For England, the Austria game provided two firsts. The youngest of four sons, Nathaniel Lofthouse was born in Bolton on 27 August 1925. He slid the ball past the keeper but was knocked cold in the challenge as he did. Overcrowding resulted in spectators spilling over onto the touchline. Lofthouse found the step up in quality in First Division defences hard to cope with, and he briefly considered leaving the game, as well as entertaining an offer from Tottenham, then of the Second Division. Nat Lofthouse OBE, the Bolton Wanderers and England legend, has passed away aged 85, leaving countless memories. This evening, the Prater Stadium in the Soviet sector was crowded by cheering, khaki-clad British soldiers waving Union Jacks. He was born with Bolton in his blood, and he played his football, lived his life in a way that reflected that. As a result, Nat Lofthouse was nicknamed the Lion of Vienna. Thousands of England fans attended the game at the Praterstadion in Viennas Soviet Zone, as evidenced by the Path film of the game. Lofthouse was witness to a Bolton Wanderers golden age of top flight success throughout the 1930s and although the Trotters won three FA Cups in Nat's life time, he was too young to witness the 1926 and 1929 wins over Manchester City and Portsmouth. 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. Lofthouse scored all seven goals for Bolton. But you always associate Nat with Bolton. Nat Lofthouse - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia We had to do something quickly and we had no identity at that time. He signed as a 14-year-old for the club in September 1939, making wartime appearances before becoming an established league star in peacetime. The statue's pose was chosen by the club's fans as well as Nat Lofthouse's surviving family. Speaking at Nat's "This Is Your Life" show, Bolton Wanderers' commercial manager at the time, Alf Davies shared just how crucial Nat Lofthouse's presence at the club was: "In 1982, we hit on some hard times and in 1982, we had just six weeks to live before the bank called time on our activities. The 1958-59 campaign provided a final high point in Lofthouses international career. A one-club man with a passionate love for his hometown and his club, his decision to remain at Burnden Park for his entire career was never truly in his hands, with no freedom of contract meaning the club had absolute power over their player. In doing so he was elbowed in the face, tackled from behind, and finally brought down by the goalkeeper. Manchester 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. However, the lead was short-lived. Disappointing loss aside, Lofthouse scored the first goal of the match just 75 seconds in, meaning he scored in every round of the competition that season. After a 2-0 away win at the Victoria Ground where Ray Westwood bagged both goals the second leg was played seven days later and tragedy struck. Indeed, many of the stereotypes we now associate with players from the sepia-tinged era of the 1950s have their roots in Lofthouses own story. [10] He married Alma Foster in 1947 and they remained married until her death in 1985. These cookies do not store any personal information. It was then more than five years until he made his league debut for the club, but he eventually played against Chelsea on 31 August 1946, when he scored twice in a 43 defeat. It happened a lot in our day as it were, of course. Former Bolton captain Kevin Davies and then manager Owen Coyle were among the pallbearers.[16]. Needless to say, the whole country and a good portion of the 100,000 fans packed into Wembley that day were behind the battered and bruised Manchester side. There was then a Cup Winners Cup played between the winners of the North and South tournaments. While it was perhaps not the greatest result, he clearly impressed, and after missing a few matches in between, Lofthouse played every game for England between October 1951 and November 1953, a total of 18 matches. Foweraker was the club's most successful manager ever, bring the FA Cup trophy to Bolton on three occasions in a span of seven seasons (1923, 1926, and 1929). Nat Lofthouse was Bolton in a way that the modern day equivalent of Kevin Davies, however loved by the fans, could never be. When he was in the team, we played to him. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'historyofsoccer_info-leader-1','ezslot_12',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofsoccer_info-leader-1-0');White shirts were worn by Austria and red by England. Austria and England played a classic international match in Vienna, combining physical, influential English players with a technically proficient Austrian team to display steel and brute strength when needed. He later admitted that the experience in the mines helped his football career saying that his stint; helped toughen me both physically and mentally. On the domestic front Lofthouse enjoyed an outstanding 1952-53 season. Nat Lofthouse began playing football as a very young boy. When he came to, he was the Lion of Vienna, an epithet that stuck for the rest of his life. Nat Lofthouse, the battering ram with a shrewd brain and heart of lion A one-club man to his boots, the Bolton and England striker dubbed the Tank by the Austrians, was a giant of the game. On this occasion, he relieved himself of day-to-day duties at the club but remained on board as an ambassador for the Trotters, attending matches and club events for years to come. In doing so he was elbowed in the face, tackled from behind, and finally brought down by the goalkeeper. "The banks had called time on us. Why was Nat Lofthouse called the Lion of Vienna? He hesitated before he emerged at my side. Lofthouse is rightly remembered as the archetypal one-club man, but to call him that is to do him a disservice. Pushing the tubs made me fitter than I had ever been before. He made the best out of every situation and was often the first to say that he was happy to be earning a living by playing the game that he loved so much. As he regretted later, I never saw the ball enter the Austrian net for the goal of my life.. Any hopes of the Three Lions traditional end-of-season tour being a relatively sedate one had been dashed in their opening game, a frustrating 1-1 draw in Florence in which Englands Italian opponents had resorted to the dark arts on more than one occasion. In 1968, he spent a brief time as caretaker manager of the club and took over the job full-time on 18 December. In the spring, he was awarded the Football Writers Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year title, a clear indication that he had achieved the status of a model professional. Lofthouse was one of the inaugural inductees to the National Football Museum Hall Of Fame in 2002, attending the event to collect his award alongside other greats of the game, including his friend and former England team-mate Sir Tom Finney. Nat's time in that role also didn't go to plan and the legend was relieved of his duties in 1972. Cousin mourns UK football's 'Lion of Vienna' - NZ Herald Although he failed to score in the Cup Winners Cup match there is no doubt that, with 13 goals, he was the star of the show. Out on the pitch at Burnden Park I learned more from George in an hour than I could from most people in a year. That's the two words that go together and the thing about Nat was, as well, that you don't need to put his surname there, do you? From an early age, however, it was clear that as long as he or one of the neighbouring children had something approximating a ball, he felt natural and content. Hurt scoring the winner against Ireland, Lofthouse missed the November 1953 match against Hungary at Wembley where the home team were hammered 6-3 and also suffered a wrist injury causing him to withdrew from the squad that went on a short tour in 1954 which included a 7-1 humbling at the hands of the same Hungarian team in Budapest. Why was Nat Lofthouse called Lion of Vienna? He holds this record to this day. In the next two seasons he continued scoring regularly with the 1955-56 campaign particularly notable. Next in line was a trial for Lancashire schools. Once again, Nat Lofthouse made his intent known early on, scoring his first goal 3 minutes in, bounding onto the ball inside the 6-yard box and poking it in. 32 goals in 36 games for his club and four in five international matches seemed to cement his place as the countrys leading marksman. Seven minutes before the end, the climax occurred. After that, Musil crashed into me, and we both fell to the ground. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The same was true of his debut, which arrived in 1940, aged just 15. Injured for the next match, in the quarter final game against Uruguay he equalized in the 16th minute, after receiving the ball in the 18-yard box.[which? On 22 March 1941, he made his debut for Bolton, scoring two goals in a 5-1 victory over Bury. One false start for his school team aside he was drafted in as a last-minute replacement in goal and conceded seven he began exhibiting a prodigious knack for goalscoring early on. He was probably the last of the old fashioned centre forwards, leading the line with toughness, taking plenty of knocks and giving them out too. Tensions between the two countries were still high politically, and this showed in the stands and on the pitch. 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. 16 January 2011 #1. [3] Shoulder charging the goalkeeper was a legitimate tactic at the time, but Lofthouse later admitted that his challenge was a foul. As it transpired, Nats first day reporting to Burnden Park in 1939 was also Britains first full day at war with Germany. For the recognition of club and country, a statue stands outside Bolton's stadium. His strength and power were again prominent when he won the single honour of his career. They did not have a particularly tough path to Wembley facing mostly Division 2 and 3 sides, although they did knockout Division 1 champions of that season Wolverhampton in the quarter finals. Quite possibly the best football magazine in the World, 2023 All Rights Reserved - Read The League Built by B[]X, RIDE TO HELL. However, theres little doubt that financial pragmatism aside, his heart was always in Bolton and with Wanderers. Somehow, he managed to get the shot off before colliding with the Austrian keeper. On Jan. 15, 2011, Nat Lofthouse passed away quietly in his sleep in a Bolton nursing home at the age of 85. Bolton born and bred, Lofthouse was signed by Bolton Wanderers as a 14 year old apprentice in 1939. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The 285 goals he scored between 1946 and 1961 still make him Boltons top goalscorer. Retiring from playing in 1960, he was made a President of Bolton Wanderers in 1986, a post he held until his death in 2011. A forceful player, he combined physical strength with a powerful shot in either foot or a strong header. That statue is a fitting tribute to a man who gave his all, for both club and country throughout his life. In a football match bearing the weight of sport, politics, and differing ideologies, Lofthouse approached the pitch as though it were a battlefield, sacrificing his body (and probably a few brain cells) to win an important, poignant, and unexpected, victory for England. Nonetheless Lawtons legend was cemented locally and Nat became a huge fan, often travelling to Goodison Park to watch him play for Everton. Just about. On that day, Lofthouse was wearing a brand new pair of shoes, a major luxury at the time. He was declared English Footballer of the Year, an accolade he was given on the eve of the famed Stanley Matthews Final in the FA Cup. At the age of 11 in 1936, Lofthouse tagged along with one of his brothers to watch his older sibling play for the school that they both attended, Castle Hill. The two co-founded the Lion of Vienna Suite community and write about Bolton Wanderers because someone has to. In 1978, he became the club's executive manager. "He was probably one of the best centre forwards England ever had, very aggressive and combative with great speed. Former Bolton Wanderers and England striker Nat Lofthouse, one of the greats of a golden post-war generation, died in his sleep at the age of 85, the club announced on Sunday. The words so often used to describe how he acted in public fearless, brave, lionheart in the words of Stanley Matthews reflected a reputation as a player of almost biblical determination, but one who was privately beset by worry at various points throughout his career. In 1985, at the age of 60, Lofthouse became caretaker manager at the club again and became president in 1986. The Bevin Boy program came to an end in 1948. Many would travel more than a mile down into the earth for around eight hours per day of very hard, physical work. Known as the Lion of Vienna, he scored 255 goals for . It would have certainly resulted in a straight red card by today's standards, but was adjudged to be fair at the time. By Henry Winter 16 January 2011 8:10pm Lion of Vienna Suite Nat Lofthouse East Stand, sponsored by Eventura Providing a match day experience that is perfect for family, friends and fellow Bolton Wanderers fans, the Lion of Vienna Suite offers a relaxed atmosphere with its own pay bar and LED TV screens. The Lion Of Vienna | Family History UK Forum - Free UK Genealogy Bolton's new number 9, Eoin Doyle, whilst playing for League Two side Swindon last season. After receiving a congratulatory telegram from hero Lawton he had a debut to remember grabbing both goals in a 2-2 draw, beating former ballet dancer Vladimir Beara with a close-range shot from a cross from Les Medley and Johnny Hancocks then provided a pinpoint centre which Nat converted with a diving header. The previous week, Nat Lofthouse was heavily criticized, but now hes the great hero, according to the headlines. Football's Pioneers: Nat Lofthouse - Leicester City F.C. Mr Davies recalled the significant efforts Nat had made during the early eighties to raise money to help Wanderers avoid bankruptcy. Nat Lefthouse Biography, Career Info, Records & Achievements - Sportskeeda Lofthouse is rightly remembered as the archetypal one-club man, but to call him that is to do him a disservice. All Id ever wanted to do.. Whilst there was no official league football in 1945-46 (Wanderers finished 3rd in the Football League North) the FA Cup was restarted. Following his discovery, Nat Lofthouse was signed by then-Bolton manager Charles Foweraker, who had, at that point, been manager of the club for 25 years (and would manage for a further five years). Lofthouse, battered and semi-conscious, was taken from the field but returned as a passenger minutes later, still proving fit enough to shoot an effort 30 yards into the goal. George Hunt, who was a very fine centre forward himself, [He won 3 England caps scoring once and netted 169 times in 294 games in a war-interrupted playing career] and he possesses the rare ability to pass on to youngsters his own deep knowledge of the game. An England international, Nat Lofthouse played his entire club career for his hometown club, Bolton Wanderers, scoring 255 goals in 452 league appearances. His funeral service was attended by more than 500 invited guests and members of the public. Sun 16 Jan 2011 13.15 EST The footballer Nat Lofthouse, who has died aged 85, won 33 England caps during a career spent entirely with one club, Bolton Wanderers. ], On 3 May 1958, almost five years to the day after losing the 1953 final, Lofthouse captained Bolton in the 1958 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. (Subs) Ronnie Allen, Ivor Broadis, Bill Nicholson, Stan Pearson, Bert Williams. Like many aspiring youngsters one of Nats early jobs at the club was cleaning the boots of the senior pros and he always paid special attention to those of star forward Ray Westwood, one of the players he had cheered from the sideline when a star-struck spectator. The only thing worse was when I said yes.' However, partially due to this, Nat Lofthouse did not always experience the utter adoration of the fans. Lofthouse would later say; The miners of Britain are the finest fellows in the world. And that, basically, was all I wanted to do. [3] In doing so he was elbowed in the face, tackled from behind, and finally brought down by the goalkeeper. Thousands more stood outside in the streets with speakers erected so that the public could hear the service. Nat charged forward with the ball, in typical Lofthouse fashion receiving an elbow in the face and a tackle from behind. final", "England List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches", 'The Cup Comes Home' - 1958 newsreel of Nat Lofthouse in Bolton, Lancashire, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nat_Lofthouse&oldid=1150190569, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, This page was last edited on 16 April 2023, at 20:03. [12], Lofthouse died on 15 January 2011, aged 85, in a nursing home in Bolton. Football hero: Nat Lofthouse - Manchester Evening News The poor performance of England against Italy almost certainly played a role in the games outcome against Austria. 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. In the following Sundays game with Austria, England was widely considered as an underdog. A one-club man, he played over 400 games for Bolton Wanderers and earned 33 caps for England (as well as his famous nickname). Thanks to his size, a healthy 12 stone (168 pounds) by age 15, he was played up front in a center forward position and it was there that Nat thrived. The total number of free kicks might seem insignificant today, but for soccer in the 1950s was significant. His most memorable performance, which won him the nickname the "Lion of Vienna", was for England against Austria in May 1952. RIP Nat Lofthouse. Instead of scarring him, the experience seemed to instill a sense of purpose when it came to scoring goals which was reflected throughout his career. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. England travelled to to meet an Austria side that at the time were considered among the best in Europe and who had the better of the 2-2 draw at Wembley six months before. Entwistle, like Lofthouse, was an avid Wanderers fan and was named to the club's board in 1937. Lofthouse was a one-club centre-forward who dedicated his life to Bolton Wanderers. Nat had the opportunity to take over as the licensee of the Castle Hill Hotel in the town and was keen to do so. Alchetron In the second half, the Wanderers looked the better team, as the thrown-together nature of Manchester United began to show. A year ago today, Bolton Wanderers announced plans to immortalize the Lion of Vienna with a statue in front of the Reebok Stadium. NAT THE LION | Read The League Lofthouse was at his imperious best, plundering goals at a rate that even the sportswriters who had grown up watching the likes of Dixie Dean and others agreed was exceptional. 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.". In 195253, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year. Lofthouse saw his chance and took it, barging both Gregg and the ball into the back of the net. Matilda is a Texan in Paris and Mark is a Georgian (the country) in New York. . His goals-per-game ratio was among the highest among all England players between 1950 and 1958, during which he won 33 caps for England. When he awoke several moments later, groggy and with a good deal more pain than even he was used to, he was informed that he had just scored one of the defining goals of his career. Drawing 2-2 and with the Austrians pressing for a famous win, an England counter-attack saw Lofthouse put through on goal. In the 16 international matches played since November 1949, 10 have been won, and only two have been lost.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'historyofsoccer_info-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofsoccer_info-medrectangle-4-0'); From Englands perspective, it was necessary to note that Austria had defeated Scotland twice during this run and achieved a 2-2 draw at Wembley. On 24 January 2011 in Bolton Wanderers first home game since his death against Chelsea, a pre-match period of a minute's silence, thunderous applause, black-and-white footage of Lofthouse in action and the laying of floral tributes by Kevin Davies and John Terry took place before the start of the match. [15] Awarded an O.B.E in 1994, Lofthouse suffered from dementia in his later years and passed away at the age of 84 in 2011. ALTHOUGH he earned a great deal of his reputation, and indeed his nickname, for one performance, Nat Lofthouse, The Lion of Vienna was a tremendous servant for his country for eight years, bagging 30 goals in just 33 games, and for his club for over 30 years. Nat Lofthouse: The Lion Of Vienna - Boltom Wanderers Soccer Player We were introduced and I stood there tongue-tied, Nat would later recall. He was famous for entertaining the clientele with some of the many stories about his time as a professional footballer. As much as he was a one-club man, Bolton Wanderers will forever remain a one-man club. In 1956, he finished as the First Divisions top scorer with 33 goals. Never again will you say that England has lost the will to fight. In September 1952, Nat Lofthouse scored six goals in an interleague game against the Irish League. He was born on March 24, 1919, in Blyth, Northumberland, England. Before halftime, the English defense opened up, allowing Dienst to fire past Merrick and level the scores.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'historyofsoccer_info-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_13',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-historyofsoccer_info-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); As the game progressed, it became more fraught. Lofthouse returned to the National line-up for the October 1951 home international draw with Wales and then got both goals in the 2-0 win over Ireland in November followed by another in a 2-2 draw with Austria where he headed home an Alf Ramsey free kick after 76 minutes to level the scores. It was something that Lofthouse would later describe as "the worst moment of his life." [17] It was unveiled on 24 August 2013, three days before what would have been Lofthouse's 88th birthday. Six years later, he was promoted to the head coach position, and the following year, he took to managing the club. As always, football matches were symbolic.. Before becoming Bolton's chief scout, he became an administrative manager at Burnden. Over his international career, launched at such a late age, he scored 30 goals in 33 games, a scoring ratio that is unmatched by any England player with more than 5 appearances to this day. You just say Nat. Why was Nat Lofthouse called the Lion of Vienna? Of all those conscripted into service between the ages of 18 and 25, around 10% went to work in the mines. As though fate declared it, Nat's debut for Bolton's first team also came against a Bury side, on March 22, 1941. We may also very occasionally send you information about the museum via Facebook. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Capped 33 times by the Three Lions, Lofthouse picked up the nickname 'the Lion of Vienna' after his two goals against Austria and represented England in the 1954 World Cup. Bolton were 3-1 up with just 22 minutes to go but their opponents, inspired by Stanley Matthews, stormed back to win 4-3. For the Daily Mail, Roy Peskett described the events clearly. Honours:1 FA Cup Playing career [ edit] After failing to score in the win over Scotland at Hampden the centre forward went on Englands 1952 summer tour. Additionally, he and Tom Finney had the England scoring record together until Jimmy Greaves came along. BBC News - Nat Lofthouse: Life of football legend Lofthouse wasn't very good in goal though, conceding seven goals in his first outing. Named the Lion of Vienna after scoring three goals for England v Austria Nat was a Legend for Bolton Wanderers.and England. In front of 65,500 fans at the Prater Stadium, including hordes of British soldiers, Lofthouse gave England the lead when he smacked home a half-volley from 12 yards after being set up by Jackie Sewell. Stanley Mathewshad his last chance to earn a winners medal. He made his debut in wartime football and in 1943 he became a Bevin boy, one of 48,000 men who were sent to work in the coal mines rather than the armed services in World War II. 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. Boltons top-flight status stabilised as Lofthouse began to find his feet, and in 1950/51 he enjoyed a true breakthrough season, netting 17 times and being granted his first opportunity to prove his mettle on the international stage. Nat Lofthouse - Wikipedia Its capital cities, Berlin and Vienna, were also divided into four by the four Allied Powers (Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and France). 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. Lofthouse was the recipient of various honours after retiring from the game. 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. For England he scored a phenomenal 30 goals in 33 games. he said to me always try to bang in one or two and remember, its goals that count. On 1 January 1994, he was appointed an OBE and on 18 January 1997, Bolton decided to name their East Stand at their new Reebok Stadium after him. He was the club's top scorer in 11 out of the 13 seasons between 1946-47 and 1958-59, with his highest tally in a season resting at 35 goals, attained in that final season of 1958-59. Nat Lofthouse was a 'Bevin Boy', one of thousands of young men conscripted to work in Britain's mines by Ernest Bevin, the coalition government's Minister of Labour and National Service during. How many goals in total did Lofthouse score in the 33 matches he played for England? Despite this, England won the game in a hostile country despite suffering physical battering. In a rare show of off-field bullishness, Lofthouse later remembered that he made it his sole purpose to make one particular writer eat his words even if he choked. Half a century after Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), they were finally recognized as contributors to the war effort by Queen Elizabeth II. For the game with Saskatoon the local team only had nine players so Lofthouse and Tim Ward of Derby County switched sides but couldnt prevent their team losing 19-1. There were England Soccer players dotted among them, their red shirts feeling like poppies in a field of corn as they were carried high in triumph to their dressing-room on the shoulders of the Dorsets, the Warwicks, the Signalmen, and the Gunners. He ran a pub for a while, whilst still coaching at his one and only club but the lure of football proved too great. Having seen off Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Middlesbrough, Bolton were drawn to play Stoke City Stanley Matthews and all in the two-legged quarter final. Posts 7,107 Likes 2 Location swindon wilts. My body became firmer and harder, I learned to take hard knocks without feeling them. Ultimately, the Hungarians cruelly exposed Englands insecurities in May 1954 and November 1953 against Continental opposition. 102 Years of Burnden Park: Part Two - Lion Of Vienna Suite
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