Custom Search

English Football Legends Series

Nat Lofthouse was a powerful, brave centre-forward who is Bolton Wanderers greatest ever player, and remains the club's record goal-scorer.

Nat Lofthouse

Clubs: Bolton Wanderers

Position: Forward

Appearances*: 452

Goals*: 255

Honours: FA Cup 1

---

* League appearances and goals only

Bolton Wanderers

Born in Bolton in 1925, Lofthouse joined his home town club in 1939. Due to World War II, League football was suspended at the time, so his appearances over the next 5 years were confined to regional competition.

He eventually made his debut against Chelsea on 31 August 1946, scoring twice in a 4-3 defeat.

Lofthouse received his first England call-up in November 1950 and scored both goals in a 2-2 draw against Yugoslavia.

The Lion of Vienna

He would go on to make 33 international appearances, but his most famous game for England came on 25 May 1952.

The opponents were Austria, then considered the best side in Europe, and Lofthouse scored twice in a 3-2 win.

His second goal was particularly memorable, as he was elbowed in the face, tackled from behind, and eventually brought down by the goalkeeper, but still persevered to score.

This heroic performance earned him the nickname 'The Lion of Vienna'.

The Matthews Final

In 1953, Lofthouse was voted English Footballer of the Year, and that year Bolton reached the FA Cup final.

In one of the great finals, Lofthouse scored, but ended up on the losing side - the trophy going to the Stanley Matthews inspired, Blackpool.

That season he scored in every round of the cup, and also finished as the First Division's top goal-scorer, with 30 goals.

FA Cup Winner

Five years later, Bolton, now captained by Lofthouse were back in the final. Their opponents were Manchester United, who just three months earlier had lost 8 players in the Munich air disaster.

With the sympathy of the nation behind United, Bolton won 2-0, Lofthouse scoring both goals. The second resulted from a shoulder charge on United keeper Harry Gregg, a legitimate tactic at the time.

Later Career

Lofthouse retired from playing in January 1960, but continued to serve Bolton Wanderers in various capacities.

He has been assistant trainer, chief scout, manager, and administrative manager at the club.

In 1978, he became executive manager and in 1986, president.

Honours

Nat Lofthouse has been the recipient of various honours including an OBE, and the Freedom of the City of Bolton.

The East Stand at Bolton's Reebok Stadium is named in his honour.

He was an inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Return from Nat Lofthouse to English Football Legends

Return to The Football Club Home Page

or Search the site

Custom Search