The 'Lion of Vienna' will be remembered for his phenomenal scoring record for England - 30 goals from 33 games - but also as a symbol of a post-war generation of footballers who painstakingly softened their boots with dubbin and went home with the imprint from the lacing in the ball on their foreheads.
In 1953, he was declared English Footballer of the Year. He scored a goal – but was on the losing side – in the famous 1953 FA Cup Final (aka 'The Matthews Final'), having previously scored in each round. That season he topped the First Division goalscoring charts with 30 goals. He featured in the 1954 World Cup side. Lofthouse scored twice against Belgium in a match that ended 4-4. Injured for the next match, in the quarter final game against Uruguay he equalized in the 16th minute, after receiving the ball in the 18 yard box.
Lofthouse was the recipient of various honours after retiring from the game. On 2 December 1989, he was made a Freeman of Bolton. On 1 January 1994, he was appointed an OBE and on 18 January 1997, Bolton named their East Stand at the Reebok Stadium after him.