Bolton Wanderers have the rare distinction of being the club that has spent the most years - 71 including the 2008-9 campaign - in the top flight of English football without actually winning the title.

Cup success, rather than League glory, has characterised Bolton's history and despite their dogged preservation of top-division status, the Wanderers were known mainly for their three FA Cup triumphs in the 1920s.

Wanderers FC won it again in 1958, inspired by England centre-forward Nat Lofthouse, the Bolton's most famous player.

Bolton Wanderers started life as Christ Church FC thanks to the Reverend John Farrall Wright in 1874. It changed its name to Bolton Wanderers in 1877 and was a founder member of the Football League, which was set up in 1888.

Also known as the Trotters, they have picked up only four divisional championships in their history, winning the Second Division in 1909 and 1978, Division Three in 1973 and the Division One crown in 1997.

Bolton Wanderer's current run of eight seasons in the Premier League is their best spell in English football's top flight since their unbroken run from 1935-36 to 1963-64, which fell either side of the break for the Second World War.

Bolton FC made their Premiership bow in 1995-96 but were relegated that season. However, Bolton returned a year later as Division One champions under manager Bruce Rioch, scoring a club record 100 goals and securing club bests for their 28 wins and points total of 98.

The following campaign saw Bolton Wanderers move from their 102-year-old home, at Burnden Park, to the Reebok Stadium, and drop out of the top flight again.

However, former Wanderers defender Sam Allardyce helped Bolton climb back up into the Premier League in 2001 and the club has gone from strength to strength since then, qualifying for the UEFA Cup for the first time in 2005 and again in 2007 after finishing sixth and seventh respectively.