James Bolton

Shrewsbury Town After one season at Gateshead, Bolton joined League One side Shrewsbury Town in July 2017 for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal. He made his English Football League debut on 5 August in a 1−0 home victory over Northampton Town.

On 29 August, Bolton was sent off for a foul on Jodi Jones as Shrewsbury won 3–2 at Coventry City in the EFL Trophy. He scored his first goal for the Shrews on 27 January 2018, the only one of a win away to Portsmouth. Bolton started in the EFL Trophy final and League One play-off final, which his team lost to Lincoln City and Rotherham United respectively at Wembley Stadium.

In the 2018–19 FA Cup third round replay away to his childhood club Stoke, Bolton scored Shrewsbury's first goal as they overturned a 0–2 deficit in the last 19 minutes to win 3–2. He was on target again in the next round's replay at Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, albeit in a 3–2 loss on 5 February.

Portsmouth On 7 June 2019, Bolton signed for fellow League One team Portsmouth on a free transfer on a three-year deal after turning down an improved contract. He made his debut on 3 August on his return to the New Meadow, as a 53rd-minute substitute for Anton Walkes in a 1–0 loss to Shrewsbury.

Bolton scored his first goal for Pompey on 4 January 2020, opening a 2–1 win at Fleetwood Town in the third round of the FA Cup. On 1 February, he recorded a first league goal in a 2–0 victory over Sunderland at Fratton Park.

Plymouth Argyle On 24 June 2021, Bolton signed for League One side Plymouth Argyle on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

He made just eight appearances in all competitions across the 2022–23 season as Argyle won promotion from League One as Champions, being released at the end of the season.

St Mirren Bolton signed for Scottish Premiership club St Mirren in July 2023, and signed a contract extension until the summer of 2025 in February 2024.

Fleetwood Town On 4 July 2024, Bolton signed for League Two club Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. On 15 May 2026, Fleetwood announced he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expired.

Personal life On 21 March 2020, it was reported that Bolton and three Portsmouth teammates had tested positive for COVID-19 during the 2020 pandemic. None were reported to be seriously ill.

Career statistics

Honours Shrewsbury Town EFL Trophy runner-up: 2017–18

Portsmouth EFL Trophy runner-up: 2019–20

Plymouth Argyle EFL League One: 2022–23 EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23