 0–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Kingston upon Thames |
| 15:00GMT | Report | Stadium:Kingsmeadow Attendance: 4,804 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| 10 March 2020 (2020-03-10)34 | Burton Albion | 2–2 | Bolton Wanderers | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:45GMT | Report | Stadium:Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 2,034 Referee: Thomas Bramall |
| 14 March 2020 (2020-03-14) | Bolton Wanderers | P–P | Peterborough United | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 4 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[64] On March 19, this was extended to 30 April[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 21 March 2020 (2020-03-21) | Southend United | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Southend-on-Sea |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:Roots Hall | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 4 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[64] On March 19, this was extended to 30 April[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 24 March 2020 (2020-03-24) | Bolton Wanderers | P–P | Doncaster Rovers | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 4 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[64] On March 19, this was extended to 30 April[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 28 March 2020 (2020-03-28) | Fleetwood Town | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Fleetwood |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:Highbury Stadium | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 4 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[64] On March 19, this was extended to 30 April[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 4 April 2020 (2020-04-04) | Bolton Wanderers | P–P | Lincoln City | Bolton |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 30 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 10 April 2020 (2020-04-10) | Ipswich Town | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Ipswich |
| 19:45BST | Stadium:Portman Road | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 30 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 14 April 2020 (2020-04-14) | Bolton Wanderers | P–P | Gillingham | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 30 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| 21 April 2020 (2020-04-21) | Shrewsbury Town | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Shrewsbury |
| 19:45BST | Stadium:Montgomery Waters Meadow | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 30 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 25 April 2020 (2020-04-25) | Bolton Wanderers | P–P | Rotherham United | Bolton |
| 20:00BST | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium | |||
| Note: All matches in theUnited Kingdom until 30 April postponed because of theCOVID-19 pandemic[65] On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
| 3 May 2020 (2020-05-03) | Oxford United | P–P | Bolton Wanderers | Oxford |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:Kassam Stadium | |||
| Note: On April 3, all matches were postponed "indefinitely".[66] | ||||
The first round draw was made on 21 October 2019 and Bolton were given a home tie againstLeague Two sidePlymouth Argyle.[67] A first half goal fromCallum McFadzean was enough to see the away side through and knock Bolton out of the competition at the first round stage for the first time in30 years.[68] It was also the first time in the club's existence that they had been knocked out of both senior domestic cup competitions at the first round stage.
| 9 November 2019 (2019-11-09)First round | Bolton Wanderers | 0–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Bolton |
| 15:00GMT | L. Murphy 31' | Report | McFadzean 11' | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 6,992 Referee: Robert Lewis |
On 20 June 2019, the draw for the first round was made inLondon and Bolton were drawn away at North-West rivalsRochdale.[69] The subsequent 5–2 defeat was the club's second first round defeat in a row and their fourth in five years.
| 13 August 2019First round | Rochdale | 5–2 | Bolton Wanderers | Spotland |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium:Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,362 Referee: Andy Haines |
On 9 July 2019, the pre-determined group stage draw was announced with invited clubs to be drawn on 12 July 2019.[70] The draw for the second round was made on 16 November 2019 live onSky Sports.[71]
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACA | Manchester City U21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 | Advance toRound 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Bolton Wanderers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 | |
| 3 | L1 | Rochdale | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 5 | |
| 4 | L2 | Bradford City | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 2 |
| 3 September 2019 (2019-09-03)Group Stage Game 1 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 (3–4p) | Bradford City | Bolton |
| 19:10BST |
| Report | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 9,062 Referee: Martin Coy | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 1 October 2019 (2019-10-01)Group Stage Game 2 | Rochdale | 1–1 (5–3p) | Bolton Wanderers | Spotland |
| 19:45BST | Wilbraham 25' 57' | Report | Stadium:Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,412 Referee: Leigh Doughty | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 29 October 2019 (2019-10-29)Group Stage Game 3 | Bolton Wanderers | 3–1 | Manchester City U21 | Bolton |
| 19:00GMT | Report | Zouma 13' (o.g.) | Stadium:University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: 2,616 Referee: Peter Wright |
| 10 December 2019 (2019-12-10)Second round | Accrington Stanley | 2–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Accrington |
| 19:45GMT | Report | Graham 36' | Stadium:Wham Stadium Attendance: 930 Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge |
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 20 | GK |  ENG | Remi Matthews | 38 | 0 | 33+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 43 | GK | ENG | Matthew Alexander | 2 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | ENG | Josh Emmanuel | 31 | 0 | 25+2 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Joe Bunney | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG | Jack Hobbs | 12 | 1 | 11+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF |  IRL | Ryan Delaney | 4 | 1 | 2+2 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | ENG | Brandon Fleming | 10 | 0 | 10+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | ENG | Kean Bryan | 6 | 1 | 6+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Harry Brockbank | 8 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | ENG | Liam Edwards | 7 | 0 | 6+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 28 | DF |  COD | Aristote Nsiala | 12 | 0 | 12+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 30 | DF |  FRA | Yoan Zouma | 22 | 0 | 13+3 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Adam Senior | 4 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 38 | DF | ENG | Joe White | 5 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 4 | MF | ENG | Jason Lowe | 34 | 0 | 28+1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG | Will Buckley | 6 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Luke Murphy | 32 | 2 | 26+3 | 2 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF |  SCO | Ali Crawford | 14 | 2 | 12+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 2 |
| 14 | MF | ENG | Jacob Mellis | 6 | 0 | 1+5 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF |  CYP | Anthony Georgiou | 2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | SCO | Ethan Hamilton | 12 | 1 | 12+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF |  ROU | Dennis Politic | 30 | 5 | 19+5 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 3+1 | 1 |
| 27 | MF | ENG | Ronan Darcy | 22 | 2 | 14+5 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 35 | MF | ENG | Sonny Graham | 18 | 0 | 6+7 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 36 | MF |  WAL | Callum King-Harmes | 7 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 37 | MF | ENG | Finlay Hurford-Lockett | 3 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 44 | MF | ENG | Regan Riley | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 47 | MF | ENG | Jay Fitzmartin | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 9 | FW | IRL | Daryl Murphy | 26 | 8 | 23+1 | 8 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | ENG | Chris O'Grady | 23 | 4 | 10+10 | 2 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 2 |
| 19 | FW | ENG | Muhammadu Faal | 2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 23 | FW |  GHA | Joe Dodoo | 26 | 4 | 15+8 | 4 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | ENG | Eddie Brown | 7 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 39 | FW | ENG | De'Marlio Brown-Sterling | 4 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| Player(s) out on loan | |||||||||||||
| 24 | FW | ENG | Connor Hall | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| Player(s) who left the club | |||||||||||||
| 6 | DF | ENG | Jake Wright | 12 | 0 | 11+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF |  TUR | Erhun Oztumer | 1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 12 | DF |  ZIM | Adam Chicksen | 20 | 0 | 14+2 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | ENG | James Weir | 12 | 0 | 7+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF |  BEL | Thibaud Verlinden | 17 | 3 | 12+3 | 3 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | SCO | Liam Bridcutt | 12 | 0 | 11+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 31 | DF | ENG | Jordan Boon | 5 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | ENG | Josh Earl | 11 | 0 | 9+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| Rank | No. | Nat. | Po. | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | | CF | Daryl Murphy | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | 22 | | RW | Dennis Politic | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | 10 | | CF | Chris O'Grady | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 23 | | CF | Joe Dodoo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 5 | - | | LW | Thibaud Verlinden | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | 8 | | CM | Luke Murphy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | | CAM | Ali Crawford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 27 | | CAM | Ronan Darcy | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 9 | 5 | | CB | Jack Hobbs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | | CB | Ryan Delaney | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 17 | | CB | Kean Bryan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 18 | | CM | Ethan Hamilton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 27 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 34 | ||||
| Rank | No. | Nat. | Po. | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | EFL Trophy | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| 1 | 8 | | CM | Luke Murphy | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 4 | | CM | Jason Lowe | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 | | RB | Josh Emmanuel | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | | RW | Dennis Politic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| 27 | | CAM | Ronan Darcy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| - | | CB | Josh Earl | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 7 | 21 | | RB | Harry Brockbank | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | | CB | Aristote Nsiala | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | 5 | | CB | Jack Hobbs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | | CB | Jake Wright | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | | CAM | Will Buckley | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | | CB | Kean Bryan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | | CM | Ethan Hamilton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 30 | | CB | Yoan Zouma | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 33 | | CF | Eddie Brown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| - | | LW | Thibaud Verlinden | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| - | | DM | Liam Bridcutt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | 9 | | CF | Chris O'Grady | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | | LB | Brandon Fleming | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | | GK | Remi Matthews | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | | CF | Joe Dodoo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 26 | | CB | Liam Edwards | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 35 | | CM | Sonny Graham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 47 | | RW | Jay Fitzmartin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| - | | LB | Adam Chicksen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| - | | CM | James Weir | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 48 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 2019 | CM | | James Weir | Hull City | Free transfer | [72] |
| 2 September 2019 | LB | | Joe Bunney | Northampton Town | Free transfer | [73] |
| 2 September 2019 | CM | | Ali Crawford | Doncaster Rovers | Free transfer | [74] |
| 2 September 2019 | RB | | Josh Emmanuel | Ipswich Town | Free transfer | [75] |
| 2 September 2019 | CF | | Daryl Murphy | Nottingham Forest | Free transfer | [76] |
| 2 September 2019 | CF | | Chris O'Grady | Oldham Athletic | Free transfer | [77] |
| 14 September 2019 | LB | | Adam Chicksen | Bradford City | Free transfer | [78] |
| 3 October 2019 | CF | | Joe Dodoo | Rangers | Free transfer | [79] |
| 6 January 2020 | CF | | Muhammadu Faal | Enfield Town | Free transfer | [80] |
| 6 January 2020 | CM | | George Thomason | Longridge Town | Free transfer | [81] |
| 27 January 2020 | AM | | Will Buckley | Free agent | Free transfer | [82] |
| 31 January 2020 | CB | | Ryan Delaney | Rochdale | Free transfer | [83] |
| 31 January 2020 | CM | | Jacob Mellis | Mansfield Town | Free transfer | [84] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 2019 | LB | | Josh Earl | Preston North End | 5 January 2020 | [85] |
| 2 September 2019 | DM | | Liam Bridcutt | Nottingham Forest | 1 January 2020 | [86][87] |
| 2 September 2019 | LW | | Thibaud Verlinden | Stoke City | 1 January 2020 | [88][87] |
| 2 September 2019 | CB | | Jake Wright | Sheffield United | 5 January 2020 | [89] |
| 6 January 2020 | CM | | Ethan Hamilton | Manchester United | 30 June 2020 | [90] |
| 10 January 2020 | CB | | Aristote Nsiala | Ipswich Town | 30 June 2020 | [91] |
| 17 January 2020 | LB | | Brandon Fleming | Hull City | 30 June 2020 | [92] |
| 30 January 2020 | CB | | Kean Bryan | Sheffield United | 30 June 2020 | [93] |
| 31 January 2020 | LW | | Anthony Georgiou | Tottenham Hotspur | 30 June 2020 | [94] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 January 2020 | CF | | Connor Hall | Chorley | 30 June 2020 | [95] |
| 31 January 2020 | CB | | Jordan Boon | Atherton Collieries | 11 March 2020 | [96] |
| 31 January 2020 | CM | | George Thomason | Bamber Bridge | 30 June 2020 | [97] |
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2019 | RW | | Sammy Ameobi | Nottingham Forest | Free transfer | [98] |
| 1 July 2019 | CB | | Mark Beevers | Peterborough United | Free transfer | [99] |
| 1 July 2019 | DM | | Luca Connell | Celtic | £350,000 | [100][101] |
| 1 July 2019 | CF |  | Clayton Donaldson | Bradford City | Free transfer | [102] |
| 1 July 2019 | CM | | Jack Earing | FC Halifax Town | Free transfer | [103] |
| 1 July 2019 | RB | | Chiori Johnson | Free agent | Released | [104] |
| 1 July 2019 | RB | | Mark Little | Bristol Rovers | Free transfer | [105] |
| 1 July 2019 | RW | | Craig Noone |  Melbourne City | Free transfer | [106] |
| 1 July 2019 | CF | | Daniel Ogwuru | Manchester City | £100,000 | [107] |
| 1 July 2019 | CM | | Gary O'Neil | Free agent | Released | [108] |
| 1 July 2019 | CM | | Joe Pritchard | Accrington Stanley | Free transfer | [109] |
| 1 July 2019 | LB | | Andrew Taylor | Retired | — | [110] |
| 1 July 2019 | GK | | Ben Williams | Free agent | Released | [111] |
| 1 July 2019 | CB | | Marc Wilson | Free agent | Released | [112] |
| 9 July 2019 | RB |  | Paweł Olkowski | Gazişehir Gaziantep | Free transfer | [113] |
| 15 July 2019 | GK | | Ben Amos | Charlton Athletic | Free transfer | [114] |
| 17 July 2019 | CM | | Josh Vela | Hibernian | Free transfer | [115] |
| 29 July 2019 | GK | | Jake Turner | Newcastle United | Free transfer | [116] |
| 1 August 2019 | CB | | David Wheater | Oldham Athletic | Free transfer | [117] |
| 8 August 2019 | CF |  | Josh Magennis | Hull City | Nominal fee | [118] |
| 15 August 2019 | AM | | Erhun Oztumer | Charlton Athletic | Free transfer | [119] |
| 23 August 2019 | DM | | Marcus Wood | Bradford (Park Avenue) | Free transfer | [120] |
| 27 August 2019 | RM |  | Stephen Duke-McKenna | Queens Park Rangers | Free transfer | [121] |
| 25 September 2019 | LM | | Lloyd Dyer | Burton Albion | Free transfer | [122] |
| 7 November 2019 | DF | | William Hartshorne | Glossop North End | Free transfer | [123] |
| 7 November 2019 | MF | | Luca Navarro | Buxton | Free transfer | [123] |
| 27 December 2019 | GK | | Ben Alnwick | Free agent | Mutual consent | [124] |
| 10 January 2020 | AM | | Will Buckley | Free agent | Released | [125] |
| 13 January 2020 | LB | | Adam Chicksen | Free agent | Released | [126] |
| 31 January 2020 | CM | | James Weir |  FK Pohronie | Mutual consent | [127] |
| 11 March 2020 | CB | | Jordan Boon |  IFK Östersund | Mutual consent | [128] |
