Burnden Aces at The Reebok
This coming Saturday is set to be best pre-season friendly (and fun day) ever, in my opinion. Not only do Bolton Wanderers take on Scottish Premier League side Hibernian Football Club at The Reebok Stadium but there is a ‘Legends Match’ too.
Bolton Wanderers verses Hibernian is being billed as Jussi Jaaskelainen’s testimonial. The idea of having a testimonial match for Jaaskelainen was not because he is leaving and hanging up his boots. It is more of a celebration of Jussi’s service to the club after joining The Whites in 1997. The celebrations will continue into the evening with dinner being served in the Premier Suite. You can join Jussi, team–mates and former BWFC squad member for dinner for just £82.50.
When it was announced that Hibernian Football Club were to play at The Reebok Jussi told the Bolton News website;
“I am extremely proud of what I have achieved at Bolton Wanderers and it has been tremendous to represent this club for as long as I have done.”
Bolton’s goalkeeper also said that he was looking forward to meeting fellow countryman and former Wanderer Mixu Paatelainen, but poor Mixu was sacked from his managerial position at Easter Road. Mixu may make an appearance, not as the Hibernian manager but as one of the former Bolton players that are to appear in the Legends Match. It would be great to hear his name being sung to ‘No Limits‘ by 2 Unlimited.
The Legends Match will involve a number of Burnden Park greats including; former captian Gudni Bergsson, Love God Ivan Campo, Claus Jensen, pie eater Tony Kelly, BWFC academy’s David Lee and Nicky Spooner (maybe Jimmy Philips too), Gerry Taggart, eighties striker John Thomas, Alan Thompson (who scored the best goal on the day that Bolton lost to Liverpool in the League Cup at Wembley in 1995), Andy Walker (the great striker who unfortunately broke his leg, but still managed to raise a crutch to the Burnden terraces after chants of his name).
Alas John McGinlay has not been mentioned on the official Bolton Wanderers website, but you never know if he will make a special appearance to make the ladies swoon. The last I heard is that Super John was in Ohio as the Cincinnati Kings assistant coach.
Other notable Wanderers that will make an appearance include the infamous Frank Worthington (see below) and nineties goalkeeper Keith Branagan. Local boxer Amir Khan is also said to be making a ’special appearance’.
The Legends Match kicks off at 1:15pm and Bolton take on Hibs at a more traditional 3:00pm start.
It should be a grand day out for Wanderers fans of all ages.
The “Beautiful Worthington Goal”
Read more about the Legends Match and Jussi’s Testimonial against Hibs on the official Bolton Wanderers website.
