Expert View: Bolton fans’ taking pride at Trafford’s City return

James Trafford will always be welcome in Bolton.

And, if he returns in City colours one day, he’ll be welcomed with open arms by a fanbase that took the young goalkeeper to their hearts – that is the opinion of Marc Iles, Chief Football writer of the Bolton News.

Iles has covered Wanderers for the past 21 years and followed Trafford’s 18 months at was then the Reebok Stadium.

His only full campaign with the club saw Bolton win the EFL Trophy and Trafford win the club’s Young Player of the Year and win a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

It’s fair to say he made quite an impression – though it didn’t exactly start that way!

“There was definitely what is best described as a negative reaction when James was announced and I’m fairly certain he was aware of it,” recalls Iles.

“Things hadn’t gone fantastically well at Accrington where he was on the bench towards the end of the loan – and now, aged 19, he was going to be Bolton’s first choice.

“I remember sitting down to interview him for the first time and he said, ‘I’m going to be Manchester City’s No.1 one day and England’s No.1’ and I was like, ‘whoa, steady on lad!’ But he has such confidence in his own ability.

“So, there was a lot of noise and concern from Wanderers fans, but I think Traff silenced those within about 20 minutes of his debut.

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“He was superb, and the fans bought into him immediately and he just got the club, and they got him – it was just one of those moves that worked for everyone.

“He had his eccentricities like most keepers seem to have and he played it up for the fans, without doubt – and they loved him for it.

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“I think Matt Gilks, the goalkeeper coach at the time, really took a shine to Traff and told the manager – Ian Evatt – ‘this kid is headed for the top’.

“He was the first keeper in Bolton’s history to keep clean sheets in his first four games – quite a feat!

“He did really well after joining in January and everyone was delighted when a deal was agreed for a season-long loan for 2022/23.”

Iles believes it wasn’t only the fact Trafford was playing so well in goal for the club that made him popular, it was his personality and affinity with the people connected with the club on and off the pitch.

“Traff is so approachable and well liked,” says Iles.

“He moved nearby and when he was out in the town, he always had time for the fans, which a lot of young footballers his age don’t necessarily do and can be wary about.

“He’d sit down and have a coffee, pose for pictures and always have time to speak to people, and that sort of thing goes down really well with supporters.

“He was great for the journalists, too, as he always had something interesting to say or an unusual take on things that could make you smile.

“It’s fair to say the Bolton fans loved Traff and he made a huge impression during his 18 months at the club.

“And it wasn’t just the fans – the club staff, security guards, chefs, cleaners… nobody has a bad word to say about him, and he is spoken of in glowing terns two years after he left Bolton.

“I think it’s fair to say that Bolton fans are taking a lot of pride in watching Traff progress.

“They all want him to get to the top and by returning to City, he has every opportunity of doing just that.

“If he returns to Bolton in City colours one day, he’ll get the warmest of welcomes and if he’s ever in town, he’ll never need to buy another pint because they’ll be queuing up to buy him one.”