Of course, this is what being a football fan is all about. Being outnumbered, being as loud as possible to make up for it and feeling like you've played your part.

We arrived in our place ready to do our bit in the battle which lay ahead. But, being the day before Remembrance Sunday, fittingly a group of soldiers from the British Army were presented to the crowd before kick- off.Their tour around the ground started with a long walk across the pitch from the main stand towards our enclosure, past a silent empty terrace at one end of the ground.

As they approached, every Morecambe fan rose to their feet and applauded with respect, pride and, is suspect, a sense of humility.The reception was a very emotional moment and, whilst I personally don't know anyone who is serving in the forces overseas, I was genuinely emotional looking at these young people in army fatigues who had surely feared for their lives in the course of their jobs very recently. How must they and their families cope?

I had arrived in the stand feeling the most important thing in the world in that moment was the football match I was about to see. How matters were brought into perspective at that moment. I felt proud of them (though I didn't know any of them) and felt particularly moved by the universal support of all the fans, both Morecambe and Carlisle, who had been brought together as one in that simple event.

So, the football match may not have been the most important thing in the world after all, but football certainly has a role to play in our lives on so many levels. And, of course, a great game followed. From a slow, bitty start, the game concluded with us all on the edge of our seats.Tonight the football stakes have been raised even higher with a televised home tie to Norwich City awaiting the winners.

I know you will all keep up the noise and make this a great event.Above all, enjoy the match and the occasion and thank you for your support.

1921