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The 1953 artwork shows fans arriving for a Bolton Wanderers match at their old stadium, Burnden Park.

Though Lowry painted other soccer-related scenes, Going to the Match has become iconic, an enduring representation of what match day means to fans.

The exhibition will explore the famed artist’s connection to Bolton, including how he came to create Going to the Match. It will also celebrate the history of Bolton Wanderers in the year that marks 100he anniversary of the club’s first victory in the FA Cup Final in 1923.

Going to the Match travel to Bolton for the first time as part of a partnership with The Lowry. The Salford-based arts center recently acquired the painting thanks to a donation from The Law Family Charitable Foundation. The Lowrys have generously donated the work to the Bolton Museum for the full three months of the exhibition.

Lowry’s chief executive Julia Fawcett said: “We are very pleased that this iconic and much-loved painting is on view in Bolton, in an exhibition celebrating the same football club that inspired LS Lowry.

“The painting belongs to the North, and we are happy to make sure that as many people as possible in our region have the opportunity to see this important part of our history.”

Bolton Council Deputy Leader Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: ‘Going to the game’ is a key part of our sporting and cultural heritage and I am delighted that it is the centerpiece of the exhibition.

“To be charged with such an important job is a real blow to Bolton, and I hope as many people as possible take this opportunity to see this important part of our history.

“The exhibition will also celebrate the history of Bolton Wanderers as they mark 100he anniversary of the club’s first victory in the FA Cup final in 1923.

“To be charged with such an important project is a real blow to Bolton”

Lowry’s painting is a reflection of the passion of ordinary fans for their local football team, a theme that is addressed in the exhibition. A specially commissioned film by local director Adrian Barber traces the experiences of Bolton Wanders fans from the 1940s to the present day.

Howard Broadbent is one of the super fans included in the movie. Howard went to his first game at Burnden Park in 1946. His earliest and fondest memory is watching Ray Westwood play in one of his last games for Bolton. Howard remembers the blinding speed of Westwood, the star striker who blasted past defenders.

Susan Higson also appears in the film. Sue has been supporting Bolton for as long as she can remember. She still regularly goes to matches and is also a member of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust.

Sue says: “Bolton Wanderers became part of who I am in December 1977 when my dad took his 10-year-old daughter to her first game. He didn’t think I’d like it… 43 years later, I still have a season ticket.”

The exhibition will be supported by a program of workshops and creative events. We will start with a special day of family fun at the museum on Saturday, March 25, from 11 am to 3 pm At 11 am explore the exhibition with a tour and then there will be:

• Artist-led oil pastel workshop
• A pop up footy photo booth
• object handling
• A marching band will play a series of soccer tunes.

This is a free event and no reservation is necessary.

Bolton Little Theatre, in association with the Phoenix Theater Company, will present an excerpt from the play ‘And Did That Feet’ exploring the run up to the legendary 1923 FA Cup Final when local bandstand Bob Carr walked to Wembley from Bolton.

Other events linked to the exhibition include a talk by club historian Simon Marland on the 1923 Cup final on Friday the 28thhe April, 1 p.m. Tour guide Suzanne Hindle will lead a tour of the sites associated with LS Lowry and Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 27 May from 1pm to 4.30pm.

We are also looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to welcome and tell visitors more about this exciting exhibition that looks at football, Lowry and Bolton’s social history. We want to hear from fans and anyone else who wants to get involved!

To apply to volunteer, please complete an application form here and email it to [email protected]

For more information email [email protected]