A tall chap walked to my counter yesterday sporting long hair and a suit. I’d dealt with hundreds of people already during the day so wasn’t paying much attention. Truth be told, I wouldn’t have recognised this person anyway by sight.

Then I saw his passport. Looked at his face. Then his passport. Then at all the people in the room looking at me.

Alain Sutter.

Swiss midfield legend who one on particular version of Championship Manager started as a free transfer on the left wing. A quality technician, if not on the wrong side of 30. He now works as a pundit on Swiss TV.

In my most polite German I asked if he was in fact, the “Profi” Alain Sutter (I think I was the only person in the room who didn’t recognise him). He said yes and we had a quick chat in English where he was keen to point out I was the only Englishman in Switzerland. As he got up he shook my hand which for this CM fanatic was something I’ll not forget quickly. 

I’m easily impressed.