A 500-mile round trip separates the two towns but recent history has ensured games between Bolton and Ipswich have never lacked passion.

Wanderers have not won a league game against the Tractor Boys since Fredi Bobic scored a hat-trick in 2002 to help Sam Allardyce’s side take a massive step towards survival.

A cup win in 2005 came courtesy of three goals in eight minutes from Stelios and Henrik Pedersen (2) but since then nine meetings have yielded just three draws and six defeats.

Frank Worthington’s famous goal in 1979 at Burnden Park came against Ipswich - who actually won the game that day, 3-2.

“I scored two of the best goals of my career that day,” remarked Scottish striker Alan Brazil, “but no-one ever remembers them because of how good Frank’s goal was.”

Voted goal of the season by ‘On The Ball’ - it was one of 24 the swaggering striker scored that season to finish top scorer in the First Division.

Unfortunately, a different name crops up these days when Bolton and Ipswich are mentioned in the same sentence. Orpington referee Barry Knight.

Reviled in these parts for his performance in the 2000 play-off semi-final second-leg defeat at Portman Road, Knight awarded Ipswich three penalties, gave two red and 12 yellow cards to Bolton while the home side did not receive any.