Lofthouse Statue Image Revealed

The Lofthouse family have decided on the image which is to be replicated in a statue outside the Reebok

Bolton Wanderers can announce that Nat Lofthouse's family have selected the image of the club legend which will be replicated in a statue outside the Reebok Stadium.

Of the three images chosen by the fans in a public vote, the family have decided that they would like the image of Nat walking out of the tunnel at Burnden Park (pictured right) to be replicated in the statue.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Nat's daughter Vivien said: "We want to thank the people of Bolton for the money they have generously given so far and for the images they have chosen of dad."

"It was a long process selecting the final image, because each was so significant, so a lot of thought has been put into the choice.

"We felt that this one summed up dad.

"Week in week out he led the Wanderers, he loved the club, the fans and for us as a family it is especially poignant bearing in mind dad's last words were 'I've got the ball now, it's a bit worn, but I've got it'.

"We are delighted by all the work that has gone into thinking about the garden surrounding the statue and how it incorporates the fans and their families."

The statue is to form part of a wider Memorial Garden that is to be located in the south-west corner of the stadium, with Nat's final words to be incorporated as part of an inscription.

The other two images, Nat holding aloft the FA Cup at Wembley and Nat scoring a volley for England, will also form part of the garden and will be made into large bronze reveals.

The garden will include seating areas and give the opportunity for fans to have bricks placed in the walkway in memory of their loved ones.

Club Chaplain Phil Mason said: "The chosen image seems the most fitting for all the reasons outlined by the family and particularly suited to Nat's final words.

"I am very pleased that we are able to use all three images that were chosen by the people of Bolton."

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