Bolton Wanderers – Who has been your top Trotter over the past 20 years?

Twenty years ago Bolton Wanderers were in the old third division of English football. Two decades later and the Trotters have established themselves as a Premier League club, rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in English football on a regular basis.

During that period Bolton fans have witnessed some great nights at the Reebok Stadium and Burnden Park. There have been giant killings in the cup, the joy of promotion, the despair of relegation, European football and a string of top players representing the Lancashire club.

Bolton Wanderers will always be synonymous with the likes of Nat Lofthouse, Alex Finney and Eddie Hopkinson, but who has been the Trotters’ best player over the past two decades?

John McGinlay

The big Scotsman arrived at Burnden Park in 1992 and signalled a change in fortunes at the club. His goals and lethal partnership with fellow Scot Andy Walker saw the Trotters win promotion to the second tier of English football in their first season under Bruce Rioch. McGinlay was to spend five memorable years at Bolton which included cup wins over Premier League sides Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool, a League Cup final appearance against Liverpool and promotion to the promised land in 1995. McGinlay scored 87 league goals for the club in just less than 200 appearances.

Alan Thompson

The Newcastle-born player joined Bolton Wanderers in 1993 and spent five successful years at the club. Thompson played a huge role in guiding the Trotters to the Premier League with his wizardry down the left flank, pinpoint crossing for McGinlay and Walker and his sweet free-kicks. His performances soon grabbed the attention of other Premier League sides and Aston Villa signed him in 1998 for almost £5 million. He scored 37 league goals in 157 appearances for Bolton and scored in the League Cup final defeat against Liverpool.

Alan Stubbs

Stubbs was part of the Bolton set-up before the revival under Rioch and was a phenomenal captain. Strong and committed, Stubbs was an inspirational figure in the heart of defence. Unfortunately he tainted his rapport with the fans in 1996 by seeking a move away. But have you forgiven him?

Keith Branagan

Branagan arrived at Burnden Park at the same time as Rioch and McGinlay and co and spent eight years at the club. During that time he experienced three promotions and an appearance at Wembley. Branagan was a reliable last line of defence and an excellent shot-stopper, willing to get any part of his body in the way to prevent a goal.

Gudni Bergsson

The Iceland international made his Bolton debut as a substitute at Wembley in the League Cup final in 1995 and set up Alan Thompson to score with his first touch in a Bolton shirt. From that moment on he was destined to be a fans’ favourite. The no-nonsense defender showed great loyalty to Bolton Wanderers sticking with the club as they yo-yoed between the Championship and the Premiership. He was also pretty good in front of goal too, scoring 22 league goals in 270 appearances including a rasping 35-yard strike against Barnsley on Boxing Day in 1997. Bergsson retired from the game in 2003.

Jussi Jaaskelainen

The Flying Finn arrived as a virtual unknown in 1997 but 12 years on he has become one of the Premier League’s best imports. Standing at more than 6ft tall with the reflexes of a cat, Jaaskelainen has played a major role in keeping Bolton in the top flight down the years. When he is on form he is simply unbeatable and is worth 10 points at least a season.

Jay-Jay Okocha

So good they named him twice, Okocha signed in 2002 on a free transfer from PSG and was arguably one of Sam Allardyce’s best bits of business. The Nigerian attacking midfielder had all the tricks in the world and had the Bolton fans off their seats every time he got on the ball. Never daunted by reputations or scared to show off his skills, Okocha turned many top class professionals inside out and scored some fabulous goals. He left Bolton in 2006.

Kevin Nolan

Nolan emerged on the scene in 1999 and spent a decade at the Reebok Stadium before joining Newcastle United in January. Although his past few seasons at the club were dogged with injuries and poor displays, Nolan was a real powerhouse in the early days. He made his Bolton debut in 2001 against Leicester City and scored a brace. He also scored at Old Trafford in successive seasons as they beat Manchester United. Nolan had a fantastic engine and a desire to win. Unfortunately for him he was unable to keep his early performances going and the fans began to get on his back. He scored 40 league goals in just less than 300 appearances for Bolton Wanderers.

Ivan Campo

Sam Allardyce produced the coup of the season in 2002 when he announced the loan signing of Ivan Campo from Real Madrid. The defensive midfielder with the distinctive crop of hair became a popular figure among the fans for his experienced displays for Bolton. In 2003 he opted to remain with Bolton instead of returning to Madrid. Campo’s skilful performances played a huge role as the Trotters booked their place in the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history and reached another league cup final, this time losing to Middlesbrough. Campo left the club in 2008 after Gary Megson refused to offer him a new contract.

Ricardo Gardner

The Jamaican international was brought to the club by Colin Todd for just £1 million and has proved to be great value for money. Gardner is a talented footballer who can have a major say on games. Despite going five seasons without a league goal the Bolton fans have stuck with Gardner and he has repaid them this season with three goals already, including the winner against Newcastle in March.

Kevin Davies

Davies arrived at the Reebok on a free transfer in 2003 after being released by Southampton but looks to have found his spiritual home at the Reebok. Big and powerful, Davies is a real handful for defenders and has played a pivotal role in Bolton’s rise up the Premier League and European jaunts. He may not be the most prolific player in front of goal but his link-up play is a wonderful asset to the team and he has grabbed some crucial goals, like notching the late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. Currently the club’s captain, Davies is a model professional and in the form of his life. He’s scored 12 Premier League goals so far this season and he’s been linked with an England call-up. Where would Bolton be without Kevin Davies?

Other top names to have played for Bolton over the past two decades include Andy Walker, Nathan Blake, Dean Holdsworth, Yourri Djorkaeff, Per Frandsen, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bruno N’Gotty. But just who has been Bolton’s best player over the past 20 years? I’d love to hear from you.