I talk to a former Bolton amateur
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a man called Peter who was on Bolton Wanderers’ books during the ’70s. He tells us about a few of his memories of Burnden Park…
“I was an amateur at Bolton playing first for the ‘B’ team and then the ‘A’ I think it was 1969 to 1971 when I left as they would not sign me as a professional.
The chief scout was Colin Mcdonald the ex Burnley and England goalkeeper, he told me at 19 that I had potential and if I improved in the next season he would consider signing me as a part time pro, he told this to my dad. Then two weeks later he took a similar job at Bury and they had no money and he had no place for me there.
We played all our games at Bromwich Street which was a very good looking place, I have no idea now where it was located. I lived in Manchester and took a Number 6 or number 8 bus I think from Salford Bus Station to the ground. If I went to Burnden I could go by train from Victoria to Bolton I think, Trinity Street a short walk I remember to Burnden. I think Nat and then Jimmy Mcilroy were managers when I was there and Stan Hanson ex Bolton goalie who ran a post office across from the ground was A team manager.
I always got a thrill going into Burnden park as a kid and was in awe of the place as I always wanted to be a full time pro, sadly it never happened.
I played some semi pro for Glossop FC for about five years, then Hyde and a few North West Counties teams like Cheadle Town.”
Thanks very much to Peter for getting in touch. It’s such a shame that the club is in such utter disarray at this time given its tremendously rich history.