For the next stop in our 'Residence' series we find ourselves back in the North West and outside one of English football's most impressive stadiums from the new-build era. Inside the 'University of Bolton Stadium' we go, unsurprisingly the home of Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton, the home of Peter Kay, Amir Khan, cotton-weaving and the sexiest floodlights in English football. Built in 1997, the UoB Stadium was one of the first out-of-town bowl stadiums, a genre of stadia that often gets a bad rep, but not this one. Bolton reside at a ground that seduces drivers of the M61 daily, especially at night with its diamond shaped pylons and complementing roof structure. A real spectacle of a ground that gives you an extended buzz of match-day upon approach, long before you reach the turnstiles.
The UoB stadium is distinctive, and one of the most recognisable, certainly from the exterior, in the Football League. As far as newer built stadiums go, this is beautiful, and makes other 'bowl' grounds feel lifeless and lazily constructed in terms of originality. Bolton have been blessed with character and a stadium that provides a stunning match day experience when full.
Inside, and that almost-webbed roof structure still dominates in stunning style. A full enclosed stadium that sees the lower tier sweep around the full pitch below four separate upper tiers. No, it's not your classic city centre ground surrounded by pubs, but it's undoubtably a must visit in its own right. Close to the pitch feels with a steep rake that provides the perfect view from any seat. Easy one to tick off more than once, this.
Just look at those curves...
The University of Bolton Stadium (originally the Reebok Stadium and more recently the Macron) has a capacity of 28,723.
Above: The South Stand can hold up to 5,000 away fans.
Did you know the video for Coldplay's 'Fix You' was shot here? Full of useful info, us.
If it's good enough for Jay-Jay Okocha to once call home, then that's good enough for us. Bolton are back in the Championship after a short stay in League One, and while the days of hosting Atletico Madrid in the Europa League are distant memories for now, this is a venue that's always ready for a return to the big time.
