Monday 1st September 1997 was the date that saw the Reebok gates open for a competitive match for the first time as top flight football returned to the town and the club welcomed local rivals Everton who where the visitors to the ground in a televised 0-0 draw which was played in sombre mood due to the untimely death of Princess Diana in the days leading up to the game.
The opening night marked the unvieling of Bolton's new £2,500,000 record signing Mark Fish who was signed from the Italian giants Lazio but unfortunately for Wanderers the South African was not available to take part in the opening showpiece.
The game against the Toffees will perhaps be remembered for two key incidents which where to leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
After just half an hour new boy Robbie Elliott was taken to hospital with a double leg fracture landing awkwardly following a challenge by Everton's Tony Thomas.
Later in the game there was the infamous "no goal" incident when Bolton's defender Gerry Taggart headed past Welsh goalkeeper Neville Southall only to see his effort hacked off the line by Terry Phelan but replays later showed that the Northern Irishman Taggart was denied a clear goal with the ball clearly having crossed the line.
In the end it was three possible points which could have eventually saved Bolton from relegation at Everton's expense. Sadly though that said the debut season at the Reebok was to end in relegation despite a strong effort in the final weeks of the season to survive and this was to mark a three year absence of Premiership football.
THE LINE UPS ON THAT FIRST NIGHT WHERE:
BOLTON: Keith Branagan, Jimmy Phillips, Robbie Elliott (Steve McAnespie), Per Frandsen (Michael Johansen), Gerry Taggart, Gudni Bergsson, Jamie Pollock, Scott Sellars, Nathan Blake, Peter Beardsley (John McGinlay), Alan Thompson
SUBS NOT USED: Andy Todd, Gavin Ward (GK)
EVERTON: Neville Southall, Slaven Bilic, Tony Thomas (Andy Hinchcliffe), Danny Williamson, Dave Watson (Craig Short), Terry Phelan, Graham Stuart, Nick Barmby (Michael Branch), Duncan Ferguson, Gary Speed, John Oster
SUBS NOT USED: Gareth Farrelly, Paul Gerrard (GK)
ATT: 23,131 REFEREE: Stephen Lodge (grrr!!)
Happily since then though, top flight football has returned to the stadium and a number of non football events have been held on the ground including an Oasis pop concert in 2000, The Big Light music festival in 2004 and a number of international rugby contests.
The England U20 mens team and England womens teams have also been fortunate enough to play at the prestigious venue.
HERE ARE A FEW KEY MOMENTS IN THE REEBOK'S HISTORY
September 1997- The stadium hosts it's first game which is a 0-0 draw against Everton in front of the television cameras
September 1997 - Nathan Blake and Gary Pallister are sent off for fighting in the derby game between Bolton and Manchester United to become the first dismissals at the new ground.
September 1997 Alan Thompson scores the first goal at the stadium with a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Spurs. Chris Armstrong, later to play for Bolton heads home the equaliser.
September 1997 - The first cup game is held on the ground when lower league side Leyton Orient hold Bolton to a 4-4 draw which eventially sends them through to the next round of the Coca Cola Cup. The game sees the last goal in a Bolton shirt for the legend that is Mr John McGinlay.
February 1998 - Leicester City take part in the first reserve game played on the Reebok and this ends all square at 2-2 with the Bolton goals coming from Peter Beardsley and Martin Doherty
October 1998 - Rugby comes to the Stadium for the first time as Great Britain take on New Zealand.
January 1999 - A looping long range effort from Scott Sellars is not enough for Bolton as two Robbie Keane goals give Wolves a 2-1 victory in the first FA Cup tie on the ground.
Summer 1999 - Work begins on a new £11 million hotel development "The De Vere Whites" hotel
Summer 2000 - Two Oasis pop concerts are held at the stadium in July and this attracts over 60,000 in one weekend
2002 - New offices are built onto the North Stand and they will be occupied by sponsers Reebok
Summer 2004 - A number of pop groups head to the Reebok for a series of summer concerts including the Sugerbabes and Liberty X