FOLLOWING Michael's expose of me in last week's Touchline there is clearly a need for me to come clean.

I must confess. Yes, it's true.

Whilst at college I experimented. Although it was occasionally enjoyable I found it rarely relaxing. But yes, I admit it. I followed Burnley. Luckily for me unlike friends and family, I did not become addicted and move on to the harder stuff such as a season ticket. Twenty years on I feel confidently able to say that I am cured.

Loads of people seem fascinated by a so-called feud between Michael, Trevor, Ian and myself. Let me put the record straight with all sincerity (not a commodity with which I am well blessed). I find the Tales from the Touchline riveting reading. It gives a "fly-on-the-wall" view of amateur football across the county. It epitomises the elations and frustrations. The only time I have sought to comment is when it has offered opinions with which I disagree or stated facts which I believed to be incorrect. It is however, a very positive addition to Grassroots and one only hopes it continues to flourish.

Indeed should any of the correspondents find themselves in God's country (Rishton) this summer, I cordially invite them to seek me out (my house is named after my refereeing standards). I foresee us sat on the lawn overlooked East Lancashire with a nice Cabernet. We would muse over a crisp Autumn afternoon, a six-six draw, no red or yellow cards, some great goals, topped by a few pints and a bag of pork scratchings in the local.

And we would agree you see because we have much in common. They wouldn't do their unpaid weekend jobs if they weren't more passionately in love with football than with their wives. And why do you think referees do it? Football is THE passion for many of us. Long may the banter and arguments continue! When they stop so will I and I guess many others too.