Nat's time in that role also didn't go to plan and the legend was relieved of his duties in 1972. Pic courtesy of Mirrorpix. Several players in the match played below their level, with Nat Lofthouse one of those.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'historyofsoccer_info-banner-1','ezslot_10',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofsoccer_info-banner-1-0'); In the Daily Telegraph, Frank Coles wrote, One of the question marks is against Lofthouse. [10] He married Alma Foster in 1947 and they remained married until her death in 1985. His most memorable performance, which won him the nickname the "Lion of Vienna", was for England against Austria in May 1952. The FA XI were unbeaten in their 11 matches but Lofthouse still managed to finish on a losing side. Nat Lofthouse, the former England forward who spent his whole playing career with Bolton Wanderers FC and was nicknamed the Lion of Vienna, has died in his sleep at the age of 85. Just about. Both men were among the inaugural inductees to the Hall Of Fame. Even after he was conscripted to work in the nightmarish Lancashire coal pits as part of the war effort (many miners volunteered for the Armed Forces in large part to escape the agonising, doom-laden drudgery of their vocation), he could still consistently put opposition defences to the sword with a combination of rugged, raw power, superb aerial ability and a remarkable fearlessness. [14] It was no more than Nat Lofthouse deserved. . Alchetron But he came back before the final whistle as Nat's valiant display earned him the nickname, 'Lion of Vienna'. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Lofthouse would go on to play 33 games for England, but his debut on 22 November 1950 made him 25 when he finally broke into the team. The 285 goals he scored between 1946 and 1961 still make him Boltons top goalscorer. [11] They had two children, a son, Jeff, and a daughter, Vivien. On that day, Lofthouse was wearing a brand new pair of shoes, a major luxury at the time. He did win the medal. He continued playing for Bolton throughout the war and on Saturdays would wake at 3:30 a.m. go to his mining job at 4:30 a.m and work for eight hours before going on to play for his club. After gaining eight corners to Englands none, the Austrians dominated for most of the game. Nat Lofthouse Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family On 25 May 1952, Lofthouse earned the title 'Lion of Vienna' after scoring his second goal in England's 32 victory over Austria. Somehow, he managed to get the shot off before colliding with the Austrian keeper. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. His career and life, like so many of the players he shared the pitch with, seems so improbable when compared to modern stars both in terms of achievements and circumstances that its hard to separate the man from the legend. He had even handed a transfer request in several times, unsurprisingly rejected by the club in the days before there were agents to campaign on his behalf. Owning the public house was not the most rewarding career choice to the man who only wanted to see his boyhood club do well. He was capped 33 times for the England national football team between 1950 and 1958, scoring 30 goals and giving himself one of the greatest. Nat Lofthouse - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia This match determined which of the two nations would call themselves Champions of Europe in many parts of Europe. Nat Lofthouse was one of the post-war giants of football who had a glittering career with Bolton Wanderers, his only club, and England. For England he scored a phenomenal 30 goals in 33 games. As it transpired, Nats first day reporting to Burnden Park in 1939 was also Britains first full day at war with Germany. But work down the mine toughened him physically and the caustic humour of his fellow miners made sure he never became arrogant about his success on the field.". NAT Lofthouse, one of the most famous of all Boltonians and the town's best-loved sporting son, has died at the age of 85. Stanley Mathewshad his last chance to earn a winners medal. Nats prolific strike rate in the war leagues left Wanderers in little doubt as to his abilities, but the cessation of the conflict and resumption of the football league ushered in a tough period of acclimatisation for club and player. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'historyofsoccer_info-leader-2','ezslot_15',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofsoccer_info-leader-2-0');In 452 Football League appearances for Bolton, he scored 255 goals. For a time it appeared that he might not re-sign with the club for the 1957-58 season but he eventually relented and stayed at Burnden Park. To be awarded the label of Lion, once reserved for realm's greatest warriors, is to be christened with one of England's most enduring symbols. His devotion to Alma was matched only by his love of Bolton, and true to form, that Saturday Nat got married in the morning then played football in the afternoon at Burnden Park. Nat Lofthouse: Farewell to the Lion of Vienna | The Bolton News Lofthouse once said of the Preston Plumber; He was that good he could cross the ball making sure the laces were facing away from my head.. Quick off the mark, an ability to shoot with either foot, with strength and agility in the air an innate ability to be in the right place at the right time. My body became firmer and harder. The Bolton Wanderers reached the final again five years later. In doing so he was elbowed in the face, tackled from behind, and finally brought down by the goalkeeper. He won that. Times during and just after the war were hard for Bolton, especially after the "golden age", and Bevin Boys were commonly seen as cowards or unpatriotic men seeking to avoid the dangers of active combat. However, theres little doubt that financial pragmatism aside, his heart was always in Bolton and with Wanderers. Nat Lofthouse began playing football as a very young boy. Outside the church, it was former Bolton manager Jimmy Armfield (1971-1974) who perhaps summed it all up best: "It's the fact that he was a one-club man. In the second half, the Wanderers looked the better team, as the thrown-together nature of Manchester United began to show. Who Was Known as the "Lion of Vienna"? - Sportsmanist This was a one-off and Bolton came from behind to get the better of Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with goals from Hunt and Lol Hamlett. All the while, he kept scoring for his country as well as for his club, finishing on an incredible 30 goals in 33 caps and taking the record as the national teams all-time top goalscorer jointly with Finney. A single man did not give up. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Austria equalised just two minutes after Nat Lofthouses opening goal in the 25th minute, and while England once again gained the advantage shortly after, the teams went into halftime level at 2-2. Between 1950 and 1958, he played 33 times for the England national football team. The 1958-59 campaign provided a final high point in Lofthouses international career. Having failed to find the net in his past two internationals, a run which had scuppered more than a few promising youngsters England careers, Boltons star was aware of a concerted campaign in the press to have him replaced by Newcastles brilliant Jackie Milburn. Bolton Wanderers On the Trot: Internationals, The Nat Lofthouse Stand - Bolton Blogroll. Six years later, he was promoted to the head coach position, and the following year, he took to managing the club. Boltons all-time greatest player was a gentleman throughout the league. The match in question was a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Nat scored 2 of Bolton's goals. He scored both goals in the 1958 FA Cup Final, the second seeing him charge both keeper and ball over the line. On 25 May 1952, Lofthouse earned the title 'Lion of Vienna' after scoring his second goal in England's 3-2 victory over Austria. The main target was Nat Lofthouse, who was struck in the neck, while Elliott and Sewell required treatment from England trainer Jimmy Trotter. The title came from a prestigious match against Austria in 1952. Lofthouse stands eighth in the list of English football's top division all time goalscorers.[4]. (Subs) Franz Pelikan, Stotz, Koller, Dekkerif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'historyofsoccer_info-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofsoccer_info-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Gilbert Merrick, Alf Ramsey, William Eckersley, William Wright, Jack Froggatt, James Dickinson, Tom Finney, John Sewell, Nat Lofthouse, Edward Baily, William Elliott.

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