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Ian Evatt reckons Wanderers have a realistic shot of returning to Wembley for the first time in more than a decade.
After Bolton booked their place in the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night, Evatt admitted the competition might well represent the best chance of silverware this season.
Though the importance of the competition is often played down, it has already made £50,000 for the club in prize money and could be worth in excess of £250,000 should they make the final.
The chance to return to Wembley – where Wanderers’ last experience was a crushing FA Cup semi-final defeat against Stoke City in April 2011 - is also a huge incentive to the manager.
"I was very fortunate to play in some big games at Wembley and it's a magical moment that you never forget,” he said.
"We should never turn down an opportunity to get to Wembley and this cup gives us that opportunity.
"The fans have suffered for a long time and we'd like them to have a trip to Wembley so we're going to try our best to get there."
Evatt played in two Championship play-off finals for Blackpool at Wembley, beating Cardiff 3-2 in 2010 to secure promotion to the Premier League and then losing to Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United two years later.
Before that he had helped Ian Holloway’s Tangerines out of League One with a 2-0 win against Yeovil Town in the 2007 final.
Evatt also captained Chesterfield to the Johnstone Paint Trophy final in 2014 but suffered a defeat to Peterborough United.
The second round draw for the Papa John's Trophy will be made after the final round of group games on November 10 and will see Wanderers pitted against one of northern-based second-placed clubs.
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