WONDERKID Wayne Rooney was the toast of Bolton's football fans on Monday night as he saw England through to the quarter finals of Euro 2004 against Croatia.

A thrilling 4-2 victory saw thousands of dedicated fans cram pubs and clubs across the borough.

Bolton Evening News reporter Leroy Holcroft was in the Varsity in Churchgate where he filed the following report . . .

The Varsity on Churchgate was packed for what was one of the most tense games of the tournament so far.

The bar was awash with red and white, with a huge cheer filling the air as the England squad took to the pitch to the sound of the national anthem.

But the celebrations turned to sullen faces as Croatia's Niko Kovac scored in just the fourth minute after a fierce goalmouth scramble.

A tense half hour followed until Scholes headed home a stray ball just before half-time for the equaliser, much to the crowd's delight.

But it was England's top-scorer Wayne Rooney who made the crowd erupt to claim his third goal of the tournament on the half time whistle.

Musician Paul Ashton, aged 20, from Wisbeck Road, Tonge Fold, said at half time: "So far, it is the most exciting England match of the contest.

"The goals were well deserved and the team seem to be playing better than against Switzerland. I think we will come out on top."

Rooney's fantastic run into Croatian territory saw a spectacular second goal from the teenager, which had England fans shaking the building's foundations.

A Croatian second in the last twenty minutes again brought The Varsity to near silence, but just six minutes later, Frank Lampard's fourth and final goal for England secured the win.

The entire crowd jumped up and down at the final whistle, chanting songs in support of their heroes, as England romped into the quarter final.

Student Beki Dowey, aged 18, from Bardsley Close, Harwood, tipped Wayne Rooney as England's player of the tournament.

She said: "Rooney just goes from strength to strength. He is the youngest on the team, but could certainly be the one to see us go all the way."

"The atmosphere was electric for the whole game and everyone in Bolton has been totally behind England all the way."