TRIBUTES have poured in for Kevin Davies after he brought down the curtain on a 10-year playing career with Wanderers.

Team-mates past and present have passed on their messages of support to The Bolton News for the striker, who said an emotional goodbye to Whites fans after the final whistle on Saturday.

Davies was in tears walking around the pitch, accompanied by his children, following the 2-2 draw with Blackpool that was ultimately not enough to get the club into the play-offs.

In total, the ex-England international turned out 407 times for the club, scoring 84 goals, and served as captain from January 2009 after taking over from Kevin Nolan.

SAM RICKETTS, who has played alongside Davies for four seasons, outlined his importance to the dressing room over the last few years.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play with the skipper for the last four years, and he’s a good guy,” he said. “You come across a lot of different types of people in football, but he is definitely one of the genuinely good ones.

“He’s someone you rely on and can go and speak to, if need be, and he’s led the side for many years.”

GARY CAHILL, the ex-Wanderers defender who also joined Davies in the England squad on the night he won his solitary international cap against Montenegro, was equally effusive in his praise.

“Kevin has been a great influence on my career,” said the defender, who moved to Chelsea in January 2012 and won the Champions League.

“Not only is he a great guy and a friend, but as a captain and an experienced pro he’s given me advice that helped me progress.

“He’s a great example to young players coming through the system of what you can achieve if you work hard at your profession. It was an honour to play with him – both for Bolton and for England – and I wish him all the very best.”

HENRIK PEDERSEN, who played for Wanderers between 2001 and 2007, was also sad to hear his former team-mate was bowing out at the Reebok.

“I have only great things to say about him,” he said. “He is a true professional, dedicated to the club and it was a pleasure to play alongside him.

“He was always hard working – a pain and a struggle for every defence. And on the personal side, he was always ready for a good laugh and a joke, a warm and friendly friend.”

STELIOS GIANNAKOPOULOS – one of the heroes of the two European campaigns – described how important Davies had been to the team as they established themselves as a force in the Premier League under Sam Allardyce.

“He would sacrifice himself on the pitch and his work-rate was amazing,” he said. “Everything went off him. He was the main guy.

“We as players actually had to ask him to stop working so hard – we thought he was going to get an injury – but he carried on giving 100 per cent. That is why I think he will continue playing for a little while yet.

“It is sad that this chapter of his career has closed. It is difficult to think about Bolton without Kevin being there.

“But I think this could be a good thing for him. Maybe it is the right time to go and try something else, to have a new challenge.”

Other names from the football world have also added their support – with STEVE HARPER, himself set to leave Newcastle United after an incredible 19 years at the club, claiming Wanderers could regret their decision to let Davies go.

“Kevin is a player who goalkeepers don’t look forward to playing against,” he said. “He’s a strong, physical old-fashioned centre forward who was very competitive and always very keen to let you know he was going to make it tough for you with his physical presence.

“He’s been a fantastic servant to Bolton who I’m sure will regret letting him leave when he has a lot more still to offer.”

And DAVID HEALY, the ex-Manchester United striker who is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Northern Ireland, also said: “Kevin is a fantastic role model for many young players.

“He’s not only been at Bolton but been their captain for many years now and his experience on and off the pitch has given the club a lot of success.

“He’s scored many vital goals but created many more for other players, who must have loved having Kevin in their team.

“He’s a real handful who never gave less than 100 per cent every time he played.

“He also had the honour of playing for his country – and I think he should have got many more caps for England!”

***** Former Whites full-back PAUL ROBINSON, now at Birmingham City, has been disappointed at the way the football club has handled Davies’ contract situation.

The striker was told officially that he would not be handed a new deal on March 26, his birthday, prompting an uncertain and often stormy few weeks of headlines on the issue. “I had three great years playing alongside Davo,” Robinson said.

“He’s a great leader, fantastic bloke and always there to help if you had a problem.

“But I’m shocked by the way he has been treated because he is Mr Bolton and a top professional who cares about his job. I wish him all the very best for the future.”

***** CHRIS Eagles believes Wanderers will have a difficult job on their hands to replace Kevin Davies – both as a player and a figurehead.

As the former England international leaves the Reebok, one of his closest allies in the Whites camp reckons his character will be missed considerably.

“To play with him has been an absolute dream,” said Eagles, who joined the club in the summer of 2011 from Burnley. “I watched him when I was younger and maybe didn’t realise just how good he was.

“He’s been one of my closest friends here and we’ll always be friends. He’s a great man and what he’s done for Bolton – you won’t come across that very often. He’s a legend.”

Davies was one of the first players to offer public backing to Eagles at the start of the year during a highly-publicised drop in form.

“He knows I give 100 per cent and he’s the type of person who has always backed me.” Eagles acknowledged. “For me to play alongside him has been very special, and he knows that. He’s always said it was an honour to play with me too – and there aren’t many who have said that. He knows me as a person and will stick up for what he knows is right.

“Whatever happens in the future, he’s a legend in my eyes.”

***** WHILE the decision on who will take over the captain’s armband from Kevin Davies has yet to be decided, the man who has led from the back in the last few weeks has nothing but respect for the job the long-serving striker did at the Reebok.

Zat Knight may well be the man Dougie Freedman turns to this summer as he looks to install a new skipper.

The big centre-half was asked to fill the role until the end of the season, but played down suggestions he was next in line for the post.

Knight did, however, praise Davies for his work with the club on and off the pitch in a decade at the Reebok.

“I have been here four seasons now and he has been fantastic,” the defender said.

“He is one you can rely on. He is going to be a massive loss as a team-mate and as an individual.

“He is a big character, he might look quiet, but he leads by example.

“If I do get the captaincy and then take a little bit from what he has done on the pitch, I will be very pleased with myself.

“He is going to be a massive loss and whoever he goes to will have a massive gain.”