The midfielder signed from Everton in November 1999, played an important part in the clubs promotion season of 2000-2001 being more or less ever present in the Bolton midfield in which he performed to a decent standard and scoring the opening goal in the 2001 Play Off Final which Wanderers eventually won 3-0 against Preston North End.
However since that day in Cardiff the former Republic of Ireland international has been nothing more than a fringe player showing only glimpses of the form he showed in Division 1 and the Bolton manager Allardyce admits 2003-2004 season will be Farrelly's last chance.
"Gareth knows this will be his final chance, he has lived on the fringes for far to long" said the Bolton boss.
Farrelly had spent time on loan with Rotherham United last season but didn't impress sufficiently to be taken on permanently, seemingly meaning a return to the wilderness at the Reebok Stadium, however he has featured in the clubs pre-season and will be hoping he can do enough to convince the manager he still has a future at the club.