By Chris Wright

RIP Bolton and England striker Nat ‘Lofty’ Lofthouse, who died peacefully on Saturday evening, aged 85…

(video via BBC Sport)

The phrase “the word ‘legend’ is overused these days” is undeniably overused itself these days, but with Nat’s passing goes a true giant of the game – which his goalscoring record (255 goals in 452 Bolton appearances and 30 goals in just 33 England starts, one of the best international goal-to-game records of all time) duly attests to.

Incidentally, Lofthouse earned the nickname ‘Lion of Vienna’ for his show-stealing performance in England’s 3-2 win over Austria in 1952, a match in which the striker scored twice despite having seven shades thrashed out of him thanks to some fairly ‘agricultural’ defending – eventually being knocked unconcious, before returning to the field to finish the game.

Any tributes to Nat? You know where to leave them…

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