AFTER sending off an optimistic email to Middlesbrough Football Club asking for the opportunity of a match experience, I found myself amid the hustle and bustle of experienced press officers and match commentators anticipating a juicy cup encounter been Boro and Shrewsbury.
Now a 16-year-old lad with a burning passion for the game, I began my journalistic path at the age of 14 when I took up the post of writing reports for the Non-League Football Paper on my local club, Durham City.
Being there every other week, I have gained a real insight into what happens behind the scenes at a club, especially one that is run almost completely on a voluntary basis.
Upon arrival at the Riverside Stadium I was greeted by Mike McGeary, a Boro enthusiast who quickly warned me that he gets excited when his team score, so told me not to be alarmed if he dances around the press enclosure!
My pre-match tour began by taking a shortcut through the admin office, where I was greeted by the fantastic lady who made this experience possible, Yvonne Ferguson.
The next stop was the tunnel, which completely overwhelmed me as I realised stars such as Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo will have had their footsteps in the same place as mine.
Shortly after a few minor tasks were completed with Mike and a brief interception from a fan who called me Jedward, due to my hairstyle, we headed up to the press box, where I talked and mellowed out with media people from anywhere and everywhere.
Before I knew it the game was about to start, so I took my seat in the press area up in the gods to watch what should be an FA Cup marvel.
I retract that last sentence. By half-time I had witnessed an encounter that was yet to shift out of first gear and it would not be apparent to anyone who wasn't a football head that Shrewsbury were two leagues below Middlesbrough.
They had almost completely dominated proceedings, yet were behind to a solo Marvin Emnes strike.
Unfortunately, the second half proved as mediocre as the first, with Shrewsbury once again dominating large spells of the play. However, their attempts to break down the home side's defence were unsuccessful.
A large section of away fans to my right continued to get behind their team, as did the Middlesbrough faithful, by whom I was surrounded.
In the end I believe everyone was glad to hear the final whistle, and in contradiction of the dominant team, Middlesbrough progressed to the next round of the FA Cup.
After the game, I was led back to the press room, where I slurped three cups of hot chocolate while reflecting on the afternoon's proceedings.
Within around 25 minutes, the guy protecting the entrance told me and the assembled journos that Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner was on his way up.
As soon as he entered the room I struggled to come to terms with being centimetres away from a professional football manager in a press conference at the age of 16 - it was surreal.
Following a short interview with the defeated manager, I was then introduced to Tony Mowbray, who delivered an upbeat verdict on such a narrow win. But then again, a win is a win.
The day ended by meeting my dad in the same spot as where he had dropped me off. I left the Riverside still taking in such a terrific day with a crowd of such friendly and hospitable characters.
