NAT Lofthouse has hung up his boots for the second time in more than 60 years of dedicated service to Bolton Wanderers.

The legendary Lion of Vienna - Bolton's most famous sporting son - has retired from his day to day involvement at the club he graced as a player and served as trainer, coach, manager and scout before playing key roles on the commercial team operations.

Now 77, he will continue in the figurehead position of club president and will remain a respected and celebrated figure at the Reebok.

Wanderers' chief executive Allan Duckworth paid tribute to the man who achieved his boyhood dream of playing for the Wanderers before going on to become its most celebrated player - one of England's greatest centre-forwards.

"Nat's an absolute legend," he said, "and will be for many years to come. He has given Bolton Wanderers 60 years of magnificent service as a player, manager and in later years as a great help on the commercial side of the business.

"He is a fantastic character and has helped the club in so many ways for many years. At almost 78 he has reached the point where he needs to relinquish the remaining day to day activities he has been undertaking recently but we are pleased to say he will stay on as life president. We are still very proud of him."

Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside said: "He has given remarkable service to Bolton and it is unique in any era that such a legendary figure in the game can give 60 years' service. It shows the loyalty he has for his home town and the people who have worshipped him.

Nat's performance for England in a 3-2 victory in Austria in 1952 earned him his "Lion of Vienna" nickname, acknowledging his status as one of the most feared number nines in international football.

He was voted Footballer of the year in 1953 but the highlight of his club career came in 1958 when, having been on the losing side five years earlier, he led Wanderers to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United to lift the FA Cup, captaining the side and scoring both goals.

Having joined the Burnden Park groundstaff on September 4, 1939, he was forced to retire from playing in December 1960 after a succession of injury problems.

After a variety of roles on the backroom staff, including three spells as manager, he became club president in 1986, was made a Freeman of Bolton three years later and received the OBE in the 1994 New Year's Honours List.

Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside said: "He has given remarkable service to Bolton and it is unique in any era that such a legendary figure in the game can give 60 years' service. It shows the loyalty he has for his home town and the people who have worshipped him.

"Nat will continue to attend matches and be an ambassador for the football club for many years to come."