FEW players in the history of Bolton Wanderers have appreciated the club's supporters more than Nat Lofthouse.

Bolton's most famous footballing son was a fan himself before he became the idol of a generation and knows as well as anyone the benefit of a loyal and ethusiastic crowd.

"I know the fans will be feeling the pressure just as much as the players," says the Wanderers' president, who has given a lifetime's service to the game as a one-club man.

"But they are part of it too and that's why they'll give the team all the backing they need."

The legendary Lion of Vienna, who captained the club to FA Cup glory in 1958, is confident Wanderers can beat the drop, even if it comes down to a grandstand finish.

"My life's been all about BWFC and I don't care what the game is - a Premiership match or a friendly - I'm desperate for them to win. They'll always have my support," he says, adding his voice to the BEN's "Keep The Whites Up" campaign.

"But I'm especially confident at the moment because I think we have a good manager, who has done a great job with hardly any money to spend, and a good team.

"I don't care if they finish fourth from the bottom - just as long as they stay up because they deserve to."