Lofthouse scored 255 goals for Bolton

 

Bolton Wanderers and England legend Nat Lofthouse has died at the age of 85.

 

The striker, who scored 255 goals in over 450 games for the Trotters between 1946 and 1960, died peacefully in his sleep at a nursing home in Bolton.

 

"He was a one-club man and our football club meant as much to him as he did to us," said chairman Phil Gartside.

 

Lofthouse OBE, who worked for Bolton in a number of roles after he hung up his boots, also scored 30 goals in 33 matches for England.

 

Those roles included chief coach, chief scout, caretaker and club president, with Lofthouse holding the last position until his death.

 

"I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Nat's family, who are very much in our thoughts at this time," added Gartside in a statement on the Bolton website.

 

"We will miss him but we will celebrate his life, his legacy and great times that he brought to Bolton."

 

Lofthouse captained Bolton in two FA Cup finals, the first time in 1953 when he came up against Sir Stanley Matthews, when the Trotters were memorably beaten 4-3 by Lancashire rivals Blackpool at Wembley.

 

Five years later, Lofthouse won a winner's medal after scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Manchester United, only three months after the Old Trafford club had been involved in the Munich air disaster.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/9363142.stm

A great shame. From an era when footballers were absolute gentlemen and he was one of them. A true great of English football. Rest in peace Nat.