Every club needs a mascot in modern day football, in recent times mascots can be considered as important as a club badge as part of a clubs identity and Bolton have had one of the longest serving mascots in the Football League and Premier League. Named after club legend Nat Lofthouse, he stands at the same height as Peter Crouch (near enough) and is a very popular figure amongst many of the Bolton Junior Whites contingent.

Walking Down the Manny Road - Bolton Wanderers Podcast Walking Down the Manny Road - Bolton Wanderers Podcast

The defender also recalls the pain he felt at being on the receiving end of criticism from supporters, and explains how he had wanted to remain with Wanderers only to be left on the scrapheap by Neil Lennon. Matt Mills gives an honest and insightful look into his time at Bolton - telling the story of how he went from outcast to club captain under Dougie Freedman (twice). The Wanderers favourite reveals just how much he had wanted to remain at the club under Neil Lennon, how Phil Parkinson wasted the opportunity to pair him with Zach Clough, as well as why beating Nottingham Forest to remain in the Championship ranks as a career highlight.

Craig Davies compares the managerial styles of Dougie Freedman and Neil Lennon at length, suggesting he took matters into his own hands after misguided advice on persistent injury problems left him frustrated and constantly feeling the need to prove himself. A favourite with the crowd due to his Elvis Presley impressions, Lofty also stands on the touchline during each game trying to drum up support from the Reebok Stadium faitful who often in turn get him flexing his muscles. Of course these claims had no substance to them and in the same year he was voted as the best mascot in the Nationwide League by far. Adam Le Fondre joins us from his new home in India to discuss the ups and downs of his three separate spells at Bolton. We also ask the former Bolton goalkeeper what it was like to work alongside a young Jussi Jaaskelainen, as well as how it felt coming up against Wanderers whilst on loan at Ipswich Town in 1999 - a Play-Off tie remembered for all the wrong reasons.

GUDNI BERGSSON | Walking Down the Manny Road - Episode 6

Liverpool goalkeeper Andy Lonergan reveals all on his surprising 2019 move to Anfield, how a sudden influx of winners' medals has given him an appetite for further success, as well as which former Bolton players have joked about having an eye on management - with him joining in a coaching capacity - once their playing days have ended. The club has their own line of Lofty the Lion merchandise on sale and in the 2007-2008 season they produced a comic for younger fans in their official programme called Lofty's Adventures written by Katherine Bibby and illustrated by Daniel Smyth. Keith Branagan drops in on the podcast to discuss THAT penalty save in the 1995 Division One Play-Off Final against Reading and how the very mention of the topic used to annoy him. The legendary former captain also reflects on the highs and lows of big occasions at Wembley and the Millennium Stadium, as well as explaining why he put off retirement for three consecutive years before finally hanging up his boots in 2003.Le Fondre also gives an insight into the new Le Fondre - second cousin Kian - who is on the cusp of forging a professional career of his own with the Trotters. Lofty the Lion is the official mascot of Bolton Wanderers Football Club. He first burst onto the scene in the 1995-1996 season when the Trotters first made their way into the Premiership and has remained at the club ever since. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ In 1997 he caused a national up-roaaaar when Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters claimed he incited them during a Division 1 game between the two sides at Burnden Park.