The latest Red to feature in United Review’s iconic handshake illustration, Andy Mitchell, is a prime example. Born in Abbey Wood, south-east London, he has been following the club since the mid-1960s. His membership of the Manchester United London Fan Club – formed in 1965 – dates back to 1969.
“A good school friend, Steve, was a United fan, so I became one too, without understanding it too much,” he recalls. “I didn’t even know there were other teams at that point!
“As I started playing and got interested in football, it just stuck. My dad took me to Fulham [a 2-2 draw in 1967] and then I went to the famous 6-1 game at West Ham.