A BOOK which charts Bolton Wanderers' illustrious past will be launched this week.

Making Headlines, a history of Bolton Wanderers as seen through the pages of the Bolton Evening News, will hit the shelves on Thursday at an event attended by the club's most celebrated players of past and present.

Written by the paper's former editor, Les Gent, the book retraces the steps of one of the country's oldest clubs, from its formation in 1874 through the years when the club languished at the lower end of the football league to its re-emergence as one of the Premier League's leading forces.

Mr Gent, who edited the Bolton Evening News for eight years and has been a season ticket holder of long standing, has had much more than a professional interest in the club's fortunes.

"In some senses, I've had a foot in both camps," he said.

"I've enjoyed putting the book together and, I must admit, I've learned a lot myself.

"There are even things that happened in my time as editor of the Evening News that I had forgotten about.

"It has been a special project for me."

Throughout its long and distinguished history, the affairs of Bolton Wanderers - the highs and the lows - have been reported by the Bolton Evening News.

For 130 years, the paper has provided its readers with extensive and unrivalled coverage of the matches, the characters, the successes and the tragedies of a club that has been one of the major influences in the development of the national game.

Mr Gent said: "The Bolton Evening News was first published in 1867 and the football club was formed in 1874, so they have grown up together.

"They developed into the town's two great institutions, becoming an important part of people's lives."

Making Headlines is not intended to be a statistical record of matches or the achievements of players who have worn the white shirt, but it does give an insight into the major events that have contributed to the club's development.

It is not only informative but has the capacity to entertain and amuse, as it dips into the fascinating history of one of the game's famous old clubs.

"It struck me as strange to find an early report that revealed that 'Rain Stopped Play' on one occasion," Les added.

"And on a tour of Greece, Wanderers learned how it was customary that, instead of tossing up before a game, the captains cracked two boiled eggs together and the one whose egg was less damaged got to choose ends.

"Stories like that, alongside the reports of major events, make this a coffee table book which can be dipped into any time.

"I'm sure it will be on any fan's wish list."

Sam Allardyce and Jay-Jay Okocha are expected at an event to launch the book at the Reebok Superstore on Thursday at 6pm.

Assistant manager Phil Brown and legendary FA cup winner Roy Hartle will also be present.