Ayah knew my interest in football because I used to hog the idiot box whenever a football match was on, be they delayed, live matches or weekly round-ups and the passion was translated into action on the pitch in front of our house. That was also the year Ayah and Mak bought me the book European Cup, 1955-1980, a great hardcover co-authored by John Rowlinson and the No 1 TV commentator, John Motson.
When Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Azalina Othman Said and Khairy Jamaluddin said their piece in wanting ManYoo to come for the 2007 trip that clashed with AFC's showpiece event, the Asian Cup, I chose to highlight the fact the Government had given their word not to promote any event during that period. There was a contract that needed to be honoured and I stood by this principle in going against the current. Naturally many labelled me as an AFC lackey. Azalina's legal background did not help her much then. Khairy was of course being biased because he's a United fan and I was told he had planned to host a dinner reception for the stellar cast from Old Trafford.
For ManYoo's fourth trip to Malaysia since 1981, I intend to buy the cheapest ticket and sit down quietly at one corner and savour the moment. Or perhaps FAM can issue a pass for me?