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Gary Madine has revealed how a Wanderers old boy helped pave the way for his move to the Macron Stadium.
Fresh from signing a two-year deal with the Whites, the former Sheffield Wednesday striker explained how Alan Thompson played a supporting role in getting him to the club.
Thompson – a former assistant of Neil Lennon at Celtic and still a close confidant – recommended the 24-year-old after watching him at close quarters during a loan spell at Blackpool last season.
Madine played a starring role for the Seasiders in a 1-1 draw at the Macron Stadium back in April, after which Thompson – then first team coach at Bloomfield Road – informed the striker of Bolton’s interest.
“When I did okay against Bolton he (Thompson) said he (Lennon) would come to watch me the next week against Ipswich and I did alright again,” Madine explained to the club.
“Thankfully, Neil Lennon stuck a bit of faith in me, took a chance, so hopefully I can repay him and get a few goals knocked in.”
Madine turned down offers from Blackpool and Leeds United to sign with the Whites and flies out with his new team-mates to Austria tomorrow to begin preparations for the new season, joined by fellow new boy Ben Amos.
Most Wanderers fans will have to wait until the home friendly against Chievo on August 1 for their first glimpse of the Gateshead-born front man.
But he reckons those who paid attention to his bustling display at the end of last season will have a good idea what to expect.
“I’ll give 110 per cent every week and hopefully get a lot of goals,” he said.
“I’ll be putting myself about. If anyone watched me against Bolton last season, the two centre-halves I played against, Matt Mills and Paddy McCarthy, will say I was a bit of a handful and that they didn’t really enjoy playing against me.
“Hopefully I can be an asset to the team.”
Madine has been impressed by his first few encounters with straight-talking new boss Lennon.
“He asked me what number I wanted, then told me to believe everything he says,” said the former Carlisle United man.
“He thinks I’m a good player, I think I’m a good player, so hopefully I can show that to the Bolton fans.
“I can imagine he’d be quite tough. I remember watching him play and he was a tough little player. I’m sure he could be like that with us.
“But he’s got respect from me and I am sure he would the rest of the lads.
“I just want to get fit, get loads of goals knocked in and repay the faith he’s shown in me.”
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Fresh from signing a two-year deal with the Whites, the former Sheffield Wednesday striker explained how Alan Thompson played a supporting role in getting him to the club.
Thompson – a former assistant of Neil Lennon at Celtic and still a close confidant – recommended the 24-year-old after watching him at close quarters during a loan spell at Blackpool last season.
Madine played a starring role for the Seasiders in a 1-1 draw at the Macron Stadium back in April, after which Thompson – then first team coach at Bloomfield Road – informed the striker of Bolton’s interest.
“When I did okay against Bolton he (Thompson) said he (Lennon) would come to watch me the next week against Ipswich and I did alright again,” Madine explained to the club.
“Thankfully, Neil Lennon stuck a bit of faith in me, took a chance, so hopefully I can repay him and get a few goals knocked in.”
Madine turned down offers from Blackpool and Leeds United to sign with the Whites and flies out with his new team-mates to Austria tomorrow to begin preparations for the new season, joined by fellow new boy Ben Amos.
Most Wanderers fans will have to wait until the home friendly against Chievo on August 1 for their first glimpse of the Gateshead-born front man.
But he reckons those who paid attention to his bustling display at the end of last season will have a good idea what to expect.
“I’ll give 110 per cent every week and hopefully get a lot of goals,” he said.
“I’ll be putting myself about. If anyone watched me against Bolton last season, the two centre-halves I played against, Matt Mills and Paddy McCarthy, will say I was a bit of a handful and that they didn’t really enjoy playing against me.
“Hopefully I can be an asset to the team.”
Madine has been impressed by his first few encounters with straight-talking new boss Lennon.
“He asked me what number I wanted, then told me to believe everything he says,” said the former Carlisle United man.
“He thinks I’m a good player, I think I’m a good player, so hopefully I can show that to the Bolton fans.
“I can imagine he’d be quite tough. I remember watching him play and he was a tough little player. I’m sure he could be like that with us.
“But he’s got respect from me and I am sure he would the rest of the lads.
“I just want to get fit, get loads of goals knocked in and repay the faith he’s shown in me.”
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