While Manchester City were being crowned Champions of the English Premier League there was something much sadder happening as Bolton Wanderers were confirmed as the third and final team to be relegated from England’s top flight this season.
It was tight, but even though QPR lost and Bolton drew away to Stoke, 2-2, the Trotters were the ones to be officially declared as a Championship side for the 2012/13 season.
In a day that would bruise the common sense of any onlooker the permutations changed over and again as the minutes ticked by. Bolton were winning and would have stayed up, but then QPR took a lead. Stoke equalized and all was certain for Rangers, but then City came back.
In the end a draw saw Bolton fall down a division.
The phrase ‘trap door’ is being used over and over again, but by the same measure that City deserved to win the title, Bolton deserved to be relegated. They had been too substandard for too much of the season.
They join Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fall from the top. Bolton could possibly come back up if they sign ugly in the summer, but with the financial problems at Wolves and Blackburn it could be a tough old term for the two.
It is also yet to be decided who will join Reading and Southampton in the step up to the EPL next season. On the 19th of May Blackpool play West Ham at Wembley. The winner will net a lot of money and a crack at the big time.
There will be a lot of tears today. Soccer giveth with one hand and tips your tea out of your grasp with the other.
Original Story:
http://www.rantsports.com/soccer/2012...
