April 72. City 3 West Ham 1. Two from the genius that was Rodney Marsh. Even to a child it was clear he had something special. he became an instant hero and that was me hooked. The good thing was I lived on Thornton Road, a minute from the main entrance. I spent every holiday outside the ground playing football against the big, exit gates and waiting for the players to come out. Sometimes they had a brief kickabout with us. Big Joe was a tough opponent! I became a season ticket holder from the next season on the end of the long Maroon benches in the Platt Lane right behind the goal, easy access to the aisle where I could try to chase any wayward shots that came anywhere near. Great times and we never lost once, did we?