MY YORK STREET: Boston United fan George Morton remembers a frosty reception in Manchester the day after Bob Lee's FA Trophy winner, flying home with the referee after winning the Conference and missing matches due to the Gulf War

My first game: April 15, 1967; West Midlands League: Boston Utd 8-0 Cinderford Town. A goalfest season (139 scored in 42 league games). I was taken to York Street with a friend and his dad. And, even though I’ve lived 140 miles from Boston since 1979, I’ve been going ever since.

My favourite game: April 13, 1985; FA Trophy semi-final, second leg v Altrincham and Bob Lee’s winner! I was a referee in various Sunday Leagues around Manchester back then, and the next day I was reffing at Timperley Sports Ground – less than two miles from Altrincham’s Moss Lane stadium. Everyone knew I was Boston United supporter, and I didn’t get a very warm reception that day.

My least favourite game: April 19, 1980; FA Trophy semi-final, second leg v Mossley. Another ‘local’ club to me, the only time Mossley led in the entire tie was when they went 2-1 up with less than five minutes to go. It was that late Mossley goal that made Lee’s winner so much the sweeter five years later.

My strangest game: April 28, 2002; the Hayes experience. Expand ‘strangest game’ to ‘surreal day’ and it was truly unique. The only time I’ve taken a flight to a football match, Manchester to Heathrow. Amidst all the excitement, who can forget the four-seasons-in-one-day weather? Back at Heathrow, and still decked out in my United replica shirt, a suited gentleman stopped to ask me if I had enjoyed my day. It was Steve Brand – the referee of the match – also flying back to Manchester. Naturally, he didn’t expand on Peter Costello’s sending off, but we talked for a good half hour or so.

My happiest memory: That the club had been saved by Messrs Newton and Kempster. That and then my return to being a full-time supporter, after only being able to get to a few matches for five years or so in March 1991, the GM Vauxhall Conference Boston United 3 Kidderminster Harriers 1. The first home game after my Gulf War-delayed permanent return to the UK after working in Saudi Arabia. What a fantastic feeling. The following week I went to Barrow. We lost 2-0, but I was absolutely delighted to be back into the old routine of watching United every Saturday.

My worst memory: That the club might actually be going out of existence before David and Neil stepped in. Back in 1978 the news that Wigan Athletic‘s Springfield Park was deemed a better ground than York Street, and the Latics going into the Football League. How that decision changed the history of both clubs! Springfield Park was demolished 20 years or so later and the site is now a housing estate. Latics now share the DW Stadium with Wigan Warriors Rugby League, for whom I am a season-ticket holder. My seat at the DW is in .... the Boston Stand.

My favourite goal: Jim Conde’s thunderous header (on the end of a fantastic Alan Tewley cross) against Derby County in the FA Cup, with England defender Colin Todd looking on and being able to do absolutely nothing about it.

My favourite player: My goodness, so many super and committed players to choose over all the years. I keep coming back to five I cannot really separate Billy Howells, Dave Adamson, Paul Bastock, Paul Ellender and Carl Piergianni.

Best opposition player: Who else but my namesake? George Morton was banging in the goals for free-scoring Bangor City in the first-ever NPL season in 1968-69, alongside future United striker Jim Conde. They ruined the start of Christmas 1968. On Saturday, December 21 they neat United 6-2. Defiantly, on the way home, I told my grandfather (who had arrived to spend Christmas) that Bangor wouldn’t score that many against us again. And they didn’t – in the return in February we lost, but only 5-2.

Best away side: Not counting teams played from higher divisions, the above Bangor City side.

My favourite manager: For a lot of reasons, Jim Smith. I was 15 when he departed and I was gutted. Just after the news broke I saw Jim on Pen Street. I went over and said 'very sorry you’re leaving us Jim, but I wish you all the best at Colchester’. I must have sounded a bit glum, as he asked me my name and then said 'don’t worry George, Boston United will get on just fine without me’. We talked for about 15 mins and, of course, he was right.

I'll miss York Street because: Apart from my house and the office, I doubt I’ve spend as many hours anywhere else (except in the car on my 280 miles round trip) and I’ve experienced the whole range of emotions there. I still can’t believe we have left the place. Manchester United may have Old Trafford and Barcelona may have the Camp Nou, but Boston United have had York Street ..... nothing else really needs to be said.

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