I AM a 70-year-old grandfather with a soccer mad eight-year-old grandson.

I phoned Southampton FC ticket office to see if there were any tickets left for the April 25 home game against Spurs.

I was asked if I had a customer number or something like that. I said I had never heard of such a thing and hadn’t been to a soccer game in many years. She said that it would not be possible for me to get two tickets.

“Oh, are you sold out then?” I asked. “No” she said. I then politely hung up.

I felt like a pariah (I know when I’m not wanted). I am not an illegal immigrant, in fact I was an SR in anaesthetics in Southampton many years ago and used to play for Southampton Water Polo Club when they were in a high national division (though I am no Mick Channon or Matt Le Tissier).

I shall take my grandson to watch Pompey, the ultimate insult.

ROBERT PALMER, Address supplied.