For the first time since 29th February last year, Bolton will get to (legitimately) play in front of their own fans with a small contingent of Wanderers fans at the Mike Riding Ground for our first pre-season friendly against Longridge Town.
The squad have been back for about a fortnight now, with the usual running and some actual football work as part of the program, and now the players can get back into a match situation. Ian Evatt has said an interview that there will probably be two different teams, one for each half, and from there the players’ minutes will be gradually built up to prepare for the League One opener against MK Dons four weeks tomorrow.
IAN EVATT | Manager ahead of pre-season opener at Longridge Town – YouTube
There will however, be two Bolton players missing, due to COVID, Evatt hasn’t said who these are. Reading between the lines there’s been one positive and a close contact. In any case, there should be plenty of players to watch for those who are lucky enough to have tickets.
Longridge play in the North West Counties League Premier Division – they’re best known to us as the club from which we signed George Thomason. The match is being staged to celebrate the 25th birthday of the club, having been formed in 1996. In their last completed season, 2018/19, they won the NWCFL Division One North.
It should hopefully be a decent day, with Bolton fans being finally allowed in a football ground again. With it being pre-season, the result isn’t particularly important, just a chance to enjoy the occasion.