Burnden Park was the home of Bolton Wanderers for 102 years.
1997 saw no less than five clubs relocating from their spiritual homes as Bolton, Brighton, Derby, Stoke and Sunderland all made their way to pastures new.
Burnden Park was the scene of one of British football’s worst disasters. In 1946, an FA Cup tie between Bolton and Stoke City saw 33 people killed and around 400 injured, following a crush in a crowd estimated at 85,000 – 15,000 more than Burnden Park’s then capacity.
The official record attendance at Burnden Park was back on the 18th February 1933, when 69,912 spectators saw Bolton beath their Lancashire rivals, Manchester City 4-2 in an FA Cup 5th round tie.
In later years, visiting away fans to Burnden Park will probably remember that the Normid superstore blocked their view of one corner flag. The away section covered about half the width of the pitch and was an open terrace.
To the left was a long-covered terrace that ran the length of the pitch and was where Bolton’s more vocal support congregated. This terrace joined onto the opposite end, which was a seated stand with a roof over it. On the other side of Burnden Park was the main stand which contained the player’s tunnel.
The last Bolton Wanderers game at Burnden Park, saw the home side defeat Charlton Athletic 4-1 and lift the division one title in doing so. Great memories for any Trotters fans who were there.
Burnden Park was demolished in 1999.