Mike Norman

Ever since I can remember I have had a passion for sport that goes way back to the 1982 FIFA World Cup, probably down to the fact that my mother made me wear the ‘Espana 82’ t-shirt at my 9th birthday party. Italy were crowned champions that year, with their enigmatic striker Paulo Rossi scooping the golden boot award. From that moment on I was hooked on football, and that addiction branched out to many other sports during the course of my adolescence.

I first discovered Betfair approximately around 2003 and I couldn’t believe the exchange prices I could get compared to high street and online bookmakers. Betfair has become an integral part of any serious punters weapons, and though I don’t class myself in that bracket, Betfair is still the first place I will look when I want any guidance on a sporting event.

Regarding my favourite ever sportsman, then that would have to be Colin Montgomorie. ‘Monty’ is pure box office no matter where he turns up or what form he is in. His seven successive European Order Of Merits titles will never be beaten in my opinion, and yet he came back just a few years later to claim an eighth after so many had wrote him off. He is a man of great emotion, a guy who plays from his heart and often with temper as well as he does with his clubs.

I'm a huge fan of Middlesbrough, and would regard Tony Mowbray as my favourite all time player.