The 2012-13 campaign marked the emotional return of Bolton Wanderers to the Championship after an eleven-year absence from the Premier League. It was a turbulent year defined by a mid-season managerial change, which saw Dougie Freedman take the helm, inspiring a remarkable resurgence. The Trotters finished a valiant 7th, agonizingly missing a play-off spot only on the final day of the season, being dramatically overtaken by Leicester City. Spearheading the charge was the sensational Chris Eagles, whose 12 goals and league-leading 12 assists made him the club's top contributor, driving a memorable run that included an eight-match home winning streak at the Reebok Stadium. This season of spirited recovery and near-success remains a chapter defined by the team's fierce fight to bounce straight back up and provided a solid platform for the future.