• 10 years ago
Bolton have announced they will build a statue to former player Nat Lofthouse outside the Reebok Stadium.

Lofthouse OBE, who is regarded as the club's greatest ever player, died a year ago at the age of 85.

He played more than 500 games and scored 285 times for the Trotters between 1946 and 1960 and also won 33 England caps, scoring 30 goals.

His son, Jeff, told the club's website: "Dad would be very humbled and honoured by the idea of a statue."

Lofthouse played for only one club and worked for Wanderers in a number of roles after hanging up his boots, including being chief coach, chief scout, caretaker and club president.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said: "The statue will be a fitting tribute to Nat and all that he accomplished for Bolton Wanderers and I am delighted that it will be located here at the Reebok Stadium."

Lofthouse captained Bolton in two FA Cup finals, the first in 1953 when Sir Stanley Matthews led Blackpool to a memorable 4-3 victory over their Lancashire rivals at Wembley.

Five years later, Lofthouse won a winner's medal after scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Manchester United, three months after the Munich air disaster.

He earned the nickname "The Lion of Vienna" after scoring a winning goal against Austria in 1952.

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