Oopps! I haven't done too well with posting anything so far. I suppose I better make a start. I guess the best thing to do for a first post is to talk a little bit about me.

If you didn't know, my name's Sam. I'm 30 and live in York which is a 'quaint' little city in the north of England. I'm an accountant for my sins, which isn't as well-paid as is made out, but it's certainly as glamorous. I don't spend all my time in York though, as my girlfriend, Sarah, lives in Hull with her little boy George, and I spend a bit of time every week over there.

I also play for the Ransome band which is a brass band based in Newark-on-Trent. Banding has played a major part of my life for many years now, and I joined Ransome about a year ago after falling out with the conductor of the my old band (Yorkshire Imperial). I'm lucky to play in the Championship section which means I compete against bands like Brighouse and Rasterick (of the Floral Dance), Grimethorpe Colliery (of Brassed Off) and Black Dyke. Over the course of the last few years, I've competed at the National Finals, the British Open and the All-England Masters and gone on many overseas tours.

When I'm not in Hull and Newark, my other passion is Manchester United football club. Unlike a lot of plastic Mancs out there, I've supported United for 27 years, through thick and thin.

Anyway, that's enough about me for now.