Wanderers' countdown to the new campaign enters single figures as we look towards the club's season opener at home to Sheffield United a week on Saturday
As we enter single figures in terms of days to go until the start of the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One season, bwfc.co.uk's countdown series continues with number nine taking the spotlight today.
Legendary No.9 – Nat Lofthouse
1939-1960
The ultimate professional, the late Nat Lofthouse came up through the ranks at Bolton and played his entire club career for his hometown club, scoring 255 goals in 452 league appearances.
Winning the FA Cup with Wanderers in 1958, Lofthouse sadly passed away in January 2011 but is still held in the highest regard by everybody associated with the club, with a statue even dedicated to his achievements standing at the front of Macron Stadium.
Bolton born and bred, there was nobody inside Wembley Stadium on that memorable day back in May 1958 with a bigger smile on their face than him.
With the Whites pitting their wits against a Manchester United side still recovering from the Munich Air Disaster, Lofthouse put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Red Devils, scoring twice past Harry Gregg to secure Wanderers the FA Cup for the fourth time in their history.
A true gentleman and an irreplaceable presence both on and off the pitch, Lofthouse has often been referred to as the club’s best ever player.
Mixu Paatelainen
July 1994 – August 1997
Born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, Paatelainen started his professional career in his homeland before moving to his Dundee United, spending seven years north of the border with both United and Aberdeen before making the switch to Bolton in 1994.
Helping the club win promotion twice during his three years at Burnden Park – scoring in the 1995 Play-Off Final victory over Reading - the striker linked up with Wolves briefly in 1997 before two stints back in Scotland with Hibernian with a spell at RC Strasbourg sandwiched in-between.
Winding down his playing days with St. Johnstone, St. Mirren and Cowdenbeath, he moved into management with the latter in 2005 and has since gone on to hold the reins at TPS, Hibernian, Kilmarnock and more recently the Finnish national team.
Where is he now?
The Finn was last in management with his first club in Britain, Dundee United. He was relieved of his duties there earlier this year however after they were relegated.
Henrik Pedersen
July 2001 – August 2007
A man who played for just three different clubs during a career spanning 17 years, Denmark international Pedersen is still held in high regard around these parts for his efforts in the white of Wanderers.
A crucial figure for Silkeborg IF in his homeland in the late nineties and early noughties, he moved to the Reebok Stadium in the summer of 2001 and although never became famed for his goals, the striker certainly made headlines during his time with the Trotters.
Notably for his unique peacock style celebration, his ability to fill in at left back earned him plaudits from the club’s supporters and resulted in one of his more memorable goals for the Whites – a bicycle kick lob from the corner flag against Newcastle United.
Remaining at BL6 until the summer of 2007, he went on to enjoy a brief spell with Hull City, then heading back to Denmark and his first club Silkeborg before retiring three years ago.
Where is he now?
Now back in his native land, he runs his own pub.
Tuncay Sanli
August 2011 – May 2012
Turkish international Tuncay boasts a plethora of clubs in his back catalogue including a brief stint with Wanderers.
Initially on the books of Sakaryaspor and then Fenerbahce, his efforts for the Süper Lig outfit earned him his first move to England with Middlesbrough attaining his services on a free transfer in the summer of 2007.
A two year stint with Stoke City followed in 2009, with the frontman moving to Germany with VfL Wolfsburg, although he only made a handful appearances for the club before moving to Wanderers on a season long loan in 2011/12.
A full international for the homeland, he returned to Turkey following the conclusion of his loan with Bursaspor his next port of call ahead of a move to Qatari based outfit Umm Salal last summer.
Where is he now?
Tuncay was last on the books of Indian side Pune City with whom he signed for last year.
Other Bolton No.9s include: Nathan Blake, Heidar Helguson, Johan Elmander, David Ngog, Joe Mason and Adam Le Fondre