I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Old Trafford yesterday, everyone has their Mecca and OT is mine.

OT was a fantastic venue for the game, I drove up in a hired Vauxhall Zafira which was a very comfortable alternative to my Ford Fiesta Zetec; my nephew Kai, my Uncle David and good friend Dave (yes it got confusing) made it to the ‘Park and Ride’ facility at Trafford Centre in good time.

The park and ride transfer from car park to OT consisted of a 1950’s double decker bus which made me feel like I was in an episode of ‘On The Buses’, especially when the driver got lost and went around the one way system several times.  By ‘eck it were ‘ot!

Once we made it into the stadium, the heat fatigue ebbed away and I felt spiritually cleansed as I walked up the steps and saw the epic Theatre of Dreams. I felt my Dad smiling down on me for having returned with my Nephew; miss ya Pa.

When Kai and I last visited it was 2007 and we stuffed Villa in the FA Cup, back then Kai was only tiny and he is now getting a gruff voice of his own and stands up to my shoulders!

Old Trafford eventually greeted lofty Uruguay and plucky United Arab Emirates with a genuine warmth that felt awesome compared to various club and international games that I have attended over the years.

The British love an underdog and the crowd got behind UAE as Uruguay pretentiously strutted around until they were shocked by an early UAE goal following an impressive show of skill that saw them dominate the 1st half.

I loved how the crowd booed Suarez in reaction to the racist remarks that he made to Patrice Evra AND the deliberate handball in the last world cup.  He did not do anything to endear himself to the public; he whinged, cried, potested and play acted to rouse Uruguay who eventually got their act together to win 2-1.

The Team GB game was a little less exciting due to the physical presence of dirty Senegal tackling along with the lack of creativity offered by the home side at times.  That said, it was great to see the Welsh players get the credit they deserved by putting in a shift; Bellamy, Ramsey and my idol, Ryan Giggs.

Giggsy never disappoints me, he rolled back the years to make a world class touch late in the game; 38 years old and forever will be my favourite player of all time.  All you modern fanboys can stick Messi up your arse!

Senegal creeped an equaliser in just as we were off home (we left 5 mins early to beat 73,000 people home!) which is a shame as I thought we deserved a win; our boys were kicked black and blue!

It was a wonderful atmosphere at Old Trafford and a night I shall never forget;  one that epitomised the a genuine air of fair play and respect for all concerned FAR better than FIFA could ever manage with it’s media campaigns and political spin.

Oh, I got the car home without a scratch at 3am.  Am I fucking hardcore or what!?!