10 Former Players Bolton Wanderers Could Do With Now
5. Kevin Nolan
Its been nearly six years since Kevin Nolan departed the Reebok Stadium, but there must have been a time when the former Bolton captain thought he would never leave the club. He had been with Bolton for twelve years, and had been a first-team regular since breaking through as an 18 year old during the 00/01 season. By the time he was 26 years of age, he had already played 345 times for the club and scored 50 goals, and had assumed the captains armband from Jay-Jay Okocha at the age of 23. Which is why it was all the more shocking when he finally departed for Premier League strugglers Newcastle United in January 2009, and possibly quite satisfying for Bolton supporters when they subsequently got relegated four months later. Former Bolton boss Gary Megson has admitted that he tried to immediately correct his error in the summer, as he didnt particularly want him to go in the first place. Newcastle refused to loan Nolan back to the club, and he went on to score 17 goals as the Tyneside outfit stormed to the Championship title. Now back playing as a captain for Sam Allardyce yet again, this time in claret of blue of West Ham, the 32 year old is showing signs that the pace of the Premier League might just be getting a little much for him. He has scored 60 goals since leaving Bolton, but has failed to register a single strike so far this campaign. Perhaps a return to the Reebok Stadium sometime in the near future wouldnt be so far-fetched?
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
