The Bolton News

The Buff

Sports EN ↓ 100 episodes

Welcome to the The Buff, a Bolton Wanderers podcast from The Bolton News.  On Thursday join chief football writer Marc Iles for a light-hearted look at the latest headlines, rumours, reaction, and some big-name guests.  Before every game we bring you The First Word with the best of the pre-match press conference and a look at the key stats behind the game, and then after the final whistle we bring you The Last Word with instant reaction.

Author

The Bolton News

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.theboltonnews.co.uk

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

The Buff presents: The latest late show since records began 12.03.2026

Welcome back to The Buff Podcast... Who has recovered from that late drama against Wycombe? Marc and Henry are back with some Wanderers therapy, discussing all the headlines and talking points from the week including... Did we really just see the best comeback English football has ever produced?  What does this mean for Wanderers' promotion chances? How soon could Amario Cozier-Duberry be bac...

The Last Word - Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Wycombe Wanderers 07.03.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... And maybe one of the greatest comebacks in Bolton Wanderers' recent history. At 87 minutes it was 2-0 to Wycombe and we were facing an inquest into what had been a pretty bang average performance to that point. But then Ruben Rodrigues signalled the fightback, Mason Burstow added an equaliser and Corey Blackett-Taylor scored a sensational winner, all within the spa...

The First Word - Bolton Wanderers v Wycombe Wanderers 06.03.2026

Welcome to The First Word - pull up a chair boys and girls, let's talk about Wycombe. Fresh from last weekend's goal glut in Exeter it's back home for Steven Schumacher's side with another three points at stake. With Cardiff playing against Lincoln City, there's a guaranteed chance to cut the gap at the top. But only if the Whites can get their job done. We hear from Steven Schumacher and Jordi Os...

The Buff presents: Intestinal fortitude, five go mad in Exeter and another 'must win' 05.03.2026

Welcome back to The Buff Podcast in a week where we have all been revelling in a five-star display at Exeter City. Bolton Wanderers found their ruthless side at St James Park, now can they stay sharp for the visit of Wycombe to the Toughsheet this weekend - and possibly a last chance to get back into the automatic promotion race. Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are (mostly) back to discuss the week's h...

The Last Word - Exeter City 1-5 Bolton Wanderers 01.03.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... And the day Wanderers finally gave someone the hiding they have been threatening. After months of shooting for goal without much reward, Steven Schumacher's side went mad in Devon to register the biggest win since he took charge. Marc Iles talks you through all the details and brings some post-match interviews with the Bolton boss and Johnny Kenny, plus a drop-in f...

The First Word - Exeter City v Bolton Wanderers 27.02.2026

Welcome to The First Word - and a long old 'poke' to Exeter City. If you are making the 500-mile round trip, then let us talk you through all the important build-up, including the press conference with Steven Schumacher and Ethan Erhahon. Russ Pollitt climbs out of his sick bed to bring you his take on the match and we are reminded why Chesney Hawkes has a special significance to this fixture.&nbs...

The Buff presents: Kia Ora farming and the "worst unbeaten run ever!" 26.02.2026

It has been a week where we could wallow in Wanderers' Premier League past glories, and then remember there's a long trip to Exeter City to come this weekend. Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are back to discuss the week's headlines from The Bolton News, including a bittersweet 2-2 draw with Ian Evatt's Blackpool and the revelation that Josh Sheehan has signed a new contract at the Toughsheet. The lads...

The Last Word - Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Blackpool 22.02.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... And a 'mad' afternoon against Ian Evatt's Blackpool. Yes, Mason Burstow's 10th goal of the season gave him a few of the headlines but Lincoln's win at Mansfield didn't exactly cheer people up either. Hear from Evatt alongside Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher, Kyle Dempsey and analysis of the game from Henry Hewitt. We have a very special offer for listeners of The...

The First Word - Bolton Wanderers v Blackpool 20.02.2026

Welcome to The First Word - and another big game in League One! Wanderers host local rivals Blackpool aiming to keep up the pressure on the sides above them in the promotion hunt, and there's the added drama of Ian Evatt's return to the Toughsheet Stadium just over a year on from his exit. We catch up with Steven Schumacher and Josh Sheehan, who has just signed a new deal keeping him at the club u...

The Buff presents: Ian Evatt's return and the Russian Youri Djorkaeff 19.02.2026

Two draws, ground lost on the top two, and the return of former boss Ian Evatt... There are no shortage of talking points for Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt on this week's Buff Podcast. We look ahead to this weekend's game against Blackpool and discuss that the last 12 months has done for Ian Evatt's legacy, what sort of reception he can expect, and if Bolton can get back on track with a win. Results...

The Last Word - Reading 1-1 Bolton Wanderers 18.02.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... And a point at Reading which kept Wanderers' unbeaten run going but meant they lost ground on the automatic promotion spots. Marc Iles talks through the major points of the game, picks out his key players, and brings in Bolton fan Henry Hewitt for his take. We also hear post-match interviews from Steven Schumacher and Chris Forino. We have a very special offer for...

The Last Word - Lincoln City 1-1 Bolton Wanderers 15.02.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... And a point that felt better than we thought it would before kick-off. Things looked tense at Sincil Bank as Lincoln City went into a first-half lead and then pummelled the Bolton penalty box after the break. But thanks to a Super Sam Dalby header and several excellent saves from Jack Bonham, Wanderers came back home with a point, and will live to fight another day...

The First Word - Lincoln City v Bolton Wanderers 13.02.2026

Welcome to The First Word - and a big game that requires a bumper sized podcast! Bolton Wanderers head to Lincoln City knowing defeat would leave them nine points adrift of second spot with the Imps also owning a game in hand... Not a scenario we want to be considering on the way back up the M1.  We catch up with Steven Schumacher and John McAtee at Lostock, plus there's a drop-by from Wander...

The Buff presents: Prawn to be a Wanderer (shellfish lovers edition) 12.02.2026

Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are back with another show packed with Bolton Wanderers headlines, gossip and chatter. Of course, the weekend's big game against Lincoln City is the main topic of conversation. Can it really be a 'must-win' match with 13 more to follow? Should Josh Sheehan or Johnny Kenny be factored into a winning team? When could we see Ruben Rodrigues, and where will he play? The lads...

The Last Word - Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Barnsley 07.02.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... And a nail-biter that nobody expected at half time. Marc Iles talks you through the details of Bolton Wanderers' 3-2 win at home to Barnsley, a game that looked like being a cakewalk at one stage but proved to be anything but. We have the post-match interviews from Steven Schumacher and winger Rob Apter plus some input from Wanderers fans Henry Hewitt and Russ Poll...

The First Word - Bolton Wanderers v Barnsley 06.02.2026

Welcome to The First Word - and now that the transfer window is closed, time for the real business to begin. The first of 16 games remaining for Wanderers, old foes Barnsley come to the Toughsheet having had some difficulties in January and with a backlog of fixtures with which to contend. We hear from Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher ahead of the match, and catch up with the Barnsley side of thin...

Leave us a loan! The Buff's great big transfer window debrief 05.02.2026

Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are back again with a packed out show bringing you the best of the Bolton Wanderers headlines from The Bolton News. Deadline Day has been and gone, so we look back at the highs and lows of the transfer window and some of the late surprises that popped up for Fergal Harkin, Steven Schumacher and Co. We look ahead to this weekend's game at Barnsley and give our predictions...

Deadline Day Review: What happened, and what didn't happen at Wanderers 02.02.2026

The second of our mini-podcast updates on transfer deadline day, bringing you up to speed with everything that went on at Bolton Wanderers on deadline day. Among the topics for discussion for Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are the abandoned chase for Ryan Hardie, the late capture of Johnny Kenny, rejected bids for John McAtee and a £500,000 offer for Kilmarnock's David Watson. We have a very spe...

Deadline Day Update: The Bolton Wanderers scene-setter 02.02.2026

The first of our mini-podcast updates on transfer deadline day, bringing you up to speed with what's going on at Bolton Wanderers. Among the topics for discussion for Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are the risks involved in pursuing Ryan Hardie, the mystery 'second signing' and whether John McAtee goes anywhere this January. We have a very special offer for listeners of The Buff Podcast - so take note...

The Last Word - AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Bolton Wanderers 31.01.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... a game of two halves, neither of which Bolton Wanderers lost. The first 45 minutes was as good as it has been on the road for the Whites. The second half was more of a defensive effort, not without its tension. But the net result is another three points on the board and a third successive win at the end of a really tough January schedule. Marc Iles talks you throug...

The First Word - AFC Wimbledon v Bolton Wanderers 31.01.2026

Welcome to The First Word - and after a week of transfer talk, down to the football. Wanderers head to AFC Wimbledon looking to put some pressure on second-placed Lincoln City with two new signings set to make their debuts in Corey Blackett-Taylor and Rob Apter. We speak to head coach Steven Schumacher on the first anniversary of his appointment as Bolton boss and hear his thoughts ahead of transf...

Ticking down the transfer window: What do Wanderers still need? 29.01.2026

Welcome back to The Buff - and before anyone starts booing, hear us out... Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are back for another podcast packed with news, gossip, emails and headlines in a week where folk have been in a bit of a bad mood. There's not long to go in the transfer window but deals are starting to happen. We hear about the latest ones involving Corey Blackett-Taylor, Rob Apter and Aaron Morl...

The Last Word - Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Burton Albion 28.01.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... and another late, late show to keep Wanderers firing in the promotion race. Sam Dalby's double was enough to earn three points for the Whites in a game that won't go down as a classic of the genre but which had a suitably impressive plot twist at the end. Listen to post-match interviews from Steven Schumacher and Sam Dalby plus Henry Hewitt's view on the game. We h...

The First Word - Bolton Wanderers v Burton Albion 27.01.2026

Welcome to The First Word - and a midweek clash with Burton Albion that has a fair amount going on in the background. Marc Iles talks you through the matchday build-up, including Steven Schumacher's press conference, plus the news that Amario Cozier-Duberry will be out of action for several weeks. In a transfer window that has already raised the tension stakes, can Wanderers afford to take any lon...

The Last Word - Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Leyton Orient 25.01.2026

Welcome back to The Last Word... and another gruelling game made bearable by the fact that Bolton Wanderers won! Listen to Steven Schumacher and winning goal-scorer Mason Burstow after the 2-1 win against Leyton Orient plus input from BWFC fans Henry Hewitt and Russ Pollitt. We have a very special offer for listeners of The Buff Podcast - so take note. Subscription to The Bolton News will cost jus...

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