Harare — BOTHWELL CHIKOMBORA grew up in the Unit H neighbourhood of Chitungwiza  a stone's throw from Chibuku Stadium.

Most of his Saturdays were spent watching Fire Batteries at Chibuku and, on Sunday, he would then travel to Harare to watch his beloved Dynamos at Rufaro.

A lot has changed in Bothwell's life since those days in the '90s when his passion for football was quenched by a weekly dosage of a trip to Mbare to watch his DeMbare heroes and the highlight was always the Harare Derby showdown against CAPS United.

On Sunday, Bothwell was part of a huge crowd of more than 75 000, which converged at Old Trafford, for the Manchester Derby when the Red Devils hosted Manchester City.

Bothwell is now based in England where he is studying political science at Oxford University. He also works part-time as a research co-ordinator. This week, he shared his memories of his special day at Old Trafford, with The Herald Sport.

"I am a staunch season-ticket-holder of Manchester United," said Bothwell. "And every time I watch the Manchester Derby, it often brings back the nostalgia of watching my beloved team DeMbare when we used to beat CAPS United at Rufaro.

"Old Trafford is out of this world and it is truly a Theatre of Dreams. The atmosphere is always fantastic, nothing short of extraordinary, and it gives you the impression that Manchester United is a religion rather than a football club.

"Imagine 76 000 fans around you, chanting, cheering, and singing."

Bothwell says he regularly drives from London to Manchester to watch the Red Devils.

"Me and my friends and other fellow Zimbabweans, as a habit, every Saturday or Sunday drive up the motorways leading from London to Manchester," said Bothwell.

"And every time we go to Old Trafford, it always seems like it's our first time."I have been to The Emirates, Anfield and Stamford Bridge but Old Trafford is something else.'

He also spoke about the game on Sunday, which Manchester United won 4-3, with Michael Owen scoring six minutes into added time.

"The game was fantastic, but I must confess, Manchester City are no longer small boys with a small mentality. They are now big boys with a big mentality.

"They gave us a hard time, their defence is water tight, their midfield is energetic and their striking force is forceful. We have to thank God for the absence of Adebayor, Robinho and Benjani.

"The last time it was Benjani who broke our fine Manchester Derby winning record at Old Trafford that had been running since April 1974, when he scored the winner for Manchester City.

"The sad part is that the defeat came on the day when we were marking the 50th anniversary of the Munich Disaster in February last year.

"The best moment of the game was when Craig Bellamy profited from a Rio Ferdinand careless pass and accelerated like Usain Bolt to score City's equaliser and bring the game to 3-3 on the 90th minute.

"The whole stadium was devastated, the environment quickly shifted from merry-making to despondency. I looked at my fellow Zimbabweans, in the stadium, and they all looked like someone who has just received a death message.

"But on the Manchester City's bench it was all jubilation and guess who was grinning in ecstasy-Benjani and Robinho, dressed in black suits with the Manchester City badge on the right breast pocket."

Bothwell said after the game, as the porters brought the players' expensive cars one after the other, he was proud to realise that although Benjani had not played in the game, he had a car that created waves.

"But don't worry that Benji didn't play because he represented our beloved nation well with his American £65 000 White Cadillac Escalade.

"I had a quick chat with Benjani and Kolo Toure who expressed their disappointment with the referee."

Bothwell is enjoying life in the fast lane in England and on Sunday he watched arguably the best ever Manchester Derby.

But, he says, there will always be one special team in his life.

"Dynamos for life, mate, no compromise about that."