Ahead of Bolton's much-anticipated second-leg in Madrid this evening, FFC columnist Vinny Banks analyses Bolton's rise to the Premiership and beyond, and reviews the thoughts of Phoenix Nights star and lifelong Bolton fan, Dave Spikey, who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast on the Bolton Podcast.

Looking over the past few years in the Premiership, Wanderers fans will be delighted with the club's progress, but did Bolton reach their pinnacle to which they will not return?

For me, yes, and as many would agree, it was down to Sam Allardyce that they managed to tackle the country's finest and find themselves in the euphoria of European football. Sam brought in players that had proved themselves on the continent. A few names spring to mind like Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Ivan Campo, and along with his bustling, direct, hard-to-beat tactics, Sam transformed his troops from relegation contenders into UEFA Cup challengers.

Much of Bolton's downfall in my eyes is due to his departure. The Toon army stepped in and prized Sam away from a place where he captured so many hearts and put belief back into a Lancashire club desperate to prove themselves in Europe's finest league, season after season.

Sam proved a theory that if you give a manager time, they will bring success. Correct, he didn't win major trophies, but he took his team to a League Cup final, marched them into Europe and pulled off some inspiring and surprising victories along the roller coaster ride that he will never forget.

How far could Bolton have gone if ‘Big Sam' had stayed? Could they have eventually challenged the top four? Maybe, after a few years, yes, but I believe the pinnacle was reached and the time was right for Sam to leave.

Along with Sam's departure, prized asset Nicolas Anelka headed to London in January, a move south that would see the Frenchman team him up with world greats in a star-studded outfit. With the natural goalscorer that Nicolas is now out of the equation at the Reebok, Bolton are finding goals hard to come by, and boss Gary Megson has one of the hardest jobs in football in replicating the achievements of Sam Allardyce's Bolton tenure.

Is this a reality check then for Bolton? Back where they belong perhaps? Lifelong Wanderers fan and star of Phoenix Nights Dave Spikey thinks not, and is confident that the ‘white army' will secure their Premiership status for at least another season. In his exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dave re-lives his favourite moments as a Bolton fan, speaks about ‘Big Sam', the ‘Ginger Mourinho' and Burnden Park; as well as Bolton's European achievements.

Despite Atletico Madrid's attempts to disrupt the Wanderers' trip to Spain, the three thousand plus Bolton fans in Madrid this evening will be hoping that the latest ‘white invasion' is another success story. The glory days with Sam at the helm may be long gone, and flirting with the top four is a privilege the Wanderers can no longer boast, but their European exploits are achievements that they should be proud of.

Win or lose this evening, listening to Dave Spikey talk about his Bolton roots, his favourite terrace song, as well as the likes of John McGinlay and Mixu Paatelainen, is an absolute must for Wanderers fans.

Dave's light-hearted take on life and all-things Wanderers provides the perfect pre-match tonic.

Dave is currently embarking on his latest nationwide tour entitled "The Best Medicine", which runs until the third week in May. For further details on Dave's latest tour and for more information on the Boltonian himself, visit www.davespikey.co.uk

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