‘Armchair supporter’: do I still love going to football or just love the idea of it? | Max Rushden

A welcome return to watch Cambridge brought back a whole lot of memories, nostalgia and contemplation

On 11 February 1989, Cambridge United beat Hartlepool 6-0. My memories of the game are faint. The internet can’t even tell me who scored – perhaps Laurie Ryan got a couple. I do recall walking past some Hartlepool fans on Coldham’s Common who were peering into a brook. “Looking for a new centre forward?”

Not a terrible joke from my dad as we walked past. There was polite laughter at least.