Ipswich Town in the Full Members Cup, I finally persuaded my dad that I was old enough to sit through a full match. As a 7 year old, I instantly loved the Kippax, the clunking turnstiles, the stench of the outside loos, the ‘no alcohol past this point’ signs over the tunnel, the mystery of the abandoned staircases at the back (post-Hysel), the naughty words being shouted by men rolling up cigarettes, I was bamboozled by the whole experience, but I had no real idea what was going on during the game. I spent part of the second half cheering on Mick McCarthy, to whom I took an instant liking for some reason. I don’t remember much else but I do remember feeling the electricity around me when Varadi scored our second goal. We still lost 2-3, but I was hooked.

My dad took me to a few games after that, most of which were pretty awful, but it was him leaving me at home for the 10-1 the following season that really got me buzzing. Dad took me every week during our promotion season, and I’ll never forget the Bournemouth 3-3 and being sat anxiously watching the vidiprinter and the news that we’d clinched promotion at Valley Parade.

Dad bought me a season ticket for my first season in the top flight, and it was 21 years before I missed another home game after that.