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Dennis Politic was in the emergency room as the internet went wild with his spectacular goal for Salford City in front of the watching David Beckham a year ago.
The Wanderers midfielder, on loan in the Conference, had emulated Beckham’s famous lob for Manchester United from the half-way line in a game against Dover.
But he failed to collect the praise his super strike had warranted after picking up a shoulder injury in the second half, which meant he was whisked straight to hospital.
The goal nevertheless put Politic on the national map and he returned to Bolton in the summer a player who was determined to turn heads.
“That whole time at Salford was great for me,” Politic told The Bolton News. “It was intense, a lot more physical than the Under-23s football I’d been playing here and it was just a shame I got two shoulder injuries in the end.
“The goal (against Dover) was unbelievable. I just thought that if the keeper made a mistake I was going to hit it first time and to watch it go back over his head and hit the back of the net was amazing.
“I didn’t get to meet Beckham, though. I’m sure he liked the goal – but I was in the hospital by the time the second half had finished.”
Politic came back to Bolton with 11 first-team games and two goals under his belt for Salford and, by his own admission, a changed attitude.
Waiting for him, however, was a club in complete disarray. Bolton were in administration with the much-mooted takeover dragging on months longer than expected thanks to the continued bickering and goal-post changing behind the scenes.
“It was probably more difficult for some of the other players who were not being paid because I was living with my parents,” he said. “I’d come back from Salford wanting to be as physically and mentally prepared as I could be and so I had a focus. It was harder for lads who had families to support, I think.
“When I got back I felt more involved. I was part of the first team and that was great.”
Politic had played for Romanian club FC Braşov as a youngster but came to England with his family after Manchester United offered him a year contract.
He then swapped red for blue, joining Manchester City the following season, and it was not until Under-15s level that he was snapped up by the academy scouts at Wanderers.
Coming through the ranks alongside the likes of Harry Brockbank, Luca Connell, Ronan Darcy and Co, the 19-year-old has settled into life with Bolton and had little hesitation signing an extended contract which was offered to him earlier this year.
Several clubs including Norwich City, Aston Villa and Wolves were said to be tracking his progress but Politic had learned enough in his time at Salford to know that guaranteed football was the way to go.
“I knew clubs were looking at me but, to be honest, I wanted to make sure I was playing games and I knew I’d get that chance under Flicker and the gaffer (David Flitcroft and Keith Hill),” he told us.
“They had faith in me and I felt like I wanted to reward that trust.
“Coming through the academy my only objective was to play for the first team at Bolton and now I’m there it means everything to me. I am really enjoying it.
“I think after being at Salford I knew I belonged in senior football and I wanted more of it. Getting into the team at the start of the season was really important but now playing every week for the gaffer is fantastic.”
Politic has joined an exclusive group of just 26 players who have scored five goals before their 20th birthday, the last being another academy graduate, Zach Clough.
He is still some way behind Bolton’s all-time teen top scorer, Franny Lee, who had scored an amazing 31 times before he turned 20. Others luminaries ahead of him in the list include Ray Parry (25), Neil Whatmore (14), Freddie Hill and Kevin Nolan (both 11) and Gordon Taylor (nine).
But with Politic you get the sense his career might well be about quality over quantity and with a penchant for the spectacular he is keen to continue on a goalscoring theme for the Whites.
“It’s such a great feeling scoring a goal, you can’t really describe it, but when it is a spectacular one it’s extra special,” he said. “I honestly don’t mind. Any goal will do for me. I just want to make sure I score more and help Bolton win more games between now and the end of the season.”
While Politic’s rise to prominence has been a reason for cheer at Wanderers this season, the league table has seldom made good viewing.
Hill’s side remains 19 points from safety going into this weekend’s game at MK Dons, a team who have picked up their form of late with two wins and two draws from their last four games.
Hopes of survival have been parked somewhat among supporters but Politic is determined to make the best use of his time between now and the end of the season.
“We need to win as many games as we possibly can,” he said, when asked of his objectives for the season. “I am here at Bolton now and playing games regularly, enjoying playing football.
“What happens next season, happens. we can only try and forget about our last game and try to do our best to get a result against MK Dons."
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The Wanderers midfielder, on loan in the Conference, had emulated Beckham’s famous lob for Manchester United from the half-way line in a game against Dover.
But he failed to collect the praise his super strike had warranted after picking up a shoulder injury in the second half, which meant he was whisked straight to hospital.
The goal nevertheless put Politic on the national map and he returned to Bolton in the summer a player who was determined to turn heads.
“That whole time at Salford was great for me,” Politic told The Bolton News. “It was intense, a lot more physical than the Under-23s football I’d been playing here and it was just a shame I got two shoulder injuries in the end.
“The goal (against Dover) was unbelievable. I just thought that if the keeper made a mistake I was going to hit it first time and to watch it go back over his head and hit the back of the net was amazing.
“I didn’t get to meet Beckham, though. I’m sure he liked the goal – but I was in the hospital by the time the second half had finished.”
Politic came back to Bolton with 11 first-team games and two goals under his belt for Salford and, by his own admission, a changed attitude.
Waiting for him, however, was a club in complete disarray. Bolton were in administration with the much-mooted takeover dragging on months longer than expected thanks to the continued bickering and goal-post changing behind the scenes.
“It was probably more difficult for some of the other players who were not being paid because I was living with my parents,” he said. “I’d come back from Salford wanting to be as physically and mentally prepared as I could be and so I had a focus. It was harder for lads who had families to support, I think.
“When I got back I felt more involved. I was part of the first team and that was great.”
Politic had played for Romanian club FC Braşov as a youngster but came to England with his family after Manchester United offered him a year contract.
He then swapped red for blue, joining Manchester City the following season, and it was not until Under-15s level that he was snapped up by the academy scouts at Wanderers.
Coming through the ranks alongside the likes of Harry Brockbank, Luca Connell, Ronan Darcy and Co, the 19-year-old has settled into life with Bolton and had little hesitation signing an extended contract which was offered to him earlier this year.
Several clubs including Norwich City, Aston Villa and Wolves were said to be tracking his progress but Politic had learned enough in his time at Salford to know that guaranteed football was the way to go.
“I knew clubs were looking at me but, to be honest, I wanted to make sure I was playing games and I knew I’d get that chance under Flicker and the gaffer (David Flitcroft and Keith Hill),” he told us.
“They had faith in me and I felt like I wanted to reward that trust.
“Coming through the academy my only objective was to play for the first team at Bolton and now I’m there it means everything to me. I am really enjoying it.
“I think after being at Salford I knew I belonged in senior football and I wanted more of it. Getting into the team at the start of the season was really important but now playing every week for the gaffer is fantastic.”
Politic has joined an exclusive group of just 26 players who have scored five goals before their 20th birthday, the last being another academy graduate, Zach Clough.
He is still some way behind Bolton’s all-time teen top scorer, Franny Lee, who had scored an amazing 31 times before he turned 20. Others luminaries ahead of him in the list include Ray Parry (25), Neil Whatmore (14), Freddie Hill and Kevin Nolan (both 11) and Gordon Taylor (nine).
But with Politic you get the sense his career might well be about quality over quantity and with a penchant for the spectacular he is keen to continue on a goalscoring theme for the Whites.
“It’s such a great feeling scoring a goal, you can’t really describe it, but when it is a spectacular one it’s extra special,” he said. “I honestly don’t mind. Any goal will do for me. I just want to make sure I score more and help Bolton win more games between now and the end of the season.”
While Politic’s rise to prominence has been a reason for cheer at Wanderers this season, the league table has seldom made good viewing.
Hill’s side remains 19 points from safety going into this weekend’s game at MK Dons, a team who have picked up their form of late with two wins and two draws from their last four games.
Hopes of survival have been parked somewhat among supporters but Politic is determined to make the best use of his time between now and the end of the season.
“We need to win as many games as we possibly can,” he said, when asked of his objectives for the season. “I am here at Bolton now and playing games regularly, enjoying playing football.
“What happens next season, happens. we can only try and forget about our last game and try to do our best to get a result against MK Dons."
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