My Mum and Dad were Rugby League fans, and football was never mentioned in our house. I really got into football during the 66 World Cup when I was 9. I pestered my parents to take me to a football match, but they wouldn't, but they agreed to let my older cousin take me to a game as she was a big fan. She was also a Rag, so my first game was watching the Rags at OT.
A few days later our neighbour Joyce called round, and I told her about my visit to the match. ''Hmm'' says Joyce, ''I go to football all the time, would you like to come to a game with me? '' So I did, every home game at Maine Road for the next 3 years, at which point I started to go with some mates.
If you are still around Joyce, and you read this. Thank you. I love you.