1995–96 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season


The 1995–1996 season was the 117th season in Bolton Wanderers F.C.'s existence, and their first ever season in the Premier League following promotion from the Football League First Division.
This article covers the period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996.

Season summary

returned to the top flight after a 15-year exile, only eight years after playing in the old Fourth Division, but with a new manager in Roy McFarland following Bruce Rioch's move to Arsenal. Bolton made a terrible start to the campaign and McFarland made several moves in the transfer market, but this was not enough to turn things around and he was sacked on New Year's Day with Bolton bottom of the table and just two wins to their name. His assistant Colin Todd took over, and Bolton's form improved, but they could not stave off relegation. In spite of this, their form under Todd was so improved that, had the results from under Todd's management been shown all season, Bolton would have stayed up in 14th place.

Squad

Left club during season

Results

Premier League

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F – A		ScorersAttendance
19 August 1995WimbledonA2 – 3Thompson 27', de Freitas 39'9,317
22 August 1995Newcastle UnitedH1 – 3Bergsson20,243
26 August 1995Blackburn RoversH2 – 1de Freitas 21', Stubbs 80'20,253
30 August 1995Aston VillaA0 – 131,770
9 September 1995MiddlesbroughH1 – 1McGinlay 21'18,376
16 September 1995Manchester UnitedA0 – 332,812
23 September 1995LiverpoolA2 – 5Todd 77', Patterson 81' 40,104
30 September 1995Queens Park RangersH0 – 117,362
14 October 1995EvertonH1 – 1Paatelainen 1'20,427
21 October 1995Nottingham ForestA2 – 3Sneekes 22', de Freitas 78'25,426
30 October 1995ArsenalH1 – 0McGinlay 35'18,682
4 November 1995Manchester CityA0 – 128,397
18 November 1995West Ham UnitedH0 – 319,047
22 November 1995ChelseaA2 – 3Ćurčić 10, Green 68'17,495
25 November 1995SouthamptonA0 – 114,404
2 December 1995Nottingham ForestH1 – 1de Freitas 67'17,342
9 December 1995LiverpoolH0 – 121,042
16 December 1995Queens Park RangersA1 – 2Sellars 43'11,456
23 December 1995Tottenham HotspurA2 – 2Green 77', Bergsson 79'30,702
27 December 1995Leeds UnitedH0 – 218,414
30 December 1995Coventry CityH1 – 2McGinlay 16'16,678
1 January 1996Sheffield WednesdayA2 – 4Ćurčić 51', Taggart 77'24,872
13 January 1996WimbledonH1 – 0McGinlay 44' 16,216
20 January 1996Newcastle UnitedA1 – 2Bergsson 19'36,543
3 February 1996Blackburn RoversA1 – 3Green 29'30,419
10 February 1996Aston VillaH0 – 218,099
17 February 1996MiddlesbroughA4 – 1Blake 12', Coleman 45', de Freitas 62', Lee 73'29,354
25 February 1996Manchester UnitedH0 – 621,381
2 March 1996Leeds UnitedA1 – 0Bergsson30,106
16 March 1996Coventry CityA2 – 0Stubbs 60', 70'17,226
20 March 1996Tottenham HotspurH2 – 3Stubbs 74', Sellars 84'17,829
23 March 1996Sheffield WednesdayH2 – 1Sellars 52', Ćurčić 52'18,368
30 March 1996Manchester CityH1 – 1McGinlay 74'21,050
6 April 1996EvertonA0 – 337,974
8 April 1996ChelseaH2 – 1McGinlay 40', Ćurčić 44'18,021
13 April 1996West Ham UnitedA0 – 123,086
27 April 1996SouthamptonH0 – 118,795
5 May 1996ArsenalA1 – 2Todd 76'38,104

F.A. Cup

Coca-Cola Cup

Top scorers

PPlayerPositionPLFACLCTotal
1 John McGinlayStriker6219
2 Saša ĆurčićMidfielder4127
3 Fabian de FreitasStriker5005
4= Guðni BergssonDefender4004
4= Alan StubbsDefender4004