Bolton Wanderers FC v Oxford United FC, a 'Macron derby' for a place in the EFL Championship

Wembley Stadium hosts today, Saturday 18 May, the challenge between Bolton Wanderers FC and Oxford United FC valid as the League One Play-Off Final to gain the last available place that is worth the participation in the EFL Championship 2024-2025. A final that is also a 'derby' between two clubs that wear Macron and belong to the history of English football. The Trotters have ambitions to return to the highest level of British football, from which they have been missing for over a decade. The U's want to write a significant page in their history.

Bolton Wanderers are one of the oldest clubs in English football. Founded in 1874, they are among the founding members of the Football Association and boast a trophy room that includes four FA Cups and a Charity Shield. Amongst their participation in European Cups, Trotters' fans well remember the 2007-2008 season, with access to the round of 16 of the UEFA Cup and victories against Atletico Madrid and Red Star and an away draw against Bayern Munich.

Oxford United FC can also boast a respectable history of over one hundred and thirty years, starting in 1893 when 'the boys from over the hill' began to participate in the first football tournaments. In the album of memories of the club from the 'city of dreamy spires' and home of the oldest university in the Anglo-Saxon world, the 1986 League Cup victory, when a yellow tide invaded the Wembley stands to support their team against the more accredited Queens Park Rangers FC, will certainly remain etched in their memory. The match ended 3-0 to Oxford United, joy exploded on the pitch and in the stands and that yellow shirt with an ox head on its chest shone like never before.

Wembley and its old and new magic thus returns to determine the fate of these two clubs. Bolton Wanderers FC overcame Barnsley FC in the semi-final, while Oxford United FC got the better of Peterborough United FC. Between the two a common denominator, the Macron Hero which is present on the shirts of both contenders of this final, that will surely be a beautiful challenge for a place in the EFL Championship next year.

On the pitch the passion, the sense of belonging, colours, symbols, history and the desire to reach the final goal. In short, the spirit shared by Macron and its partner clubs and the belief that it will be an exciting, spectacular and thrilling confrontation.