SOCIAL media has, in countless cases, been behind many a public figure’s downfall.

Be they sports star or rock star, actor or politician, the revealing of one’s innermost thoughts in the public forums of Twitter, Facebook or – for older readers – Bebo or MySpace can lead to a world of abuse from online trolls.

But, while many a famous face has sworn off posting in the public domain, or at least got wise to what they should and shouldn’t offer up for scrutiny, Adam Le Fondre relishes the interaction such platforms make possible.

The popular striker, whose January return to the Macron warmed Whites’ hearts and pumped fresh impetus into Phil Parkinson’s promotion-chasing squad, has always been happy to chat with the Boltonians who once sang his name, even after his first spell ended in the summer of 2015.

And now the Cardiff man has returned, via loan spells with Wolves and Wigan Athletic he looks back on with tinges of disappointment, he can expect the goodwill messages to start piling up.

“I have always kept up a relationship with them [the supporters] on Twitter because they showed me nothing but love when I was here last time – and I always try to respond to as many of them as I can,” he said.

“Twitter is a gateway into our lives, and as professional footballers it’s up to us how we deal with their frustrations or praise.

“It’s been really nice to see a lot of fans, especially the little kids, with my name on the back of their shirts.

“As a players it’s one of the nicest feelings you can have – to be adored – and you just want to leave a good standing at each and every club you have graced.”

He definitely did that at Bolton, having averaged around a goal every two games in the second half of the 2014/15 Championship season.

And the supporters are delighted to be welcoming back a player who rejected opportunities to remain a Championship player, not to mention waiving money owed to him from his Wigan spell, to make a deadline-day return to the club he says helped him revitalise his career.

“I just wanted to come here, score goals and be loved by this football club,” he told The Bolton News.

“Last time I was here I said from the off that I would be top scorer come the end of the season and I did just that, so of course that’s what I want again.

“To do that I will have to get into double figures and if I manage to do that, I’ll have done something right.

“I am confident my football will take care of itself.”

The striker, now aged 30, has regularly been among the goals since he began his career as a trainee at Stockport County, since when three R’s – Rochdale, Rotherham.and Reading – have benefited from his eye for goal.

His leanest spells have come in more recent times, something Le Fondre is also thankful for, as he has now developed sufficiently thick skin and a maturity to cope with the game’s troughs as well as its peaks.

“I have been quite fortunate in that the only spell in my career where I have had hardships has been during the last 18 months, whereas I know a lot of the lads have suffered through their entire career in the game,” he said.

“I’m kind of glad it has come later in my career, though, because you don’t know how you would have acted as a youngster.

“Now I am older and thicker-skinned. I know there is a bigger pool to reinvent myself, which I plan on doing.

“Touch wood, my spell here at Bolton will be better than the last one. It might take a little bit of time to get myself up to speed and match fitness but as soon as I’m there, I’d like to think the goals will flow.”