This is not a journal of an ordinary citizen. These are inspiring stories from an exceptional man. Consider what courage it took for a shy teenager to break down the boundaries of his small village upbringing to expand his horizons, first to university in Manchester, then on a year abroad in France.

 

In fact, it’s a letter he wrote in 1959, that changed his life - and ours as well.

 

How crazy must it have seemed to his parents when he decided to head down to France on his bicycle - that’s 1000km on an old push bike. At times, he felt like giving up, but it was his determination to carry on to his destination that defines him.

 

Can you imagine even considering applying for a job in a remote African country so early in his career with a 2 year old son and a soon to be pregnant wife? This is at a time when communication between families in different countries was so challenging.

 

We'd always thought of his work as an ordinary civil servant, but now we can see the importance of the role and what a difference it makes to people’s lives. It’s intriguing and somewhat humbling to consider how different the work environment was just a generation ago.

 

There’s proof here that he can think outside the box. His thoughts on Brexit are gut-wrenching, his ideas to change football are revolutionary and would undoubtably improve everyone’s enjoyment of the sport.

 

Yet, there is more to these stories than blind courage, humorous anecdotes and visionary ideas. A fascinating insight into his ancestors shows he was brought up with true, honest values and these have never left him. They have defined him and inspired those around him.

 

These stories, anecdotes and ideas deserve a platform, and here it is. It’s an opportunity to interact with a wider audience. As his sons, we invite you to share these experiences and encourage you to share your thoughts, memories and feedback. It’s an incredible story, and one with so many chapters still waiting to be told.

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Peter & Jon Mackley