5 Years Ago

AS Bolton Wanderers looked towards a future in Europe, the Reebok paid tribute to the heroes of the past as the legendary Nat Lofthouse was named the club’s greatest player of all time.

The famous Lion of Vienna topped the bill at a glittering Legends celebration when a galaxy of stars came together for a night to remember.

Nat — Bolton’s most famous sporting son and a Wanderer for more than six decades — topped the fans’ poll with Jay Jay Okocha, captain of the present-day team, second and John McGinlay, cult hero of the 1990s, third. Gudni Bergsson, Frank Worthington, Eddie Hopkinson, Paul Jones, Peter Reid, Keith Branagan and Jussi Jaaskelainen made up the top 10 on a 50-strong roll of honour.

McGinlay, who flew in from America for the event, paid a glowing tribute to his illustrious predecessor, who had ended his day-to-day involvement with the club but, as president and honorary director, remained a revered figurehead.

“Nat is not just one of Bolton’s legends but he is one of the all-time greats of English football,” said Super John.

“I suppose ‘Sir’ Nat Lofthouse is the highest honour you could give him personally, but this will come very close to that, I’m sure.”

Twenty-four hours earlier, Stylianos Giannakopoulos — the little man with the big ambition — got the goal that beat Norwich 1-0 at the Reebok and kept Sam Allardyce’s Wanderers on course for at least a UEFA Cup place.

No one was ruling out a Champions League spot, especially since Wanderers had bounced back formidably after a mid-season slump that has seen them plunge from fourth to 14th.

The afternoon did not go entirely without a hitch as Wanderers mascot Lofty the Lion was made to change his shorts and socks after the relegation-haunted Norwich players complained they were struggling to distinguish between him and the Bolton players.

As the report suggested — you would have thought the big lion’s head and mane would have given them a clue.

Life in Super League was turning out to be a painful experience for Leigh Centurions, as illustrated when they travelled to Wigan for their first league derby for 12 years and were on the receiving end of a 62-6 pasting.

Walkden’s Steve Foster Jnr boxed his way to a world crown when he knocked out Livingston Cruz to claim the WBU featherweight title, but a month on he was still waiting for his belt to be made.

25 Years Ago

LIFE had become increasingly uncomfortable for Wanderers boss Charlie Wright after his elevation from caretaker manager.

Wright had inspired a revival during his temporary stewardship following the departure of John McGoven, but the Whites could not sustain it and a 4-0 hammering at Bournemouth — their heaviest league defeat of the season — was their fifth in a row.

They had the worst record in Division Three over their last seven games and it was clear they had a survival fight on their hands.

Nottingham Forest striker Peter Davenport won a surprise call into Bobby Robson’s England squad for a friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

Davenport got his chance because experienced internationals Tony Woodcock and Trevor Francis were injured. But he still had to fight his way past Chris Waddle, Gary Lineker and Paul Mariner for the right to partner Tony Hateley in the England attack.

As Manchester United continued to progress in the UEFA Cup, neighbours City were looking good for promotion from the Second Division after a 4-0 demolition of Shrewsbury Town, which was inspired by the outstanding Steve Kinsey.

The Football Association launched a probe into crowd trouble that marred the Bury-Blackpool Fourth Division top-of-the-table clash at Gigg Lane.

A 3,000-strong band of Blackpool fans were blamed for the violence but Bury were in the dock because it was alleged they had not taken “all reasonable precautions” to prevent the trouble.

Frank Bruno was offered the chance to pick up his first boxing title when he was named official challenger to European heavyweight champion Anders Eklund.

Rugby league powerhouses Wigan romped to a 52-6 victory over Workington Town at Central Park where Brett Kenny celebrated his 24th birthday by scoring two tries and having a hand in five others.

Injury-hit Leigh could only muster 15 fit players for a vital relegation clash at Featherstone, where they lost 18-10.

Star players Des Drummond, John Woods, Derek Pyke and Jeff Clarke sat in the stands as Leigh’s fading survival hopes took another battering.

50 Years Ago

NO ONE gave the depleted Bolton Wanderers side much of a chance at Birmingham City, but the unfamiliar team, captained by Tommy Banks, thrashed the Blues 5-2 to record their biggest away win since January 1954 when they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Neville Bannister, Dick Oxtoby and Graham Cunliffe were relative unknowns in First Division circles, but they all made contributions.

Bannister rounded off the scoring with Wanderers’ fifth after Freddie Hill (two), Dennis Stevens and a Roy Hartle penalty had put Bill Ridding’s team 4-0 up. Don Weston and John Gordon reduced the deficit for the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup finalists.

Over at Maine Road, Manchester City unveiled their expensive new signing — a certain Denis Law, who moved from Huddersfield for £53,000.

Down at the poorer end of the Football League, Fourth Division Exeter City were planning to reduce their playing staff by a third as a cost-cutting measure.

The high cost of travel and hotel bills were blamed for putting a strain on their finances.