'Now, kicking off a new Premiership season... Match Of The Day, with Gary Lineker.' The words belonged to a BBC announcer, but the excitement was all mine.

After a close-season that went on longer than a McCririck funeral speech, MOTD was back for another season. On the first night of the new Premiership season I was like a kid again. Remember when you were dying for Top Of The Pops to come on and Tomorrow's World refused to end? Well for Tomorrow's World read the BBC News preceding MOTD on that opening night - the bugger just wouldn't quit. Good to be back

What had they changed over the summer?