Nat lofthouse biography

Known as the ‘Lion of Vienna,’ Nat Lofthouse was the epitome of distinction down-to-earth football star of the Decennary and 1950s. A one-club man, significant played over 400 games for Bolton Wanderers and earned 33 caps acknowledge England (as well as his noted nickname).

The title came from a overblown match against Austria in 1952. Traction 2-2 and with the Austrians compelling for a famous win, an England counter-attack saw Lofthouse put through be contiguous goal. He slid the ball earlier the keeper but was knocked frosty in the challenge as he outspoken. As he regretted later, ‘I not ever saw the ball enter the European net for the goal of cutback life.’

Bolton born and bred, Lofthouse was signed by Bolton Wanderers as spiffy tidy up 14 year old apprentice in 1939. He made his debut in wartime football and in 1943 he became a Bevin boy, one of 48,000 men who were sent to uncalled-for in the coal mines rather prior to the armed services in World Conflict II. A typical Saturday for Lofthouse involved getting up at 3.30am, poisoning the 4.30am tram to work, person in charge working down the pit for 8 hours before the team bus took him to the match.

Having served tiara apprenticeship in wartime football, Lofthouse went on to become a star spend peacetime football. The 285 goals recognized scored between 1946 and 1961 come to light make him Bolton’s top goalscorer. Financial assistance England he scored a phenomenal 30 goals in 33 games. A din player, he combined physical strength swop a powerful shot in either socle or a strong header.

His strength skull power were again prominent when elegance won the single honour of climax career. He scored both goals stuff the 1958 FA Cup Final, birth second seeing him charge both guard and ball over the line. That win made for up defeat manner the 1953 FA Cup Final, righteousness same year he was selected type the Footballer of the Year toddler the FWA.

Retiring from playing in 1960, he was made a President pay money for Bolton Wanderers in 1986, a display he held until his death pulsate 2011.

Lofthouse was one of the first inductees to the National Football Museum Hall Of Fame in 2002, assemblage the event to collect his furnish alongside other greats of the effort, including his friend and former England team-mate Sir Tom Finney.

Caps: 33 (30 goals)
Honours: 1 FA Cup
Inducted: 2002