Reporter Liam Thorp hopped on board a supporters' coach to Saturday evening's game and was overwhelmed with the sense of pride from fans who saw their side draw 0-0 against the Premier League giants.

HOARDS of cheering Wanderers fans piled out of Anfield on Saturday after witnessing a brave, battling performance in their FA Cup 4th round clash with Liverpool.

The Whites may not have quite equalled the thrilling victory achieved by the “White Hot” heroes on the same pitch in 1993, but in holding Liverpool to a scoreless draw, they not only earned a very valuable replay at the Macron, but they did their passionate travelling support proud.

More than 5,500 members of the White army crammed into the Anfield Road end and overpowered the home fans throughout with constant singing that pushed their team on till the end.

Supporters had first started to gather at the Macron before midday with the Fanzone open offering food, drinks and re-runs of that day 22 years ago when goals from Walker and McGinlay sent the Trotters fans into dreamland.

One man who remembers that day well is Sheldon Brandwood, aged 64 who was heading to Anfield with his 12-year-old grandson Liam.

Mr Brandwood, who is a milkman and delivers milk to the Macron, said: “I remember that day very well and it is lovely to be able to come to Anfield again with my grandson who is a big Bolton fan.”

The club laid on 61 free coaches to transport the White army to Anfield and back, a major operation that was marshalled expertly by club promotions manager Andrew Dean and his staff.

He said: “There is nothing better than taking more than five thousand fans to Anfield and it just shows what great supporters we have at this club.

“There are lots of families, older people and young kids who are all out in force and I have to thank my staff for getting them all there because they do a fantastic job.”

Paul Fairbanks, who lives in Darwen, said: “It was a great day and a fantastic team performance from Bolton. The lads worked their socks off.

“The support today was outstanding, even when it was a bit like the Alamo at the end as they were camped in our goal, the Bolton fans raised the ante and drowned out the Liverpool crowd to cheer the lads home.”

His friend Scott Bracey, aged 40, from Breightmet agreed, adding: “It was fantastic to see the team all roll their sleeves up today and I even thought we might have nicked it, but I am very happy to take them back to the Macron.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable in the Anfield Road end. The fans all did the team proud and were singing from the first minute until the last.”

Both men agreed that Neil Lennon’s team have every chance of going one better when they invite the Merseyside outfit back to Bolton for the replay.

Mr Fairbanks added: “There will be a rocking atmosphere at the Macron and Liverpool won’t fancy it at all.”