PLAYER PROFILE

Kevin Nolan

Position: Midfield

Height: 6'0

Weight: 14st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1982-06-24 Liverpool, England

Kevin Nolan

The first Academy student to make the step into the first team squad, Nolan made his debut at just 17 in the 1999/2000 season.

He established himself in the first team in Bolton's 2000/2001 campaign in the Nationwide League First Division and made an impression with some precocious displays. He got in the goalscorers list on his England U18s debut in November 2000 against Belgium. Throughout the season, he played 25 times for Wanderers and scored his first league goal against Crewe Alexandra in December 2000 as well as a double strike in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe United.

Instead of being just a prospect as he had been tipped to be, Nolan was a major part of Bolton's successful bid to avoid relegation in 2001/02. He made 39 appearances, scoring 8 goals, including two in Wanderers' opening day drubbing of Leicester, and a late equaliser at Anfield, which meant so much to former Liverpool fan Nolan, who had been rejected by the Reds earlier in his career.

Another notable goal came in Bolton's shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford. Nolan's performances in the high-profile games have built up the reputation of one of the Premiership's brightest young stars.

His reputation grew further in the 2002/03 season when he once again performed on the big stage scoring the winner at Theatre of Dreams for the second time running. Although that was his only goal of the season Nolan played an integral part in Bolton's survival making over 30 Barclaycard Premiership appearances.

His impressive performances continued into the following campaign, where his 12 goals helped Bolton achieve their highest ever finish in the Premiership and reach the League Cup final.

Bolton's ascent continued into the 2004/05 season as the Wanderers finished in sixth place, level on 58 points with Champions League winners Liverpool. Nolan proved to be as integral ever to their success as he played 42 games and scored 4 goals, including the winners in games against Birmingham City and Crystal Palace.

After singing a new deal which will keep him at the Reebok Stadium until 2009, he once again proved his tremendous worth in 2005/06 with eleven goals in forty-eight games. This stat increased to five goals in 33 games in 06/07 and he is now a virtually indespensible part of the Bolton squad.