Rephonic
Artwork for The Buff
Bolton Wanderers
League One
Football
Steven Schumacher
Bolton Wanderers FC
Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Cardiff City
Transfer Window
Wigan Athletic
Bradford City
Championship
Port Vale
Lincoln City
FA Cup
AFC Wimbledon
Peterborough United
Promotion
Luton Town
Mason Burstow
Premier League

Welcome to the The Buff, a Bolton Wanderers podcast from The Bolton News. On Thursday join chief football writer Marc Iles for a light-hearted look at the latest headlines, rumours, reaction, and some big-name guests. Before every game we bring you The First Word with the best of the pre-match press conference and a look at the key stats behind the game, and then after the final whistle we bring... more

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Artwork for The Buff

Latest Episodes

Welcome back to The Buff Podcast and a show that promises to bring you right up to date with a week’s worth of Bolton Wanderers headlines.

Marc Iles and Henry Hewitt are back to discuss the Whites’ valiant point at Southampton and look ahead to Fri... more

The Team Talk crew are back together at last, and have plenty to discuss after two wonderful results on the road for Bolton Wanderers.

Will, Wayne and Tom join Marc Iles to debate some of the key questions including...

Have the last two results c... more

Welcome back to The Last Word - and a round-up of a hard--fought draw for Bolton Wanderers at Southampton.

Only Millwall have managed to stop the Saints scoring at St Mary's in 2026. The Whites rode their luck at times, and we'll discuss that penal... more

YouTube

Welcome back to The First Word - the podcast that promises to get you in the matchday mood.

Wanderers head to Southampton, looking to build on their brilliant win at Wolves in midweek and secure a third successive away win in the Championship for t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Lewis Brunt
Defender
Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Episode: THE FIRST WORD | Southampton v Bolton Wanderers
Steven Schumacher
Head Coach, Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Episode: THE FIRST WORD | Southampton v Bolton Wanderers
Gavin Bazunu
Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE LAST WORD | Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
Josh Sheehan
Bolton Wanderers midfielder
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE LAST WORD | Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
Thelonious Bair
Bolton Wanderers striker
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE LAST WORD | Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Stoke City
David Wray
Safe Standing advocate/representative
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE BUFF PODCAST | The Great Gavin Bazunu Debate and how to survive an international break
Fergal Harkin
Sporting director (guest on Safe Standing discussion)
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE BUFF PODCAST | The Great Gavin Bazunu Debate and how to survive an international break
Atsuki Ito
Bolton Wanderers forward, sub who scored/assisted in the comeback
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE LAST WORD | Norwich City 3-4 Bolton Wanderers
Sam Dalby
Forward for Bolton Wanderers, interviewed post-match
Bolton Wanderers
Episode: THE LAST WORD | Norwich City 3-4 Bolton Wanderers

Hosts

Marc Iles
Host, chief football writer at The Bolton News; long-running presence on the show; multiple roles including pre/post-game segments.
Henry Hewitt
Co-host; long-time contributor with banter and fan perspective.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 294 ratings
  • A must see/listen for all Trotter fans

    Seems like Mark and Henry have been podding for years. Positive BWFC with only occasional moans usually the size of the press box at Mansfield or quality of the food at Orient. 26/27 Mark has 21 new grounds to visit and and test the catering. Always worth a listen .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trotterian
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Consistently brilliant

    Having listened to the podcast for over a year now, it has become my go to podcast and I always find myself eagerly anticipating the next Buff or the last word. The mixture of input from Marc, Henry, Russ and co always insightful and fun. Keep up the great work lads.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TomF the Gardener
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Lucky to have this podcast

    Love the humour, Wanderers insights and quirky segments of this show. As a Bolton fan in London it feels like popping up to a pub in Bolton for an hour of Wanderers chat. Thanks Marc and Henry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MartynSCake
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Great Bolton Podcast

    As a Bolton ex pat who can’t get to games ,I really appreciate all the work put into this Podcast. Highly recommended thanks Marc and Henry .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Higgitto
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • The Buff

    Excellent pod cast for Wanderers fans.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Simon Haslam
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Regulars appreciate the accessible format and sense of community among hosts and longtime fans.
Fans consistently describe the show as essential Bolton coverage with a mix of humor and balanced insight.
Listeners praise the banter, depth of local knowledge, and engaging guest color.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#146
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#160
New Zealand/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#167
Ireland/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#205
Israel/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

THE BUFF PODCAST | The Great Gavin Bazunu Debate and how to survive an international break
Q: How do you see Safe Standing affecting the stadium and fan experience?
Fergal and David discuss the practical placement of Safe Standing, its impact on revenue and sightlines, and the phased approach to expanding standing areas in the South and East stands.
THE BUFF PODCAST | The Great Gavin Bazunu Debate and how to survive an international break
Q: What are your thoughts on Bazunu's decision and how Bolton should respond as a club?
Marc emphasizes supporting the player's personal stance while advising fans to treat upcoming games normally to avoid escalating the situation, and Henry adds that the best response from Bolton fans may be a balanced, non-confrontational approach.
THE LAST WORD | Norwich City 3-4 Bolton Wanderers
Q: Just a quick question. Double substitution on 70 minutes, 90 seconds later, the two of them combined to score a managerial masterstroke there, wasn't it, Steven?
The changes energized the attack, with the fresh legs contributing to immediate impact through an assist and the winning goal, reinforcing the value of squad depth and attacking options.
THE FIRST WORD | Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United
Q: What role does Josh Sheehan play upon his return?
He is described as a key midfield presence, capable of anchoring the pivot and helping control the tempo, which in turn supports the defense and attackers.
THE FIRST WORD | Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United
Q: How will the team balance attacking intent with the need to be solid at the back against West Ham?
Schumacher emphasizes a front-foot approach balanced with pragmatism, aiming to press effectively but remain compact to counter the visitors' quality.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Buff

What is The Buff about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on Bolton Wanderers with a light-hearted, opinionated take on headlines, rumours, transfers, and pre/post-match analysis. Regular segments include in-depth pre-match context, on-the-ground reporting from related outlets, and candid fan discussion that blends stats, memories, and banter. A distinctive trait is the host duo's chemistry, mixing measured commentary with humor, while sparking listener engagement through emails, voice notes, and occasional guest color from local media. The format often leans into club ownership, investment, and budget realities, offering both news-driven and fan-driven perspectives that feel accessible to long-time supporters and newcomers alike.

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How many listeners does The Buff get?

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How many episodes of The Buff are there?

The Buff launched 7 years ago and published 106 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Buff?

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What guests have appeared on The Buff?

Recent guests on The Buff include:

1. Lewis Brunt
2. Steven Schumacher
3. Gavin Bazunu
4. Josh Sheehan
5. Thelonious Bair
6. David Wray
7. Fergal Harkin
8. Atsuki Ito

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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