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. There may have been no better example of this than in 1954 when Serie A side Fiorentina put in a lucrative offer for Lofthouse (one that would have allowed him to live very comfortably after retirement) but the club turned it down. Alchetron 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. Due to hostilities, Lofthouse didnt make his league debut for Wanderers until the 1946-47 season. 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. The stands were filled with British troops, who had remained stationed throughout Austria in the aftermath of the war. He said of his career; For me Football is pleasure with pay. I learnt to take hard knocks without feeling them. Lofthouse mourned by Bolton and England | Inside UEFA Elliotts pass to Baily was impressive. [3], On 26 November 1958, Lofthouse made his final England appearance, against Wales, at the age of 33, and he officially retired from the game in January 1960 because of an ankle injury, although his final league game was not until 17 December of that year, when he suffered a knee injury against Birmingham City. Herbert Chapman: Arsenal FC And Huddersfield Town Manager, Miguel Muoz: First To Win European Cup As Player And Manager, Sir Bobby Robson: More Than A Football Manager In Tyneside. In the 1930s, Austria had been among the great Central European football nations. The Bolton boys launched another attack, ending with a Ray Parry shot on goal. Nat was the youngest of four boys. 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. 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. A runner-up medal and the Footballer of the Year award came to him in 1953, and a winners medal and the FA Cup in 1958. In the Daily Herald, Clifford Webb wrote; Every man-jack did a heros job, but the player who provided the really tremendous thrill for the frantically cheering English colony was Nat Lofthouse. A forceful player, he combined physical strength with a powerful shot in either foot or a strong header. There was then a Cup Winners Cup played between the winners of the North and South tournaments. Nat Lofthouse: Farewell to the Lion of Vienna | The Bolton News 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. The team nearly went back up at the first time of asking but a third-place position would not be enough for them. However, theres little doubt that financial pragmatism aside, his heart was always in Bolton and with Wanderers. After that, Musil crashed into me, and we both fell to the ground. He looked like a boxer at the end of a tough 15 rounds when he left the field. 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. His signing may well have been precipitated by Boltons stately long-time manager, Charles Foweraker, anticipating losing many of his players to the war effort. The wording of the epithet is indicative both of the era and the man himself. Yet, Lofthouse loved being on the field and was going to take every opportunity he had. His lifelong dedication to the club was not work, but a manifestation of who he was. Lofthouse Lofthouse was dubbed the "Lion of Vienna" after scoring the second goal in England's 3-2 triumph over Austria on May 25, 1952. The project, funded by the people of Bolton and fans of the club, is due to be completed on August 27, 2013, or what would have been Lofthouse's 88th birthday. Thread starter leefer; Start date 16 January 2011; leefer Loyal Member. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A single man did not give up. As much as he was a one-club man, Bolton Wanderers will forever remain a one-man club. Merrick plucked a corner cross from the air, who threw a long, swerving ball down the middle of the field. As with the other definitive match of his career, the match was emotionally charged, this time due to the fact that the opponents, Manchester United, had been decimated only three months earlier in the tragic Munich Air Disaster. Lofthouse was in. On top of running the Castle Pub after his retirement, Lofthouse maintained a number of different positions with Bolton Wanderers. 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. Entwistle, like Lofthouse, was an avid Wanderers fan and was named to the club's board in 1937. In his 1999 book, Bolton Wanderers, Dean Hayes illustrated what a typical day looked like for Lofthouse: "Bevin Boy Lofthouse's Saturdays went like this: up at 3.30 a.m., catching the 4.30 tram to work; eight hours down the pit pushing tubs; collected by the team coach; playing for Bolton. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. With essentially all of the first-teamers away at the war, it was comparatively easy for Nat to work his way into a regular starting spot, and by the time the regular league resumed in 1946, that spot was effectively sealed for the next 14 years. Nat Lofthouse began playing football as a very young boy. His father was a coal-bagger for the community's co-operative before becoming the head horse keeper for Bolton Corporation. During his playing career, Nat Lofthouse was deservedly celebrated for his numerous on-pitch achievements. Back from national team duty, he then scored six goals in a game for the Football League against the Irish League on 24 September 1952. The phrase Lion of Vienna will be forever associated with Lofthouse. Lofthouse scored twice against Belgium in a match that ended 44. The only identity was Nat Lofthouse. It was there that the conversation that would change his life forever took place. He wasn't part of an illustrious academy early on, like those you see in the modern game. 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. Why was Nat Lofthouse called Lion of Vienna? On foreign soil, the English brave and plucky had triumphed over technologically superior opponents against all odds. The plan was for the statue to be funded by public donations, with help from the club. As far as the future was concerned, these results were not isolated, and these signs were already in evidence. One of those matches would turn out to be the definitive 90 minutes of his England career, at what was then called Praterstadion in Vienna on the 25th of May, 1952. During Lofthouses career, Vienna played a crucial role. The poor performance of England against Italy almost certainly played a role in the games outcome against Austria. 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. The match in question was a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Nat scored 2 of Bolton's goals. In 1968, he spent a brief time as caretaker manager of the club and took over the job full-time on 18 December. Josef Musil, Rudolf, Rockl, Ernst Happel, Walter Schleger, Ernst Ocwirk, Theodor Brinek, Ernst Melchior, Gerhard Hanappi, Robert Dienst, Adolf Huber, Walter Haummer. In 1952-53, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year. That changed in the 1952-53 season. The goal he scored when coming on as substitute for the injured Tommy Taylor against Finland in Helsinki was the 29th for his country taking him past Steve Bloomer as Englands all-time leading scorer. He won 33 caps for England between 1950 and 1958, scoring 30 goals, with one of the highest goals-per-game ratios of any England player. Why was Nat Lofthouse called the Lion of Vienna? Additionally, the development of the Cold War affected the trip to Austria. 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. Wanderers gave the then 15-year-old his debut on 14 March 1941 in a wartime match with Bury again providing the opposition. The Mayor of Bolton, Alderman Entwhistle who was also a director of the club approached the youngster and asked him to sign and, along with the manager they managed to stop the local lad from leaving town although as he had already been a regular spectator at Burnden Park. But he came back before the final whistle as Nat's valiant display earned him the nickname, 'Lion of Vienna'. The military nature of this event was further underscored by the presence of so many British soldiers in uniform. On that day, Lofthouse was wearing a brand new pair of shoes, a major luxury at the time. A year to the day after his death, Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside announced plans for one to be built and for the statue to be situated outside the Reebok Stadium. 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. That didn't last long though, as soon as Lofthouse was placed up front and the goals flowed. But he continued banging in goals with either foot or his head for his club and the selectors eventually decided they couldnt ignore him. Henry Winter: Nat Lofthouse was a leader, a lion and a legend 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. Bolton were 3-1 up with just 22 minutes to go but their opponents, inspired by Stanley Matthews, stormed back to win 4-3. The two co-founded the Lion of Vienna Suite community and write about Bolton Wanderers because someone has to. 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. Football Legends Nat Lofthouse ( 'The Lion of Vienna' ) R-I-P Cousin mourns UK football's 'Lion of Vienna' - NZ Herald Nat charged forward with the ball, in typical Lofthouse fashion receiving an elbow in the face and a tackle from behind. 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. It was one of the first instances of a personal worrisome streak that was completely at odds with his public persona. Nat Lofthouse was one of the post-war giants of football who had a glittering career with Bolton Wanderers, his only club, and England. The piratical, practical genius of Nat Lofthouse | FourFourTwo To prove it, they battered England with arms, legs and heads. Even earning the maximum wage, financial security for his family wasnt secured beyond his playing days, and he tried his hand at both working as a paint salesman and running a pub. It was taken from 40 yards and swerved like a mad thing past the astonished Robertson in the Chelsea goal.. If he fails again to accept changes from the clean breakaways against Italy, England will be doomed. Lofthouse was well aware of his uncertain status, saying later, I knew I played poorly in Florence [but] I wasnt prepared for the reception I received in the press.. Bolton as a team were struggling to reassert themselves with their pre-war team dismantled and Foweraker retiring, and that process was made considerably more difficult by the shadow both psychological and financial cast by the Burnden Disaster, a crush that killed 33, in 1946. The plaudits for the Lion of Vienna didn't stop after he hung up his boots though. He said: I would have an hour or two off to receive coaching from George and firmly believe that these private coaching sessions played a big part in my advancement. As a result, Nat Lofthouse was nicknamed the Lion of Vienna. When he was in the team, we played to him. And so, Lofthouse had achieved his boyhood dream, to be a Bolton Wanderers player, at age 14. He hung up his boots in 1961 having scored 285 goals for Wanderers. The 285 goals he scored between 1946 and 1961 still make him Boltons top goalscorer. 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. [6], Tributes were paid to Lofthouse as he celebrated his 80th birthday, including a party at the Reebok. In 1953, it all came together. Thousands of people gather for the funeral of former Bolton Wanderers and England football legend Nat Lofthouse. Urbis Building 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. Who Was Known as the "Lion of Vienna"? - Sportsmanist Posts 7,107 Likes 2 Location swindon wilts. "The banks had called time on us. In spite of his prolific scoring, it took England selectors a few seasons to notice the boy from Bolton, Lofthouse's first England cap came in November of 1950 at the late age of 25. By 1942, all males in the United Kingdom aged 18-51 (with a few exceptions) were eligible to be conscripted by the government into wartime service. Lofthouse is rightly remembered as the archetypal one-club man, but to call him that is to do him a disservice. United played well in the first half, but their attacks were continually stopped by the Bolton defense "like waves breaking against a rock," as one commentator noted. We are a registered charity; Accepting his award from a local councilman, he was unaware that the man in front of him sat on the board of Bolton Wanderers, until he asked if Lofthouse would like to play for them. Pic courtesy of Mirrorpix. He was born on March 24, 1919, in Blyth, Northumberland, England. Nat Lofthouse, the battering ram with a shrewd brain and heart of lion Throughout the opening 20 minutes, Austria dominated, but England responded. He did win the medal. Seven minutes before the end, the climax occurred. ], 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. The United lost emotion on the whole game at the end. The Bolton Wanderers reached the final again five years later. He slid the ball past the keeper but was knocked cold in the challenge as he did. Nonetheless Lawtons legend was cemented locally and Nat became a huge fan, often travelling to Goodison Park to watch him play for Everton. Nat had the opportunity to take over as the licensee of the Castle Hill Hotel in the town and was keen to do so. He would later serve as the Chairman of the Board on two occasions: in 1952-1953 and again from 1961-1963. On 22 March 1941, he made his debut for Bolton, scoring two goals in a 5-1 victory over Bury. Returning on the bus after the game he was shocked to find Tommy Lawton waiting for him. 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. Still, the Lion of Vienna's time with the Trotters was nowhere near done as just a few years later, he became the club's Executive Manager. He had been clattered by a defender as he shot and was carried from the field. . Long after his star had ascended, he could still be found riding the bus from his nearby home to Burnden Park, delighting in surprising fans who were discussing his performances on the pitch unbeknownst of his presence. Of all those conscripted into service between the ages of 18 and 25, around 10% went to work in the mines. Still more fans entered and the crush resulted in the death of 33 people. What made Lofthouses feats all the more remarkable was the manner in which he shrugged them off. 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. Speaking During his "Nat Lofthouse: This Is Your Life" show, Lofthouse had said of his time as manager: "I think the worst thing Bolton Wanderers' directors ever did was ask me to be manager. He scored 22 goals in 36 games for a Wanderers team that finished 14th. 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. 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. The Lion Of Vienna. In response to penalty appeals, the referee awarded a corner. Read |Sir Stanley Matthews and the story of Englands humble wizard. Even his nickname, the Lion of Vienna, is something you wouldn't dream of bestowing upon the modern player. Nat responds: "That's alright, Harry. Nat Lofthouse - Wikipedia As it turned out, the England team ended up on the receiving end of a brutal match. Bolton born and bred, Lofthouse was signed by Bolton Wanderers as a 14 year old apprentice in 1939. Owning the public house was not the most rewarding career choice to the man who only wanted to see his boyhood club do well. In 1958, he achieved his crowning glory, scoring twice including a controversial bundled second which sent the ball and goalkeeper Harry Gregg into the net as Bolton overcame a Manchester United side ravaged by the Munich Air Disaster to win the FA Cup. It was originally scheduled to take place three days later on his birthday but the date was moved forward to coincide with Bolton's home fixture against Queens Park Rangers. A one-club man, he played over 400 games for Bolton Wanderers and earned 33 caps for England (as well as his famous nickname). He scored a goal but was on the losing side in the famous 1953 FA Cup Final (aka 'The Matthews Final'), having previously scored in each round. 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.".
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