Coincidence or not, Brian Horton suggests meeting at The Kenilworth, his local in an area just south of Manchester that has been home for 30 years. The landlord comes over for a chat, punters make a point of saying hello.
After nearly two years as the devil-may-care Manchester City manager appointed in 1993, he is fondly thought of around here. He does the supporter branch meets across the north, regaling tales of how Franny Lee attempted to sign Luis Figo. He is often at the Etihad watching from the chairman's lounge.
But he also happens to have been the opposition captain on one of City's darkest days, when Horton's Luton Town sent City down in a relegation shootout on the final day of the 1982-83 season.