My Dad used to drag me down in the 60's when I was knee high - can't remember much about those days apart from rolling down the grass bank at the chequers end. We moved away, first to Scotland and then back down to Cheadle. During the late 70's I followed Liverpool (mainly to annoy my Utd supporting Brother). My dad took me to see a Alty vs Liverpool XI freindly (78/79?), Then a few months later, the seeds being sowed, I caught the 371 bus on my own to watch Alty Vs Bangor City. I was amazed at the football and the characters - Kingy, JR, JJ, Barry Howard - but more importantly felt that I mattered to the club, rather than being a speck in a 40,000 crowd. Alty gave me an identity as a teenager, I was the Alty fan in my school.
But what a time to start my official career as an Alty fan. Months later we were playing Spurs in the cup, then into the Aliance Prem and more cup runs and two championships. When I look back at those days I can't belive we actually lost a few games. I couldn't get to many away games but was so hooked that I would save up by dinner money and on occasion walked from Cheadle to Alty and back.
Its not all been down hill since then. There is a lot to be proud about today- staying in the BSP and doing it in the right way (off the field), there is something special about Alty, not just the history, look at the amount of former players who still come back to watch - once Alty is in your blood, you're hooked for life