SNOW and freezing temperatures have played havoc, not only with all sporting fixtures but for everyone trying to get from A to B.

I can't remember such a prolonged spell of cold weather. With top Premier League clubs calling off games, it is no wonder clubs like ours cannot get games on. Even training has been a non-starter this week with the facilities and roads getting to them too treacherous.

For me, though, the end of the week was fantastic — a trip to Manchester United's training ground at Carrington to meet the great man himself. My son, George, and I travelled up to Manchester on Thursday evening where we were invited to Ben Foster's house with my ex-colleague and Ben's agent Vince O'Keefe. As you can imagine, Ben's house was top drawer, very fitting for a player who is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. He showed his culinary skills to cook us a fabulous meal and we reminisced about his time at Tiverton Town.

With the temperature in Manchester a cool -16C during the night ,the short trip to the training ground took 45 minutes when usually it takes about 15. Having just about got there on time we waited for Sir Alex in the training ground foyer with the media boys who were expecting a press conference at 10am.

He had an unscheduled meeting with United chief executive David Gill, so all other meetings were put back, including mine.

Eventually he came down to reception in an especially good mood (must have been a good meeting with Mr Gill over possible transfer targets in the window). Sir Alex was complimentary of my time at Tiverton Town. I don't know whether or not it was the couple of bottles of vintage red wine that I presented him with, courtesy of our main sponsor, Steve Light, of Edenvale Turf.

After our meeting we had a good look around the place and it was pure class, everything that a professional footballer could wish for — indoor swimming pools, superb gym facilities, indoor full-size pitch, restaurant and outdoor pitches.

We watched Ben Foster put through his paces on the indoor rubber-crumbed pitch — he looked awesome. Let's hope he gets his fitness and form back to take his place in the United side and for England in South Africa.

The meeting and experience I had with Sir Alex will long remain as a highlight of my career and also for George, who is an avid United fan.