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A towering tribute to a footballing giant is set to take pride of place outside his beloved hometown club.
A statue of Nat Lofthouse will be put up outside Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium, it was announced today.
The honour will delight Bolton fans, who have long called for a permanent tribute to arguably the club's greatest ever player.
The news was announced as club dignitaries joined Lofthouse's family and supporters at a service of remembrance a year on from his death.
One of the most feared centre forwards of his generation, Lofthouse made more than 450 appearances for Bolton Wanderers and pledged his entire career to the club – eventually becoming manager, coach, scout and president.
Lofthouse won 33 caps for England and was nicknamed the ‘Lion of Vienna’ after a heroic performance in Austria in 1952.
He is also widely remembered across Greater Manchester for barging United goalkeeper Harry Gregg into the net to score in the 1958 FA Cup final.
Lofthouse, renowned for his pace, power and phenomenal heading ability, signed for Bolton the day after war was declared in September 1939. He was forced to retire in 1960 due to a knee injury but was awarded an OBE in 1994.
Lofthouse died peacefully in his sleep aged 85 at a nursing home in Bolton on January 15 last year.
The statue news was confirmed at the service at the Reebok Stadium.
Lofthouse's son Jeff said: "Dad would be very humbled and honoured by the idea of a statue and really overwhelmed at the response of Wanderers supporters and the people of Bolton.
"I would like to thank the club for their support and assistance and, of course, the fans who have been such a source of strength to us following dad's passing."
Club chairman Phil Gartside said: "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.
"We will now be working with Jeff on the initial stages of the project and will look to make more details available soon."
Talks to decide on an exact location at the Reebok, the statue's format, size, material and potential cost will now start.
The Nat Lofthouse Memorial Fund however will be formally launched at next Saturday's home tie against Liverpool. The public of Bolton are being asked to back the project and donate through fundraising.
Club chaplain Phil Mason will represent the club throughout the project and said: "Nat's life was about everything that is good about Bolton, both the club and the wider community. This is why it is important that Bolton as a community have a big part to play in developing this lasting memorial to Nat and help to keep his legacy alive.
"People can get involved in a whole variety of ways to contribute towards the Nat Lofthouse Memorial Fund. We want people, community groups, schools, clubs and other organisations to make their contribution."
Donations can be made directly through a website – the Nat Lofthouse Memorial website at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] . Collection boxes and envelopes are also now available.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
A statue of Nat Lofthouse will be put up outside Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium, it was announced today.
The honour will delight Bolton fans, who have long called for a permanent tribute to arguably the club's greatest ever player.
The news was announced as club dignitaries joined Lofthouse's family and supporters at a service of remembrance a year on from his death.
One of the most feared centre forwards of his generation, Lofthouse made more than 450 appearances for Bolton Wanderers and pledged his entire career to the club – eventually becoming manager, coach, scout and president.
Lofthouse won 33 caps for England and was nicknamed the ‘Lion of Vienna’ after a heroic performance in Austria in 1952.
He is also widely remembered across Greater Manchester for barging United goalkeeper Harry Gregg into the net to score in the 1958 FA Cup final.
Lofthouse, renowned for his pace, power and phenomenal heading ability, signed for Bolton the day after war was declared in September 1939. He was forced to retire in 1960 due to a knee injury but was awarded an OBE in 1994.
Lofthouse died peacefully in his sleep aged 85 at a nursing home in Bolton on January 15 last year.
The statue news was confirmed at the service at the Reebok Stadium.
Lofthouse's son Jeff said: "Dad would be very humbled and honoured by the idea of a statue and really overwhelmed at the response of Wanderers supporters and the people of Bolton.
"I would like to thank the club for their support and assistance and, of course, the fans who have been such a source of strength to us following dad's passing."
Club chairman Phil Gartside said: "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.
"We will now be working with Jeff on the initial stages of the project and will look to make more details available soon."
Talks to decide on an exact location at the Reebok, the statue's format, size, material and potential cost will now start.
The Nat Lofthouse Memorial Fund however will be formally launched at next Saturday's home tie against Liverpool. The public of Bolton are being asked to back the project and donate through fundraising.
Club chaplain Phil Mason will represent the club throughout the project and said: "Nat's life was about everything that is good about Bolton, both the club and the wider community. This is why it is important that Bolton as a community have a big part to play in developing this lasting memorial to Nat and help to keep his legacy alive.
"People can get involved in a whole variety of ways to contribute towards the Nat Lofthouse Memorial Fund. We want people, community groups, schools, clubs and other organisations to make their contribution."
Donations can be made directly through a website – the Nat Lofthouse Memorial website at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] . Collection boxes and envelopes are also now available.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
