When Mick Thorne assumed the reins of Manchester United's Oxford & Banbury supporters’ club in 1976, he could scarcely have imagined that both he and the branch would still be in situ almost half a century later.
But last month, Mick and 20 diehard Reds were invited pitchside, ahead of our Premier League game with Arsenal, to mark Oxford & Banbury’s 50th anniversary.
Incredibly, one of the party, Mick's younger brother Brian, has not missed a United home game since 1972!
“From ’76, when I took over, we’ve taken at least one coach to every home game and my younger brother has been on every one,” marvels Mick.