Kevin Nolan

Kevin Nolan (born June 24 1982 in Liverpool) is a former England Under-21 international Football (soccer) who currently captains Bolton Wanderers F.C. of the FA Premier League.

Career

Nolan was brought up in a football playing family, and wanted to be a footballer from a young age. By the age of 14, he was playing for the City of Liverpool's schoolboys team. As a child, he supported Liverpool F.C., although, conversely, his favourite players were Éric Cantona and Lee Sharpe of Liverpool's rivals, Manchester United F.C..

He was asked to come to a Bolton youth team session by a friend, and was soon signed up to the club's books. At the age of 16 he was handed a year-to-year contract, co-inciding with the opening of Bolton's academy. At the age of 17 he signed professional terms and made his first team debut.

In his first season in the Premiership (2001-02 in English football), Nolan scored 8 goals in the league including 2 at Leicester City F.C. on the opening day of the season. The following season Nolan's only goal was the winner at Old Trafford (football ground) in the game which Bolton recorded their second shock win at the ground. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been seen scouting Nolan. In his third season he amassed a total of 12 goals as Bolton had their best season for 45 years.

Kevin Nolan has previously been called-up to the England national under-21 football team, but also has Irish ethnicity ancestry, so could also play for the Republic of Ireland national football team at the full international level. Some commentators have acknowledged that Nolan could be a future candidate for the England squad. There were reports in a local paper, The Bolton News, that he could play for Holland, due to distant Dutch ancestry.

Personal life

Nolan has been in a relationship for the last nine years. He became engaged in the summer of 2005. He and his fiancee welcomed a daughter, Jasmine Elizabeth, in November 2006.

Nolan grew up in Toxteth, Liverpool and was educated at the Liverpool Blue Coat School.