A night for all who believe football's about belonging not balance sheets

Some nights you know, even as they're happening, will stay with you forever.

- Jason Stockwood

Some nights you know, even as they're happening, will stay with you forever. Wednesday night at Blundell Park was one of them. A full house, the world's media watching, and Grimsby Town delivering the sort of performance that will be told and retold in pubs, workplaces and playgrounds for decades.

The pitch looked perfect under the lights. The performance was even better. When Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, admitted afterwards that "the best team won", it felt like a moment of truth. For once, the cameras weren't pointing at the Premier League's aristocrats but at a small port town on the Humber. For once, the headlines belonged to us.

I caught the train into town, something I rarely do now. I needed to be early for media duties. My wife drove later with the kids and a few friends. I don't think I've been more popular than I was this week, with United in town.