HE's lived in Bolton for 19 years, bar two years at Lilleshall, went to school in the town and now Paul Wheatcroft is ready to play football in Bolton - for the Wanderers.

The ex-Manchester United trainee was snapped up by Wanderers manger Sam Allardyce after he became surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and together with Michael Ricketts will attempt to fill the considerable boots of Eidur Gudjohnsen.

"I went to Bolton School and have lived in Bolton all of my life, except when I went down to Lilleshall for two years and I am happy to have come back to Bolton to play football.

"Bolton were the first club to come in for me and that is the only thing you need to know as a player," said Wheatcroft shortly after signing for the Whites.

Wheatcroft was at United for nine years (another 12 months and he might have asked for a testimonial!) and felt his career had come to a crossroads. Now he's hoping he's made the right choice and that he's again heading in the right direction.

He's chosen Wanderers and now he can't wait for the challenge,

" I enjoyed it at United but I needed to think about my career and move on.

"United were looking to win and you can't blame the manager when he goes out and buys players. It's not easy for him to blood youngsters. Hopefully at Bolton I'll make more inroads into the first team."

Wheatcroft certainly has the pedigree to be a big hit at the Reebok. The Lancashire starlet has represented his country at schoolboys, under-16's and under-18's level. If he made the leap to under-21 level or even the full national side, he will have done something right at the Reebok.