Welsh trio guide Bolton Wanderers to automatic promotion
Bolton Wanderers secured promotion from League Two at the first time of asking, with a commanding 4-1 victory at Crawley Town.
It has been a season of highs and lows for Ian Evatt’s side, who endured a rocky start in the fourth tier before winning 15 of their last 20 matches.
With back to back relegations which saw them plunge from the Championship to League Two, being a Bolton supporter has not been easy work. However, after their recent promotion, there lies a lingering notion that the good times could return once more.
And, in the win at the Broadfield Stadium, three Welshmen played their part. Lloyd Isgrove, who has played once for the senior team, netted his third goal of the campaign in the 77th minute, whereas Declan John and Gethin Jones both provided assists.
As a result of Bolton’s relegation from League One last season, a sizeable shakeup was conducted within the playing squad.
This facilitated the arrivals of Isgrove and Jones ahead of the current campaign and they have both gone on to become important players since.
Isgrove has racked up a league-high 32 appearances this season and after playing for a variety of clubs, there is a school of thought that he has finally found a home at the Macron Stadium.
Jones, a player with prior experience at this level with Carlisle United, has also played 37 times to help his side to third place.
As they prepare for life back in League One, Bolton will undoubtedly harbour ambitions of making John’s stay permanent.
John has previously played Premier League football and has translated his quality to the fourth tier, making 21 appearances since joining on loan from Swansea City in January.
It is no coincidence that Bolton’s upturn in form has coincided with his arrival and only a month into his loan, he scooped the PFA Fans Player of the Month award back in February.
