WHEREVER you choose to watch your football this weekend, take a moment and cherish it.

We have witnessed the best and the worst of humanity over the last week and also seen how people in football can pull together. In a sense, it is a shame it took such tragic events in Paris to make that happen.

It’s hard to put my week into words. After getting caught up in the horrific events around the France v Germany game on Friday night I then travelled to Hannover to watch the Germans take on the Netherlands.

What had looked an exciting game had already had the shine taken off it by what had happened but as we drove towards the stadium to take our seats early, the intense traffic told me something was up.

Our driver said it was probably because Angela Merkel would be attending but when we saw the blue flashing lights we realised that something was really wrong.

The game was cancelled two hours before kick-off after explosives were found in a nearby ambulance. The German FA got some stick for their decision – but I agree with it 100 per cent. Why take a risk?

Thankfully, no-one was hurt. We headed back to the hotel and watched events unfold on the television.

The next day I flew back to Manchester in awful conditions. It was so windy the plane felt like it was doing a loop-the-loop. I sat in my seat thinking “what else can go wrong?”

Home safe and sound – I don’t mind telling you the first thing I did was give my wife and daughter a big hug, get my dogs and go and take them for a run. We live in a crazy world but this week has reminded me that you need to look after what is most important to you.

There will be a special atmosphere at Gigg Lane, I’m sure, when Bury take on a tough team in Burton Albion. If they can take something of the home performance against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup into that one, they will be just fine.

Gillingham are going well and to lose there wasn’t the end of the world. I’m sure David Flitcroft will want a reaction.

I was proud to hear the reaction of England fans against France at Wembley and I think every football fan should take a minute this weekend and remember what they have got. Life is too short to take it for granted.