I began writing the first draft of this book on the second day of my honeymoon, 26 February 1996. It took considerably longer to finish than the marriage itself. They both got shelved sometime in 1998.
As is always the way, there are numerous people to thank and countless others that I cannot thank publicly, who should know that I am eternally grateful to them for their contributions, honesty and most of all their bravery.
Those who can be thanked publicly include Nick Lowles, who pretended to read the manuscript despite the constant distractions of football, sunshine and curry. Often we were joined by ‘Titus’ Batty who chopped wood, drank red wine and complained. Without their constant encouragement and duplicity this book may well have never seen the light of day.
To Dan Hodges, to whom there would appear never to be a closed door, and who convinced the great Iain Dale that he really needed to publish a book with a lot of profanity. I should also mention David Greason, from whom I learnt so much and to whom I am still in awe. Many thanks to my very patient and liberal-minded editor Sam Carter.
Thanks must also go to those people in Melbourne who mothered, fathered and occasionally fed me during those years I lived there. In particular, but not only, Robyn and Noel, Ross and his girls, Leanne, Greg & Titty, Conn, Gavan, Warren, Chris A, Heathcliffe and his family, the Day family and those many others who I do not forget.
In television land I cannot go without mentioning Roger Childs and Jane D, who both put up with my smoking, temperamental bowels and quite occasional foul language. This was particularly tough on Jane D in her mission to get me to Oldham. And then there are Quentin McDermott and Andy Bell who put up with the same sort of stuff which eventually got me sent to Australia.
Thanks must go to those who inspire me: my brothers and their beautiful families, especially. For his music, eternal patience, friendship and access to his rider, there is, of course, only one Mr Billy Bragg (and family). To Gregg McDonald and Pete Dunwell who captured the whole journey.
For reading the manuscript and giving advice where needed (and where not), it would be remiss not to mention Vicky O, Nick Ryan, Dr G, Ruth S and Romeo. The wonderful staff and volunteers at Searchlight and Hope Not Hate, in particular the ‘A team’. Special thanks to Andy V and Daphne Liddle for hunting down long-lost pics.
For sound financial advice, curry and lager, Cormac H and Simon T were superb encouragement. So too was my father. As were, of course, Gerry and Sonia Gable.
But this book is for my mother. It’s both a recollection and an apology.
Matthew Collins, London 2011