enjoying a period of success. In fact, that season (1978-79) Barking were crowned Isthmian League Premier Division champions. As well as the team's success, my dad, Bobby Makin, won the Player of the Year award voted by the Supporters' Club and my uncle, Keith Barrett, won the Players' Player award. Of course, I was too young to remember these details for myself at the time, but I have heard it mentioned once or twice since !

When my dad left the club in 1982 I was old enough to notice and felt sad that I could no longer play on the steps behind the goal near the tea bar. I remember my second stint as a Mayesbrook Park regular much more clearly. David Patient was the manager and asked my dad to be player/coach. The ground was looking a little run down but lacked the funds to do much about it. Dave and my dad decided to lend a hand and so our family spent many a Sunday afternoon with a paintbrush in hand painting the toilets or the railing around the pitch, collecting rubbish and digging up weeds!

I really used to love midweek games in the spring when it was light for most of the game and I could run after the loose balls kicked out of play and throw them back to the team!

I have to admit that when your dad is involved in football you change allegiance as often as he changes kit, but Barking has always remained "my team".

I hope that the Blues' fortunes will pick up again soon and we will see a return to the glory days of the past.