bwfc.co.uk continues its series of countdown-to-the-season articles profiling former players who have worn a certain shirt number for the club
Wanderers' special series of countdown articles prior to the new season continues with the number 12 taking centre stage in the latest edition.
Gudni Bergsson
March 1995 – June 2003
A true legend on both the terraces at Burnden Park and the Reebok Stadium, Gudni Bergsson’s eight year spell with Wanderers ultimately ensured that he endeared himself into the hearts of the Bolton faithful for ever more.
Starting his career with Icelandic side Valur as a teenager, the defender made his first move to England with Tottenham Hotspur in 1988 via a brief loan stint at TSV 1860 München.
Enjoying a six year stint in North London, Bergsson returned to Valur once more on loan in 1994 before making the move to Burnden Park in the summer of 1995.
Going on to win promotion to the top flight on three occasions – twice as champions and once via the play-offs - during his time with the club, Bergsson also captained the Whites and was forced to postpone his retirement before eventually hanging up his boots in 2003 with Wanderers having secured their safety with a final day victory over Middlesbrough.
Where is he now?
Now a certified lawyer back in Iceland, he also had his own TV show over a decade ago.
Ian Walker
July 2005 – December 2008
A stalwart for Tottenham Hotspur during the 1990s, goalkeeper Ian Walker arrived at the Reebok Stadium in 2005 to provide cover for the club’s undisputed number one shot-stopper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Making the move to Bolton after four seasons with Leicester City, during which time he conceded a freak goal against the Whites in 2004, the former England international settled into life with the Trotters with ease.
Although never making a single league appearance for the club during his three seasons as a Bolton player, he figured on eight occasions across the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup.
Where is he now?
Eventually retiring in the summer of 2008, he tried his hand at management with Bishop’s Stortford before making the move to Shanghai in 2012 where he linked up with former Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka at Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua as their goalkeeping coach.
Zat Knight
July 2009 – June 2014
A former England international, Solihull-born Zat Knight certainly left his mark on Macron Stadium following his departure in the summer of 2014.
On the books of Fulham as a youngster after joining from Rushall Olympic for a fee of 30 tracksuits, he spent eight years at Craven Cottage before arriving at Aston Villa in 2007.
His efforts for the Villans ultimately earned him his move to Wanderers two years later, with the towering centre-half going on to captain the Whites alongside making almost 200 appearances for the club during a five year stint.
Where is he now?
Swapping England for the States last summer, he returned to his homeland earlier this year where he enjoyed a brief stint with Reading before being released by the Royals. He is currently without a club.
Other Bolton No.12s include: Scott Sellers, Dean Holden, Jonathan Walters and Max Clayton