Johnny Lister was one of several Newcastle United supporters who travelled down to Manchester to watch their team play and ended up drinking in the Rovers Return Inn. He complained to Betty Turpin that the beer tasted like water so she served him a real pint of water in order that he could tell the difference! The Geordie lads led a sing-song in the pub and Alan Howard, delighted to come across some of his fellow countrymen, joined in with gusto.