Chester book Bolton Wanderers friendly

The season has not yet ended but planning for the summer is officially underway. After the Leicester City match, Bolton Wanderers will have three left to play plus the possibility of playoffs. The outcome of all that will determine which division the Trotters find themselves preparing themselves for. That said, it has not stopped one of Bolton's summer friendlies being scheduled.

The Trotters will travel to Conference North side Chester FC for a 27 July friendly at the Exacta Stadium. The date is smack-dab in the middle of Bolton's pre-season schedule. It likely won't be an entirely first team affair but should still give the paying fans enough big names to see. Last year, on 28 July 2012, Bolton faced Crewe Alexandra in similar circumstances.

Speaking to Chester First, club secretary Calvin Hughes said:

"We started looking at pre-season friendlies a few weeks ago and we have been in negotiation with Bolton Wanderers for a couple of weeks.

"Bolton will be coming to play at the Exacta Stadium on July 27 and we are just waiting now on Crewe Alexandra to confirm a friendly on a Saturday in July.

"There are a couple of other irons in the fire, but we are looking way ahead now after securing automatic promotion and it's been great to be involved at a club that has won three straight league titles."

Chester, the supporter-owned successors to the liquidated Chester City, have secured their third straight automatic promotion in a row. This will take them up to the Conference National (just one step below League Two). They currently sit on 103 points from 39 games with second place 16 points back.