Bolton Wanderers’ Record Appearance Makers: Europe - The Attack

Time for the final part of our look through Bolton Wanderers’ record appearance makers from Europe. This brings us to a fairly strong attacking quartet, with some huge fan favourites from happier times.

LW: Stelios Giannakopoulos - 177 apps - Greece

Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images

Stelios started with his local side Ethnikos Asteras in 1991 and enjoyed promotion to the professional leagues at the end of his debut season. He spent a couple more years at his local side before making the move to Paniliakos where he spent a further three years.

In 1996 he moved to Olympiacos at the beginning of an era of unprecedented success for the team as they won the Greek top flight in each of Stelios’ seven seasons there. On a personal note Stelios scored Olympiacos’ first ever Champions League goal, a goal which is still considered one of the best scored in the competition. Stelios made almost 200 appearances scoring over 60 times.

When his contract expired in 2003 he made his first move overseas to Bolton. He was a key component as Bolton moved up to the next level with a top eight finish and a League Cup final defeat. The summer of 2004 would be a successful one for Stelios who was a member of the Greece side who won the Euros, against the odds.

His form at Bolton gained admiring glances from Liverpool, but he stayed with Bolton and saw his stock rise in 2005/06 as he was Bolton’s top goal scorer. He had a knack of scoring important goals, including a winner against Arsenal in the FA Cup and an equaliser in a 4-3 win at Ewood Park the year before.

He was another player let go by Gary Megson after Bolton secured survival at the end of the 2007/08 season, despite chipping in with some vital goals in the relegation fight. He has recently confirmed that he would have liked to end his career with Bolton, but as with many around that time was not even able to properly say goodbye.

On leaving Bolton he teamed up with Phil Brown at Hull City after they were promoted to the Premier League. He failed to make a real impact and returned to Greece with AEL at the end of the season.

In his first season with AEL he was a key player as they qualified for Europe, against the odds. But due to injuries he was not able to make an impact the following year and called time on his playing career.

After a spell as president of the Greek Professional Footballers Association, he moved onto management with Paniliakos. Following his sacking he moved to manage A.E. Kifisia and then became assistant manager for the Greek national team.

RW: Claus Jensen - 109 apps - Denmark

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Jenson started his career in the Danish lower leagues before being loaned to Naestved BK having been on the books of his local side Nykobing Falster Alliancen. He could not help Naestved avoid relegation from the top flight but returned there the next season with Lyngby. He stayed with Lyngby for two years.

Jensen then spent two seasons at Bolton and during that time made his debut for the Denmark national team. His quality was evident during his time at the club making him a favourite with the fans.

He left to join then Premier League Charlton Athletic in 2000, at the same time as fellow Wanderer Mark Fish. He spent four years with Charlton again becoming a fans favourite before moving to Fulham where he spent the last three years of his career. His time with Fulham was hampered by injury.

During his international career he played for Denmark nearly 50 times, taking part in both the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 European Championships.

On retiring Jensen stayed in the game and has most recently moved from being general manager of Nykobing to being their manager.

ST: Henrik Pedersen - 171 apps - Denmark

Photo by Nick Potts - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Pedersen started and ended his career with Silkeborg IF, and also spent time there on loan during his time with Bolton. In total he spent about 11 years with the Danish side. While there he received a call up for the national team and won the Danish Cup.

When the time came to leave his homeland he moved to Bolton upon the club’s promotion to the Premier League. He made his debut in the opening day 5-0 win over Leicester City, but struggled to hold down a first team place, returning at this point to Silkeborg on loan. The next season though he became a key part of the Bolton squad and would continue to be up until he left the club in 2007.

During his time at the club he become well know for his peacock celebration, which can be seen in the above photo. His on pitch highlights include a, defiantly intentional, wonder goal against Newcastle United and smashing home a goal through Manuel Almunia in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

On leaving Bolton he joined Hull for the season which saw them promoted to the Premier League. He struggled to make an impact due to injuries and return to Silkeborg the next season, where he would make another 100 odd appearances in four years.

ST: Bo Hansen - 119 apps - Denmark

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Hansen started out with home town side Holstebro Boldklub where he spent four years. During his time there he was quickly linked with a move to Brondby and eventually moved there in 1994.

His form upon joining Brondby was recognised with his one and only Denmark cap. He was part of the side which won three top flight titles on the trot, and was in fine form towards the end of his time with the club.

He joined Bolton at the beginning of 1999, and initially struggled to find the back of the net. His first goal came the following season when Bolton were still in Division One following an unsuccessful play off campaign. He remained with the club on promotion to the Premier League in 2001 and played around 20 times in the league as Bolton staved off relegation.

He left Bolton at the end of that season returning to Denmark with FC Midtjylland. He spent two years with the club before injury problems prompted him to retire.

Hansen still works in the game as an attacking coach back in his hometown at Holstebro.