Nat Lofthouse

Nat-Lofthouse

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Nathaniel "Nat" Lofthouse (27 August 1925 – 15 January 2011) was an English footballer who played as a centre forward. He spent his entire professional career at Bolton Wanderers, where he became a club legend and one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of English football.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Nat Lofthouse was born in Bolton, Lancashire, and began his football career at a young age. He joined the youth team of Bolton Wanderers in 1939, at the age of 14.

Club Career[edit | edit source]

Lofthouse made his first-team debut for Bolton Wanderers on 31 March 1946, scoring twice in a 5-3 victory over Chelsea. Over the course of his career, he made 452 appearances for the club, scoring 255 goals. He was known for his physical strength, powerful heading ability, and clinical finishing.

One of the highlights of his club career was the 1958 FA Cup Final, where he scored both goals in Bolton's 2-0 victory over Manchester United. His performance in the final earned him the nickname "The Lion of Vienna."

International Career[edit | edit source]

Lofthouse earned his first cap for the England national team on 22 November 1950, scoring in a 2-2 draw against Yugoslavia. He went on to score 30 goals in 33 appearances for his country, a remarkable goal-scoring record.

One of his most famous international performances came in a match against Austria in 1952, where he scored twice in a 3-2 victory, earning him the nickname "The Lion of Vienna."

Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]

After retiring from playing in 1960, Lofthouse remained with Bolton Wanderers in various capacities, including as a coach and later as a club ambassador. He was awarded an OBE in 1994 for his services to football.

Lofthouse passed away on 15 January 2011 in Bolton, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of Bolton Wanderers and English football.