Football Season Guide

Bolton Wanderers’ redemption arc has been completed and the Trotters have finally returned to the Championship. It’s been seven years since the club was on the verge of collapse under the ownership of Ken Anderson and there has been some turmoil during that time too, most notably under head coach Ian Evatt, with the loyalty shown by Owner Sharon Brittan, being met with fierce criticism. Brittan can therefore allow herself a little smile with his steady and sure leadership having taken the club back into the second tier of English football. It was the appointment of Steven Schumacher in January 2025 that led to last season’s promotion, via the play-offs. Balancing the budgets has been a tricky task given the basket case Brittan inherited in 2019, but key signings in the likes of centre-half Chris Forino, midfielder Josh Sheehan and striker Sam Dalby have given the team a strong spine, supplemented by loanees in Amario Cozier-Duberry and Corey Blackett-Taylor, who were both match-winners in their own right. The individual skill and flair supplied by the likes of Cozier-Duberry and Blackett-Taylor are notable by their absence. Cozier-Duberry was a real cheat code in League One and finding another player that makes such an impact will be tricky. A return for Blackett-Taylor seems more likely, although he has a number of suitors. It currently needs the likes of Thierry Gale to step-up, yet despite showing the occasional spark, flattered to deceive last season. There’s also a big hole in the attack, with just the fit-again Dab likely to plough a lone furrow. There’s certainly no doubt that the side needed strengthening, particularly in attack, and there’s plenty of work still to be done in the transfer market. Nonetheless the building blocks are already in place as Schumacher looks ahead to the new season. If they can make a positive start, they can give themselves a chance of surviving at a higher level.