Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium

This has come as a massive shock and something that is hard to come to terms with today. Nat is a true Legend of Bolton Wanderers football club and will be truly missed.

Thanks for everything Nat, your name is engraved in our hearts forever. R.I.P. - Danny Welton

It is very sad news about the death of Nat Lofthouse - a true gentleman and football legend. My condolences and best wishes to the family of Mr Lofthouse and everyone connected to Bolton Wanderers - a truly great football club. - Danny Callaghan (A Stoke City supporter)

I am a Plymouth Argyle supporter but many years ago was lucky enough to be taken to Burnden Park by a Bolton Wanderers season ticket holder.

I had the great privilege of having lunch with Nat Lofthouse - he was an absolute gentleman and to this day I feel very privileged to have shared his company if only for a brief moment. He could not have made me feel more welcome.

Not only for himself but also for Bolton Wanderers football club, he was an absolute credit. Unfortunately the world will never see the like of Nat Lofthouse again. RIP. - Chris Roper (Plymouth)

Nat’s record as a players goes without saying and I was privileged to see him play in the last 1950s, but his character outshone even his exceptional playing ability.

I, and many other supporters, will treasure our memories of Nat, as he was one of the most approachable people you would ever meet.

From attending supporters' events, to being at Burnden Park every day, long after his retirement and always willing to chat to supporters, he was second to none.

One of my memories is of cueing for tickets for the Sherpa Van Trophy final in 1989, outside Burnden very early one morning, when Nat came out and shouted "Happy days are here again!" to us. He then went back into the office and shortly afterwards the staff appeared with cups of tea - ordered by Nat to warm up in his words "the loyal supporters".

Rest in peace Nat, I am proud to sit in the Lofthouse Stand and have been since the Reebok opened. You will never be forgotten. - Eileen F. Rigby

Nat was great servant to Bolton Wanderers, a truly one club man. My only regret is that I never saw the great man play. RIP Nat. - Steve and Emma Culshaw

I'd like to add my condolences to those already expressed. Nat Lofthouse would have done anything for his club and his town and he set and example to everyone involved in the game today.

His playing record speaks for itself. He managed the team more than once when they needed stability and helped to save the club with his support for the Bolton Lifeline scheme. Nat, The Super White. - David Knowles

Nat was a true legend and I remember him coming to present a season ticket to a colleague on his retirement. He had spent a long time finding out all about the colleague who was retiring and this showed how thoughtful and understanding he was.

He was a true gentleman and will never be forgotten in the history of our wonderful club. Only last week I was in the Lion of Vienna suite and spent a very happy half hour admiring the amazing photographs of the great man.

I am sure he is now banging in the goals at the great big football club in heaven. - Nigel James (Nottingham)

I'm not a Bolton supporter, I am a Sheffield Wednesday fan from Hillsborough, Sheffield.

On learning of the passing of Nat Lofthouse I felt compelled to post this tribute. Football as a whole has lost one of the last greats of the English game. He played in an era when I believe football was a game played by real men with a proper ball!

If players got fouled, they got up and got on with the game. Then at full time, they shook hands with everyone and went for a pint. Bolton and football will never see a player of the like of Nat Lofthouse again.

He was a true great. RIP. - Richard Crisp (Sheffield)

I was saddened to hear of the death of Nat Lofthouse. Nat worked with my Uncle Ernest Holden at Mossley Common and my Uncle Bert Gregory worked on the ground staff at Burnden Park for 40 years.

Both spoke of him as an absolute gentleman off the pitch and the opposing teams worst nightmare on it. The coal mines of south Lancashire did breed hard men (Tommy Banks was of the same school).

His dedication to the Trotters, his style of play, and his stature as a fine Lancashire man has not been, and probably will never, be matched. - Alan Gregory (Bury)

The death of Nat Lofthouse is a great loss for his family, friends and for Bolton Wanderers FC, and sincere condolences go to all. His display of loyalty to Bolton Wanderers over a lifetime is indeed remarkable and truly inspiring.

His 'pathway' to football, via local pits, in is one with which we Rotherham United fans are particularly in empathy with. Many of our club legends were men from the local coalfields and they were better men for it.

The Lion of Vienna leaves behind a legacy of toughness yet kindness, strength yet gentleness, courage, bravery, honesty, humbleness, fairness and loyalty. He was a true 'gentleman' in every sense of the word.

He graced football and he graced the world in general. That is why football fans from all clubs and countries, normally bitter rivals, will be united totally in common grief at the loss of an English Giant.

Respect, support and strength from all at Rotherham United FC - Phil Slater (Rotherham)

Nat, I was too young too see you play, but my earliest football memories are of my father telling me stories of your exploits. He was a regular in the 50s and 60s still fondly talks of your abilities as a player and role model for how true sportsmen should lead their lives.

You will never be forgotten Nat. God bless, RIP. - Mark Davies

Thank-you for your service to Bolton and thank you for bringing so much pleasure to millions of people. You are a legend Nat and you will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathies go to the Lofthouse family at this sad, sad time. - Merv Thomason (Kent)

We are so sad to hear of the passing of Nat - he was a true legend never to be forgotten.

Nat you will always stay in our hearts and at your beloved club Bolton will never forget a loyal gentleman as you where. You are now reunited with your beloved wife who also has never been forgotten.

May you now rest in peace. You will be sadly missed, goodnight god bless, Nat. - Denise, Stephen and the Pearson family

Nat was a Legend and a true gentleman. It was a pleasure meeting you and shaking your hands. It is a sad day for not only your family & Bolton Wanderers but to the all footballing community worldwide. RIP Nat. - Zubair Moosa and family

It's impossible to write in a few lines what you meant to Bolton as a town and a club. You will be truly missed, not just by Bolton fans, but by fans of the game nationwide.

Rest In Peace now Sir Nat, you've earned your place on the big football pitch in the sky. - Ian Watson

My dad told me many great stories about Nat and I've seen some good centre-forwards for Bolton Wanderers. But Nat was the special one to dad and will always be the
best centre-forward he has ever seen.

Good night and god bless to a true Bolton legend. - Dave Haywood

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Nat Lofthouse. Hhe was before my time, but along with other legends, like Sir Tom Finney and Sir Stanley Matthews, he set the scene for future generations of greats.

Imagine what he'd be paid in today’s money mad Premier League? My condolences go to both his immediate family and to his Bolton Wanderers family. - Phil Gallivan (A Birmingham City supporter)

My Heart goes to the Lofthouse family, a true gentleman and a sporting legend, you will be sorely missed. R.I.P Lion of Vienna - Richard Taylor (Bolton Wanderers Fan)

To a true Gentleman , who would take time out to talk to all , sadly missed a True Legend - Tony Stephens

It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Nat Lofthouse. I have to say that Nat was a little before my time in watching football as it was in 1967 when I saw my first game at Molineux.

I always enjoyed reading about the exploits of Nat Lofthouse, particularly about his England career and the game in which he was given the title The Lion of Vienna.

Football has lost a true legend NS my thoughts are with his family at this time.Thank-you Nat for helping to shape the game as we know it today, - Gary Lester (A Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter)