FOOTBALL fans wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Emotion, passion, hysteria and deflation are part and parcel of supporting your team.

Many Ipswich fans have commented that Tuesday's victory against AFC Wimbledon - the late drama and cacophony of noise - was the best for years at Portman Road.

But in complete contrast, it's impossible not to feel sympathy for supporters of tomorrow's opponents, Bolton.

Can you imagine how their fans must be feeling right now?

As you'll know, the Trotters are in administration and welfare concerns regarding the club’s young players (with only three senior players fit) led to the postponement of Tuesday's game against Doncaster.

In addition to the prospect of another points deduction, former Colchester United manager Phil Parkinson and assistant Steve Parkin have now quit the crisis-hit Trotters.

Thankfully, tomorrow's game isn't thought to be in doubt but I genuinely sympathise for their supporters (not to mention those of North-West neighbours Bury).

Their plight makes me think of two things - Town's own period of administration, in the early 2000s, and those famous play-off matches against Sam Allardyce's side.

The administration was devastating and not least, from a fans' perspective, because it prompted the exit of favourites likes captain Matt Holland.

As for those play-off duels, what special - but starkly contrasting - memories.

The '99 version was utterly heartbreaking, crashing to an aggregate defeat despite winning the second leg 4-3 (two goals apiece for Holland and Kieron Dyer).

But what happened 12 months later - Jim Magilton being the unlikely hat-trick hero, Jamie Clapham's cool penalty, Martijn Reuser's extra-time goal and two Bolton players seeing red - provided the ingredients for arguably the best-ever match at Portman Road. Certainly in my 30 years.

I remember speaking to Jim in the tunnel afterwards (at that time we could interview anyone, rather than being allocated one player by the club's media department).

He was giddy, stunned and disbelieving of what had just happened. It was the ultimate 'pinch me' moment.

Great memories and why, back in the current day, it's awful to see such a great and famous club on its knees. I genuinely wish them well - after tomorrow.