FROM Football pros to those who have secured Olympic gold, a lot of sporting talent hails from Bolton.
The town even has its own Spirit of Sport statue which features the names of over 700 athletes who have made their mark on the sporting world.
Here are 10 athletes and sports personalities who were born and raised in Bolton - how many did you know originated from our town?
Nat Lofthouse
Known as the ‘Lion of Vienna’, Nat Lofthouse played hundreds of games for Bolton Wanderers and earned 33 caps for England.
He rose to fame in the 40s and 50s but was signed by Bolton Wanderers at just 15-years-old.
He retired from the game in the 60s but was made president of Bolton Wanderers in 1986.
Mr Lofthouse passed away in 2011.
Alan Ainscow
Alan Ainscow made hundreds of appearances in the football league playing for Blackpool, Everton and Birmingham City (to name a few) during his career.
He made his name as an attacking midfielder.
Sadly, the 67-year-old is currently battling prostate cancer.
Amir Khan
(Instagram/amirkingkhan)
Khan is one of the most recognizable faces in the professional boxing world.
At the 2004 olympics, he won a silver medal in the lightweight boxing division; at just 17, this made him Britain's youngest boxing Olympic medallist.
Even if you don’t recognise Amir for his sporting accolades, you might remember him from his appearance on ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ in 2017.
Bobby Owen
73-year-old former footballer, Bobby Owen, played for Bury and Manchester City among other teams during his career.
During his career, he dominantly played as a striker.
After retiring from football, he managed a bowling club and then became a forklift truck driver.
Francis Lee
Also known as ‘Franny Lee’, this football star played for the Bolton Wanderers and also represented England on the national side on 27 occasions.
At the start of his career, he also made his fortune when he launched Bolton-based paper recycling firm F.H Lee- which once employed local comedian, Peter Kay.
Since retiring as a professional player, he went on to become chairman of Manchester City in 1994 and also began training racehorses.
Tony Knowles
Tony is a former professional snooker player who rose to fame in the 1980s.
He was a three time semi-finalist in the World Professional Snooker championship and fans will remember his legendary match against Steve Davis when he defeated the defending champion by 10–1.
Jason Kenny
Every #RealSmile photo nomination = $1 to @OperationSmile from @Invisalign_UK, I nominate @Philip_hindes #WSD pic.twitter.com/LirbDM1BoD
— Jason Kenny (@JasonKenny107) October 2, 2015
(Twitter/@JasonKenny107)
Farnworth-born Jason Kenny made sporting fame for being a British track cyclist.
He secured three gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bringing his total number of medals to six.
Kenny, who attended Mount St Joseph School in Farnworth, has been awarded an MBE, OBE and CBE for his sporting achievements.
Alan Ball
Ball is a footballer who helped England win the 1966 World Cup.
The former Farnworth Grammar School pupil also managed Manchester City.
After being rejected from the Bolton Wanderers for being too small, he started his career with Blackpool before he was transferred to Everton for £110,000- a record sum at the time.
During his 10 year international career, he collected 72 England caps.
Sadly, he passed away in 2007 after suffering a heart attack.
Ernie Guild
Ernie is a former Paralympian who won a gold medal in shot putt back in 1988.
He went on to represent Great Britain in two other Paralympic games in Barcelona and Atlanta.
Since retiring, her has been heavily involved with disability sports, serving as the vice-chair of WheelPower.
Tom Lancashire
(Instagram/tom_lancs)
Athletics Olympian, Tom Lancashire, represented Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The athlete attended Turnton School in Bromley Cross where he took part in many sports.
He won a 1500m silver medal at the European Junior Championships back in 2003.
Who do you think is the greatest sports star to ever come out of Bolton? Let us know in the comments
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