I spend so much time chatting about my new life as a country squire in deepest Suffolk that I guess not all of you know that I am a Manchester original. Sure enough if you cut me deeply enough I bleed a full-blooded red, just like my beloved Manchester United (sorry to you Kippax boys out there).

I moved away from there around 27 years ago now, just after I graduated from Uni, but in my formative years I was lucky enough to live through and survive (just about) the halcyon days of the Madchester scene. So much to answer for indeed.

A regular at the Hacienda, I rubbed shoulders with many of my musical idols, although to be honest they were just like me, pissed up, loved up dodgy Mancs, who were just chasing the next vibe.

In those days Manchester was still your typical northern city, down and…