Bolton Statto Pack

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 19/02/2001

After Town's 1-0 victory against Burnley, Lennie Lawrence will be hoping that his side carries this form into the game against high-flyers Bolton. However, the omens are no good as Town have won only 27% of their 26 games on their travels against the Trotters.

All Time Record

P 53 W 16 D 16 L 21

Past Encounters

In one of the most gripping opening games of recent years, Town battled out a 3-3 draw at Blundell Park in the 1994-95 season. This was the year when Alan Buckley left for the hotseat at West Brom, along with his entire backroom staff.

All three of the Mariners goals came from crowd-favourite Clive Mendonca, on a hot August afternoon. The Bolton goals came from Mixu Paatelienen (2) [currently with Hibs] and John McGinaly. The reverse fixture that season also ended 3-3 with Woods, Jobling and Groves netting for Town, whilst Grimsby's Steve Livingstone was sent off after the Mariners had lead 2-0. Town finished the season under Brian Laws in a highly respectable 10th place, while Bolton were promoted in a pulsating play-off final with the Trotters winning 4-3 against Reading at Wembley.

Past Players

Over the years, there have been a multitude of players who have played for both Wanderers and Town. One of these was JIMMY HERNON, who made 91 appearances for Town, scoring 24 goals from the left wing position. He joined Town for £2500 in 1951 after 6 years at Burnden Park. Hernon then went on to play for Watford before retiring in 1957.

Town favourite CHARLIE WRIGHT made over 100 appearances for the Mariners between the sticks. He joined Town in 1962 from Workington and since then enhanced his reputation as a solid keeper and an excellent coach. Wright made 88 appearances for Bolton from 1971-74, before becoming York City manager from 1977-80. He then was coach at a number of league clubs, before becoming Bolton's manager in 1980.

DAVID FELGATE started his career at Bolton, but made no appearances for the Lancashire side, although the keeper had loan spells at Rochdale and Crewe during his time at Burnden Park.

In 1984 Felgate signed for Grimsby making some fine appearances between the sticks, filling in for Nigel Batch when required. In total he spent 2 and a half years at Blundell Park, clocking up 24 first team appearances. In 1986 Felgate returned to Bolton and remained there until 1993, making a total of 198 appearances for the Trotters.

The Mariner's 1980 player of the year DEAN CROMBIE made 95 appearances for Bolton in their back four from 1987 to 1991. The popular, Lincoln-born defender was influential in George Kerr's 1980 Third division title winning side, and played under four different Town managers following his debut for Grimsby in 1978.

Other players to feature for both clubs in the 1980's include NEIL MATTHEWS, who had a loan spell at Bolton, TONY CALDWELL, who started his career at Bolton and Leeds-born GARY HENSHAW.

NIGEL JEMSON also had a spell at Grimsby under Alan Buckley, as did AIDAN DAVISON who kept nearly 30 clean sheets for Town in their triumphant 1997-98 season. Davison was signed by Buckley on a free transfer in 1997 and despite being one of Towns most successful keepers of recent years, left in 1999 after a rumoured bust-up with Alan Buckley,

He then was found languishing in Sheffield United's reserves until he signed for Bradford, where he is currently the Bantam's number two in the top flight.

One former Bolton player currently on books at Blundell Park is MICHAEL JEFFREY, who started his career at the Lancashire outfit, although made only a handful of appearances. Since then Jeffrey has played for Newcastle, Rotherham, Kilmarnock and also had a spell in Holland, before he was became former Grimsby manager Alan Buckley's last signing this summer. Since then Jeffrey has struggled to settle down, but in recent games has formed a new partnership with Steve Livingstone, putting in some excellent performances for the Mariners.

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