Francisco Estêvão Bolota was born on April 20, 1946, in Alcochete in Portugal. Known as “Chico” he started his career with local club Alcochetense.
In 1966 Chico joined Barreirense. He spent the 1970-71 season with Club Desportivo de Montijo. From 1971 until 1976 he played for Uniao Tomar.
Chico joined Club Desportivo de Montijo before the 1976-77 season. Despite scoring twelve goals in the Portuguese First Division, Chico couldn’t help to save Montijo from being relegated to the Second Division.
In 1977 he went to Canada to play for Toronto Italia. Chico was among the leading goalscorers in the National Soccer League all the way through the 1977 season, this included three goals in Italia’s 3-2 win over Hamilton Italo-Canadians on August 17, 1977. Chico is said to have scored 27 goals in 15 games for Toronto Italia during the 1977 NSL season.
He returned to Portugal for the 1977-1978 season, and scored nine goals for Desportivo Montijo in the Portuguese Second Division. During the the winter North American Soccer League club Rochester Lancers started to show an interest in obtaining his playing rights. He was bought by the Lancers in March 1978.
The 6-1 and 180 lbs forward was Rochester Lancers’ leading goalscorer in the 1978 NASL season. In total Chico had 12 goals and 3 assists in 28 league games, giving him a total of 27 points. He scored three game-winning goals.
After spending the winter of 1978-79 season with old club Club Desportivo de Montijo, he joined First Portuguese in Toronto. The First Portuguese assembled a very strong team for the 1979 National Soccer League season. Chico was one of the instrumental players in helping F. P. C. C. win the 1979 National Soccer League championship.
Then followed five season in Portugal with Juvendud Evora and Uniao Tomar. He returned to Canada in 1985 and played out his career with his old love the First Portuguese club in Toronto through the late 1980’s.