FORMER players and staff turned out in number for a special surprise retirement party for Wanderers secretary Simon Marland.

The 63-year-old is set to step away from full-time duties after 22 years in his current role but an association with the club that stretches back to the early 1980s.

Lifelong Bolton fan Marland took over from Des McBain in 2000 and worked alongside some of the biggest names in the club’s history.

A special gathering was held in Marland’s honour at the Nam Ploy Thai Restaurant at Middlebrook, organised by former player liaison officer Sue Whittle.

The restaurant laid on a fabulous spread of food to welcome back some old faces from the Burnden Park days, right up to the modern day.

Former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was among the guests joined by the likes of Phil Brown, Stelios, Nicky Hunt, John Byrom and Steve Thompson.

 

The Bolton News:

Simon Marland and Sam Allardyce

 

The Bolton News:

Phil Brown with Joe McGlynn

 

The Bolton News:

Simon Marland with Stelios and Nicky Hunt

 

The Bolton News:

Steve Thompson, Simon Marland, Derek Scott and Jeff Chandler

 

The Bolton News:

Ally Marland, Simon Marland and Ciaran Marland

 

The Bolton News:

John Thomas and John Byrom (JT and JB!)

 

The Bolton News:

Gordon Sharrock and Marc Iles