I started supporting Wednesday when I was around 12 years old and living in Rotherham. My twin brother Barrie was already a Wednesday fan and my younger brother Paul soon followed. Barrie and I joined the RAF in 1962 so it was difficult to get back to watch Wednesday too often expect when on leave or they were playing away near where ever we were posted.

In 1966 I was part of the RAF's Tactical Communications Wing sent to Zambia during the Rhodesian declaration of UDI. I spent 5 months there and missed the cup final with Everton. Although it was the FA cup, Zambian television and Radio stations did not give it coverage so I had to resort to other tactics. I arranged (not authorised though) for the BBC radio coverage in the UK to be transmitted via RAF networks to Cyprus where another (illegal link) was then transmitted to another part of our Unit based in Kenya who then transmitted it down to Lusaka in Zambia where I listened to the game through loads of interference. All that effort and we lost the game!

I could only watch Wednesday play when back in the UK (I spent many years serving abroad) but it was always a very special occasion to go to Hillsborough...the result was not as important as actually being there...The feeling is still the same after all these years. I was also a Football referee and instructor for 17 years so many Saturdays were spent officiating at matches around the country.

After leaving the RAF in 1990 my wife (who had no previous interest in football until she met me) and I became season ticket holders and travelled to Hillsborough for every home game. We also went to as many away games as possible.

In the late 1990's I made contact through a fans website with a young New Zealander who was coming to the UK for his gap year and working in Manchester. Mike had been an Owls fan since 1993 when his father brought him to Hillsborough. I bought Mike and 3 his Aussie mates Owls membership for the season and Mike hardly missed a game. He also attended as many away games including the famous 'Honolulu Wednesday' at Norwich. Mike knows everything about Wednesday and is a real 'Stato'.

In 2001 my wife and I moved over to Spain but have continued to Travel back to Hillsborough at least 6 times a year and sometimes more. We made the journey back for the Cardiff play offs, Cost us around £800 but worth every penny.

In 2003 my wife and I decided to spend 6 months travelling around the world. We have done that 3 times now and on each visit we have recruited loads of American, Canadian, New Zealand and our latest...Charlie aged 9 month in Brisbane Australia. Charlie's dad is a Chelsea supporter but he is happy for Charlie to be a Wednesdayite as he doesn't see a threat to Chelsea!!!

All the kids are members of Wednesdayite...I gave them all memberships and pay their annual subscriptions. Young Hugh in New Zealand still believes he is responsible for the fantastic run of result at the end of the 2007 season as he received his new home shirt iate in February. Because of the 12 hours time difference he meant he would be in bed when the Owls were playing...he always asked if we were at home or away so he made sure he had the right shirt on before the game. It worked every time...I guess I will have to buy him this year's shirt so he can get the run going again.

Every year in our Villa in Spain we hold an 'end of season' Wednesday party. The terraces are kitted out in Wednesday flags, scarfs, banners etc. We even have a mechanical Owls flying around of the gazebos. Those attending have to wear either a Wednesday shirt, a home made Wednesday type shirt or at least blue and white. We have a great BBQ, loads to drink and a Karaoke which always start with Wednesday songs....'Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday' echo's through the mountain region where we live several times during the evening and into the night. The party is one of three. ..Thank God we stayed up Party...or...Oh S*%t we got relegated party or...best of all..We got promoted party. The party is so popular people are even swapping their team to become Wednesday fans....maybe just to get to the party but...who cares, the more the merrier.



Some of the people Doug has introduced to Sheffield Wednesday and Wednesdayite throughout the world: