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Ahead of tomorrow's game at the Macron, we take a look at the career of former Bolton Wanderers and Reading footballer, Adam Le Fondre.
Adam Le Fondre, born 2nd December 1986, began his career with hometown club Stockport County, where he progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence youth system. He made his debut against Bury in September 2004, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 victory in the Football League Trophy. In his debut season for Stockport, Le Fondre scored five goals in 22 games.
Le Fondre spent two and half years with Stockport, before moving on loan to fellow League 2 side Rochdale in January 2007. In total for Stockport, Le Fondre scored 20 goals in 73 games.
ALF impressed during his loan spell with The Dale, scoring 4 goals in 7 games. Due to his impressive form, Rochdale signed him permanently for an undisclosed fee in the Summer of 2007. In his first full season at Spotland, Le Fondre scored 17 goals in all competitions, helping Rochdale reach the League 2 Play-Off Final. Rochdale went on to lose 3-2 to Le Fondre's former club, Stockport.
Le Fondre went on to score 21 times in the 2008/2009 season, as Rochdale only made it to the Play-Off semi-finals, losing to GIllingham.
ALF's form led to a move another League 2 side, Rotherham United. In total for Rochdale, Le Fondre played 112 times, scoring 42 goals.
Le Fondre would go on to spend two years at Rotherham, scoring an impressive 58 goals in 105 games. After starting the 2011/2012 season with four goals in five games, Le Fondre moved up two Divisions to join Championship side and this weekend's opponents, Reading FC, for a fee of £350,000.
In his debut season with the Royals, Le Fondre scored 12 goals to be crowned Reading's Top Goalscorer. Reading were also crowned Championship winners, after going on an unbelievable run, winning 17 of their last 23 games.
Le Fondre then scored 12 goals in the Premier League (14 in all comps), but couldn't prevent Reading from being relegated after only one year in the Top Flight. Despite Reading's failure, Le Fondre had an impressive season, winning the Royals' player of the season award as well as being named the Premier League's Player of the Month for January. Here is Le Fondre's last minute equaliser for Reading in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea:
In the 2013/2014 season, Le Fondre scored 15 goals in 40 games as Reading just missed out on the Play-Off places, finishing 7th. That season, Le Fondre scored back to back hat tricks for Reading against Bolton (yep, in that 7-1 game) and Blackpool Fc.
In the Summer of 2014, Le Fondre moved to recently relegated Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee. In total for Reading, Adam Le Fondre scored 41 goals in 110 games.
Upon his move to Cardiff, Le Fondre stated:
"It's such a great opportunity for me to come here to Cardiff City and play for a boyhood hero of mine in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer"
However, after a poor start to the 2014/2015 season, Solskjaer left Cardiff in September 2014. Le Fondre only managed 3 goals in 21 games for Cardiff.
In January 2015, after seeking a move away from Cardiff, Adam Le Fondre moved to Bolton Wanderers on loan.
Le Fondre scored his first Bolton goal in a 3-1 win against Fulham FC in February 2015, and quickly became a fans favourite at the Macron.
Le Fondre went on to score 8 goals in just 17 games for the Whites, whilst also forming an impressive partnership up front with Wanderers starlet Zach Clough.
ALF's 8 goals for Bolton were enough to make him the Trotters' Top Goalscorer for the 2014/2015 season.
Thanks to all the staff, players and fans at @OfficialBWFC really enjoyed my loan spell!! Reinvigorated my career can't thank you all enough
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) May 2, 2015
Don't know what my future holds but I defo wouldn't rule out a return!!! #bwfc #wanderers #ole #ole #ole ❤️
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) May 2, 2015
Despite Le Fondre seeming keen on a return to Bolton, a permanent move never happened, mainly due to financial reasons (which have became more clear in the past six months).
Bolton fans were that desperate for ALF to return that one fan created a Fan Funding page to pay for the striker.
"@BWFCNorthstand5: £110 in for the @A1F1E9 fund #bwfc GET DONATING!https://t.co/HAWLnMZOvO"
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) July 16, 2015
The page, created by fan Sam James, only raised £730, which went to Bolton Wanderers' 'Pound for Parkinson's' campaign.
After Bolton ruled themselves out of the running for Le Fondre, ALF signed for fellow Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan in August 2015. The 29 year old has scored 3 goals in 25 games this season.