Melbourne Heart FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton will create his own slice of history this weekend when he rises to fourth spot in the all-time national league appearance list.
Melbourne Heart FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton will create his own slice of history this weekend when he rises to fourth in the all-time national league appearance list.
The four-time championship winner has crafted a storied career within Australian shores, making 445 professional appearances across an 18 year career.
A permanent fixture of the Australian football scene, Bolton has earned four caps for the Socceroos and would have earned more if not for the proliferation of talent within his generation.
Competing with the likes of former Manchester United ‘keeper Mark Bosnich, Fulham-s Mark Schwarzer and ex-AC Milan glovesman Zeljko Kalac, Bolton has faced a glittering array of rivals in the battle for a Socceroos jersey, emphasising Australia-s capacity to produce world class custodians.
With only National Soccer League legends Alex Tobin, Paul Trimboli and Damien Mori sitting above Bolton in the all-time appearance stakes, the 36-year-old admitted he-s humbled by the achievement.
“This is my 18th season. I-m not getting any younger, I-m a dinosaur, one of the last breed from the NSL days. I-m surprised I-m going this long,” Bolton said.
“I know Alex Tobin has around 515 appearances, so I-m a fair way off that, but I-m up there with some big names in Australian football history, it-s a pretty good stat to have.”
Having climbed to the summit of Australian football on four occasions, Bolton is not want for memories or significant achievements, but he struggles to recall a single standout match.
“Obviously the championship wins are the ones that stick out, I-ve got four of them now, so I-m pretty lucky to have been part of a lot of good teams along the way, and when I do call it a day, I can reflect on those times as the best times,” Bolton said.
“There have obviously been other good times along the way, and I-m enjoying life at the Heart now. Each and every game now is one closer to the end if you look at it that way, but I-m still enjoying it, still in the mix, and as long as the body holds up, I-ll keep going.”
