Hughesy Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Big Nat has passed away.... RIP Never seen him as a player due to my age, but he was one of my grandads favourites and someone iv heard alot about. A true pro, and a proper club legend for Bolton - 450+ appearances and a 1 club man....
This thread is brought to you by theterracestore.com Enter code `BRFCS` at checkout for an exclusive discount!
Backroom Tom Posted January 16, 2011 Backroom Posted January 16, 2011 RIP a generation is sadly disappearing
jim mk2 Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 RIP Nat - the Lion of Vienna. They don't make centre forwards like him anymore.
RIML Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Being from Bolton and most of my family being Bolton fans I remember we had this cassette tape with Bolton football songs on, I used to love listening to the song about the 'Lion of Vienna' I was told what the song was about but didn't really understand, I must have only been about 7 or 8 at the time but he meant something to me back then. Most Bolton fans I know thought he should have been knighted. He was a one club man like our Ronnie too. R.I.P Nat Lofthouse
XLM Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 He was a school friend of my grandad, they used to go on holiday together to Blackpool. That's pretty much my only knowledge of him. R.I.P.
daveoftherovers Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 RIP Nat Lofthouse Here is a decent article on the Lion of Vienna: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/16/nat-lofthouse-bolton-england Sorry for your loss Lofthouse family and Wanderers
chocky Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 One of the last of a fast disapeasring breed. Playing football purely for the love of the game. R.I.P.
Tim Southampton Rover Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 RIP to a wonderful player and a great man.
adopted scouser Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Another decent gentleman of a player passes away. By comparison, look at some of the chavs pulling on the shirt nowadays. 'F*** you, F*** your leg'. Disgusting.
jim mk2 Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 RIP Nat Lofthouse Here is a decent article on the Lion of Vienna: http://www.guardian....-bolton-england Sorry for your loss Lofthouse family and Wanderers Guardian article mentions Lofthouse's barge on Harry Gregg in the 1958 Cup final. Not sure if it's available on the internet but it makes incredible viewing considering the protection goalkeepers receive from referees these days.
Glenn Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Guardian article mentions Lofthouse's barge on Harry Gregg in the 1958 Cup final. Not sure if it's available on the internet but it makes incredible viewing considering the protection goalkeepers receive from referees these days. http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=35187 About 2/3rds the way in (player doesn't give proper time marks).
Tyrone Shoelaces Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 A truly great player, I saw him in the flesh once when he scored a goal Shearer in his pomp would have been proud of. He chased a long bouncing clearance out on to the right wing, finally catching up with it about 3 yards in from both touchlines out by the corner flag. As it sat up he hit a mid air swivel volley right footed, it flew like an arrow past a startled goalkeeper who was alread mentally preparing to take a goal kick ! This was right at the end of his career, Very similar player to Shearer in style, ability and attitude. I heard him say on the radio " I could run, shoot and head " Well he could run and shoot alright. A massive loss to his family, Bolton the town and club, North West football and football in general. Rest In Peace Nat and thanks for that goal. John.
JMillZz Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Another decent gentleman of a player passes away. By comparison, look at some of the chavs pulling on the shirt nowadays. 'F*** you, F*** your leg'. Disgusting. Diouf was ACCUSED of saying that and has vouched Nelsen and other players can confirm he never said this. I don't believe you were on the pitch to hear it and are just going off Warnock's rantings = not healthy. Though I do agree it's disappointing some footballers who have the money and the life but lack being a gentleman. RIP Nat Lofthouse and condolences to all family, friends and fans.
thenodrog Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Another decent gentleman of a player passes away. By comparison, look at some of the chavs pulling on the shirt nowadays. 'F*** you, F*** your leg'. Disgusting. Completely unecessary Nick. The entire Bolton team of that time were a terrifying prospect and were all 'well ard' and Nat was far from being a gentle giant on the pitch I can assure you. I went to school with his daughter Vivian so condolences to all.
RIML Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 I found the cassette tape I mentioned previously, I had a listen to the song - Lion of Vienna by Jimmy Smith and great memories came flooding back. There was a lad from Bolton Nat Lofthouse was his name He used to work in a coal mine But he reached the hall of fame As the world of football came along And took him out t'mine And made the lad from Bolton A legend in his time He was the lion, the lion of Vienna He was the lion, the pride of Lancashire There'll be other centre forwards And other football teams But the lion of Vienna is the best there's ever been A call from England came again to play on foreign soil And England was his _________ And the Austrians would soon find out _________ It was Lofthouse pride of England And a legend in his time He was the lion, the lion of Vienna He was the lion, the pride of Lancashire There'll be other centre forwards And other football teams But the lion of Vienna is the best there's ever been A match remained in deadlock It looked an each-way bet 'til Lofty took a through ball And crashed it in t'net He's the Lion of Vienna By the _________ He's England's centre forward And a legend in his time The game of football's changed a bit since I were a little lad With a scarf and rattle in me hand cheering with me Dad And gone are the days of the old brass band and Lofty in his prime He were England's centre forward and a legend in his time He was the lion, the lion of Vienna He was the lion, the pride of Lancashire There'll be other centre forwards And other football teams But the lion of Vienna is the best there's ever been He was the lion, the lion of Vienna He was the lion, the pride of Lancashire There'll be other centre forwards And other football teams But the lion of Vienna is the BEST THERE'S EVER BEEN Even though I don't support Bolton but most of my family do, I was brought up knowing Lofthouse was a legend and I loved this song. Unfortunately I couldn't quite make out all of the words but I think it's brilliant and it'll always mean a lot to me. R.I.P Nat Lofthouse.
broadsword Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Completely unecessary Nick. The entire Bolton team of that time were a terrifying prospect and were all 'well ard' and Nat was far from being a gentle giant on the pitch I can assure you. I went to school with his daughter Vivian so condolences to all. I take it he didn't go spitting at anyone though, eh?
cn174 Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 My friend at Wanderers Ways asked me to post a link to the Book of Condolences should anyone want to write anything.
old darwen blue Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Rest in peace Mr Lofthouse, a Wanderers and England legend.
Zulu Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 Thanks to all here for your kind comments. I'm a 56 year old so-called hard nosed beggar and I've been walking around with a lump in my throat and a tear not far from my eyes since I heard the news. All Bolton Wanderers fans worshipped the bloke, he was all the things a man should be - and not just a great footballer. I was fortunate to have met him on a couple of occasions and he was just a bloody nice man. 30 goals in 33 England appearances! I suspect we shall never see another like him. RIP Nat - the Lion of Vienna.
dave birch Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 Saw him a couple of times, a proper footballer, give it and take it. In the same mold as our Ron, and Duggie. Puts the present mob (all divisions) to shame. RIP Nat, joining the legends in heaven.
AggyBlue Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 There a hour long tribute to Nat on Sky Sports 2 this evening at 10pm, well worth setting the recorder for. I'd recommend our younger members watch it as an insight to what football used to be like and how our older members remember the game.
Tyrone Shoelaces Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 Thanks to all here for your kind comments. I'm a 56 year old so-called hard nosed beggar and I've been walking around with a lump in my throat and a tear not far from my eyes since I heard the news. All Bolton Wanderers fans worshipped the bloke, he was all the things a man should be - and not just a great footballer. I was fortunate to have met him on a couple of occasions and he was just a bloody nice man. 30 goals in 33 England appearances! I suspect we shall never see another like him. RIP Nat - the Lion of Vienna. Yeh and how many of those 30 goals came in games against the likes of San Marino, Malta, Transyvania, Treasure Island and all the minnows we play today- none.
RIML Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Bolton honours Lofthouse They played a part of the song I mentioned (Lion of Vienna) at the funeral just after 13 minutes in the video, it's really sad to watch especially when you see all the football greats paying their respects. R.I.P Nat Lofthouse
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.