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Bolton To Erect Lofthouse Statue

16th November 1951:  (FILE PHOTO ) Bolton Wanderers and England football player Nat Lofthouse. Nat Lofthouse OBE has died aged 85.  (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)
16th November 1951: (FILE PHOTO ) Bolton Wanderers and England football player Nat Lofthouse. Nat Lofthouse OBE has died aged 85. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)
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There is no figure in Bolton Wanderers history that is more deserving of a permanent tribute than the late, great, Nat Lofthouse. The club has announced today that there are plans in place to build a statue to the Trotters legend and place it outside of the Reebok.

"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."

- Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside

The project is still in its initial stages so there have been no announcements yet on the size, material, or exact location yet but this is all very exciting news to Bolton fans. Lofthouse sadly passed a year ago to the day on January 15, 2011 at the age of 85 and the outpouring of support from the club and the people of Bolton as well as the whole of the footballing community was immense. Bolton held another tribute for the Lion of Vienna a year on and it's certain that fans will never forget Lofthouse.

Nat appeared for Bolton 452 times where he scored 255 goals. His ratio for country was even better where he scored 30 times in just 33 appearances. Lofthouse was forced into retirement in 1960 after a knee injury but his legacy will always remain.

If it was our call, we'd probably base the Lofthouse statue on this epic photograph:

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For further details on the life and achievements of Nat Lofthouse, do check out the tribute site that the club have set up for the greatest ever wanderer.