A tale I have recounted before: a few years ago, when I used to go to the gym at Cedar Court and Bulls players used to use the pool, I bumped into a certain player (call him player 1) as we were both getting dressed in the changing rooms. My missus fancied the pants off said recently-signed player (as did more than a few others), but at the time she was laid up in bed with a buggered lower back from twisting funny at work, and was feeling pretty down. I was chatting with said player (as you do) and, in amongst, asked cheekily if he could do me a huge favour? If I rang my missus on my mobile, could he just say a quick hello and say hope you get well soon? Please please? Would make her day and cheer her up no end, cos you are her favourite player (true). Cheeky, I know.

Player 1 - to my pleasant surprise - said no problem...see me out in the gym reception in a couple of mins. Which I did. And I rang her and said here was a guy wanted to say a quick hello, and put Player 1 on. And he did exactly what I asked, addressing her by name and was real nice. My missus asked "who's this?" thinking it was one of the guys from the gym we knew. Player 1 replied "Its ......" and after she'd finally believed it was him, had a nice chat with her and asked her how she was and commiserated and all that...she was pretty gobsmacked and chuffed to bits - cheered her up loads.

While this was happening, Player 2 (who I had not spotted previously) came out of the changing rooms, and looked quizzically at us and I mouthed what was happening and he listened and got the gist. Then he asked for the phone, and did likewise, addressed her by name and got another huge reaction from the other end once he told her who HE was (another of her heroes at the time). When she asked him were we at the gym, the bugger said "has your husband been telling you we are at the gym? Are we heck, we're up at 'Top House having a few jars..." Bit more chat, and done. And five minutes from those two that did more, far more, to help her get better than anything else could have done.

I'll not forget that - can you imagine e.g most soccer players doing that? They were absolutely great with her, someone they knew only to be a fan currently crook.

Player 1, her hero, was a recently-signed Tevita Vaikona. Player 2, his travel-mate from Hull and with a twinkle in his eye and great sense of humour, was Steve McNamara.

The fireman in question used to work with my Dad at a different station. Met him a few times and from the videos I've seen on his phone I can confirm he's insane, yet a legend!

I went to the premier league darts at the Ricoh arena in Coverntry last year. We stayed in the hotel in the complex where alll the players and officials were staying as well. They were all in the hotel bar after having a drink and were all very friendly. Sid Waddell and Dave Lanning were sat at a table by the lifts and on our way back to the room we went over for a chat. I tried to talk to Sid a bit but was far too well gone by that stage and I had to get my missus to translate. Sid suggested that i let her do all the talking as she's much better at it than me.

Also met Alex higgins on a tain with my cousin. My cousin was sat on the aisle and he asked her to look after his cue and his bag and he ran up the train into the next carraige and beyond. This was just after the train left Manchester Piccadilly and he didn't return until it was pulling into Huddersfield.

And I once met Graham Gooch in Parcs.