i've always been a keen sportsman, but lacked confidence when i was younger.
the grown ups all whispered it was because i needed a father figure (my dad was quite ill for a lot of the time when i was a nipper).
but all i cared about was running, and football.
i still can't think of anything (well, maybe there are one or two exceptions) that beat that feeling of freedom and exhilaration you get when you are running.
so i'd run if there was nothing on tele, i'd run at school break times, i'd prepare eagerly for cross country when my mates were wondering how they were going to hide their fags in their shorts, i'd look forward to PE (apart from the cold showers).
and sport has pretty much kept me sane (stop laughing at the back) my whole life - football, tennis, squash, marathon runs, table tennis, badminton ... they've all been my friends, and some of them still are. i can stlll remember incidents in matches, goals i scored, points i won.
it also probably explains why i have stayed the same weight since i left school.
i occasionally put a bit of weight on if i'm on holiday, but it soon wears off.
never sit still - that's what mum said, and it's still true now.
but i'm still waiting for that magic moment, when i'm sitting in the stands and the voice on the loudspeaker says, could kevin please report to the dressing room because wayne rooney is off sick today.
i just hope today's children get the same opportunity and encouragement to take part, that i did.
