Kick off with a glass or two of claret!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I know, the fixtures are out and we're away to Burnley. But really, the Football League buggered that one up didn't they. Six matches are 'marking' the 125th anniversary of the Football League including ours and Derby vs Blackburn. But the opening day 8th September 1888 saw five matches take place
West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Stoke
Preston North End 5-2 Burnley
Everton 2-1 Accrington FC
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa
Derby County 6-3 Bolton Wanderers

and the six matches to mark the anniversary are:
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers
Preston v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield United v Notts County
Rochdale v Hartlepool
Newport v Accrington

Of the original five games just two could have been recreated for the anniversary, with only one of them taking place in the Football League itself: Derby County vs Bolton Wanderers. It seems to me a shame they didn't go for that option. It would have been a truly historic occasion, and revenge could have been ours.

Oh well (I know it's a bit early but) COME ON YOU WHITEMEN!

[Gooner Girl]

I know, the fixtures are out and we're away to Burnley. But really, the Football League buggered that one up didn't they. Six matches are 'marking' the 125th anniversary of the Football League including ours and Derby vs Blackburn. But the opening day 8th September 1888 saw five matches take place
West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Stoke
Preston North End 5-2 Burnley
Everton 2-1 Accrington FC
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa
Derby County 6-3 Bolton Wanderers

and the six matches to mark the anniversary are:
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers
Preston v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield United v Notts County
Rochdale v Hartlepool
Newport v Accrington

Of the original five games just two could have been recreated for the anniversary, with only one of them taking place in the Football League itself: Derby County vs Bolton Wanderers. It seems to me a shame they didn't go for that option. It would have been a truly historic occasion, and revenge could have been ours.

Oh well (I know it's a bit early but) COME ON YOU WHITEMEN!

I suppose you were just a nipper LLS, when the original game took place. I can understand you wanting to see the re-run as a grown up.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Oi, cheeky.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

So what you're saying is, instead of arranging six matches, they should just have arranged one, the relatively meaningless Derby-Bolton? Can't agree there. If you try to involve as many founder members as possible, Derby-Bolton would mean pairing Blackburn with Burnley, and neither of those clubs would have wanted that - a big derby payday translated from later in the term to be on top of the potentially big opening-day gate...

[Lost Leopard Spot]

So what you're saying is, instead of arranging six matches, they should just have arranged one, the relatively meaningless Derby-Bolton? Can't agree there. If you try to involve as many founder members as possible, Derby-Bolton would mean pairing Blackburn with Burnley, and neither of those clubs would have wanted that - a big derby payday translated from later in the term to be on top of the potentially big opening-day gate...

They could have talked to the Prem and got them to stage the West Brom/Stoke match. None of the other matches are any less or more meaningful so they could stay as they are. You'd still have had six matches to mark the anniversary even if the Burnley Blackburn game was left out. And even if the Prem didn't play ball, and without the Burnley/Blackburn match there would still have been five matches that marked the day - exactly the same number as on the original opening day.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Still don't buy it. PL don't kick off till a fortnight after FL and wouldn't play ball anyway: the FA have their own anniversary (but of course), a 150th, so they wouldn't want to go bushelling their light now, would they?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I'm not going to get my keks in a twist over it... I just thought that as six of the six games planned have absolutely nothing to do with the original opening day, that maybe having one of them to echo the ancient fixtures would help the cause. Obviously the Football League feel differently, and it's their opinion that counts, not mine. The fact you agree with the Football League rather than my suggestion is something I'm not sure I understand, but as I say, it matters not, as it isn't going to happen... I don't think the FL will do a 'QuickQuid' and I'm not going to storm the town hall steps on my own, thank you very much.

[Enoch]

It's a derby, it's on the tele and there's only forty five more to go.

After the last five games, it feels like a good time to return to winning ways.

Onward and upward!

[Madrigal]

It's a derby, it's on the tele and there's only forty five more to go.

After the last five games, it feels like a good time to return to winning ways.

Onward and upward!

Hate early kick offs, no time for pre match cocktails, still more time to celebrate after winning the game (see the optimism already)

[Vertigo]

What channel will be broadcasting games this season? Same as last?

[Enoch]

This one's on Sky Sports 1 from midday Saturday.

No surprise that the picture Sky chose to put on their advertising guff for this is one of Marcos Alonso.

[TKIZ!]

Sky are right aris holes when it comes to BWFC. Especially as we're not even mentioned on the Football League adverts.

"What're BWFC, you're a founder member of the Football League?" "Sorry but we can't have your fans on there"

[CrazyHorse]

They'll smash us.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

I'm with the Hoss. Burnley are the new Fulham. A bit shit, but we're incapable of beating them...

[BWFC_Insane]

Explanations here on fitness of NGog and LCY.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... s/10577038._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ngog left out of pre-season games to complete a specialised individual training regime to try and prevent him getting repeated "small injuries". Fit for Burnley.

LCY is fit but not perhaps ready to start at Burnley.

[Loyal White]

Team prediction...

Bogdan
Baptiste - Wheater - Knight - Tierney
Andrews - Medo - Pratley
Eagles - Ngog
Sordell

[bwfcdan94]

Sky are right aris holes when it comes to BWFC. Especially as we're not even mentioned on the Football League adverts.

"What're BWFC, you're a founder member of the Football League?" "Sorry but we can't have your fans on there"

Yet they put some Newport and Millwall fans on there. Even that mouthy b*stard Rocky got on it.

[Bruce Rioja]

Sky are right aris holes when it comes to BWFC. Especially as we're not even mentioned on the Football League adverts.

"What're BWFC, you're a founder member of the Football League?" "Sorry but we can't have your fans on there"

That's because we won't be in it for very long. Pre-season blind faith and optimism ahoy.

[mrkint]

about ngog

“He’s the kind that really has to train in an individual way. We’ve had to be smart.

“He’s very open with that and he’s a good lad, but I know he will be fit for the start of the season.”

what has ngog had to be 'open' with? Don't want to pry (well, i do, hence im saying it) but it comes across like he doesn't like anyone.

[Bijou Bob]

I can see Ngog and CYL starting on the bench and Hall getting a start on Saturday. Anyone know if GMR are covering it and more importantly, does the GMR signal reach Tarporley??