Emile Heskey loving life at Bolton Wanderers

In December 2014, Emile Heskey returned to England to play for Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet Championship.

After several months out of the game since leaving Australian side Newcastle Jets, Heskey signed a short-term deal with the Trotters, and was delighted to have the opportunity to ply his trade back on home soil.

“I got the call from (Bolton coach) Gary Parker just seeing if I wanted to come down and train and see what it’s like,” Heskey told Sky Bet.

“They’ve got a good bunch of lads here who really welcomed me when I came. I played in an Under-21s game and they decided they wanted me to stay.”

For Heskey, it was a dream start, coming off the bench on Boxing Day to score the equaliser as Bolton came from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1.

“It was a difficult game for us,” he said. “They were a good team and showed some really good football, but we were very resilient and in the end got the win we needed.”

Heskey would go on to make 15 further Championship appearances without finding the net in the second half of the season, but boss Neil Lennon was still full of praise for the impact his former team-mate had at the club.

“He’s been fantastic,” said Lennon “Way beyond what I thought he’d contribute to the team. He’s actually been our best player now for the last couple of months and a great influence around the dressing room.

“He’s not changed a bit. He’s still easy going but when he’s on the pitch he’s an absolute animal. If you ask any defender in the Championship who has come up against him, they’ll tell you he’s been a real handful for them.”

The pair played together for four seasons at Leicester from 1996-2000, winning the League Cup twice under Martin O’Neill. And Heskey believes Lennon was always destined for management.

“Funny thing is you can look at certain players and where they’re going into management and succeed,” said Heskey. “He’s one where you know he’s got the qualities and attributes.

“Obviously we’re on different sides now, the gaffer has to be the serious one and work out how to get the best out of the group, but he’s still pretty much the same.”

Heskey has enjoyed a distinguished 20-year professional career, playing at Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Newcastle Jets, and winning 62 caps for England.

The 37-year-old is not yet ready to hang up his boots, but has started to consider his future when he does retire.

“Everyone says get your badges. It’s a good place to do it here (at Bolton) as well because I’ll also be training. If I do choose to go down that route and get into coaching I’ve got great people who can help me.”