Not many people can say they have played for Manchester United's first team. For those that have, it is something they should be immensely proud of.
Coming through the ranks in the 1980s must have been ridiculously tough. The School of Hard Knocks does not even come close to the experience and it was the harshest of environments for those striving to make a career in the game, with stardust in their eyes.
Alan Tonge was one of the youngsters I remember from seeing his name in the yearbooks and being aware of him as an up-and-coming prospect with the Reds.