Joe Bolton

Middlesbrough In 1981 Bolton was signed by Sunderland's North East rivals Middlesbrough for £200,000. In two seasons, he made 59 appearances, scoring a solitary goal.

Sheffield United Bolton signed for Sheffield United on a free transfer in August 1983, brought to the club by his former Sunderland teammate Ian Porterfield who was now manager at Bramall Lane. Viewed as a solid, no-nonsense defender during his time at the club, he helped United to promotion as they finished third in Division Three in his first season. After making 130 appearances for the club in three years injuries began to take their toll and he was released in May 1986.

Post professional career After an unsuccessful trial with Rotherham United Bolton dropped into non-league and spent a season and a half playing for Matlock Town before finally retiring and taking a job as a lorry driver.

In popular culture Bolton was mentioned on the back of The Housemartins' single, 'Happy Hour', which described the band as having "more striking power than Lineker, Platini and Joe Bolton all rolled together into a great big cuddly ball."

Honours Sunderland Division Two: Champions 1976

Sheffield United Division Three: Third (promoted) 1984