THE 11 longest serving players in the history of Bolton Wanderers were honoured on Saturday August 24 as the first members of the club's Hall of Fame.
Eddie Hopkinson, holder of Wanderers' all-time appearance record, headed a distinguished cast list in a celebration to mark the club's 125th anniversary.
Joining the former England keeper on the roll of honour are fellow members of the 1958 FA Cup winning side - Nat Lofthouse, Bryan Edwards, Roy Hartle and Dougie Holden - stars of the 1923 triumph when Wanderers won the first FA Cup Final held at Wembley - Joe Smith, Ted Vizard and Alex Finney - and favourites from the 60s and 70s - Warwick Rimmer, Roy Greaves and Paul Jones.
The Hall Of Fame was being launched at the Premiership game against Charlton with a parade of the stars from the modern era along with relatives of the heroes of the Twenties.
The criteria by which the first 11 players were selected was a minimum 450 first class appearances for the club. Future members will be chosen on their merits.
Their individual contributions to the club's successes down the years will be acknowledged in permanent displays in the Hall Of Fame Suite in the Nat Lofthouse Stand.
Wanderers' chairman, Phil Gartside said: "This is our way of recognising the achievements of the great Wanderers' players who served the club down the years. We are very proud of our history and what we have accomplished throughout our 125 years as a football club."
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