I know Bryce from high school and I met Phil at an MLS game in DC over a decade ago now.

I don't know anybody here personally. 

It's possible I met Paul Cockayne at a Diplomacy tournament innthe late 80's in Birmingham or Leicester (I think they were called MidCon). 

I've a feeling I met Mark Stretch, who used to play here, at a Psychcon or Midcon (Psychpath is where I started playing Olmec games - long story going back to 2004).

I definitely met Andy Bate in my first MidCon(?) he was Austria and it was my first ever face to face game. He was the only one eliminated from the game. He's played in both U1 

Edit: it was ManorCon not MidCon.

My first United game was "Football is for armchairs" (FiFA) in the early 90s.  One of its best features was an end of season face to face at someone's house for a weekend United tournament, some board games, beer/curry/beer/pizza/beer/etc. Those were the days when a sleeping bag on the floor was a viable option!  

I believe the first of these get togethers was held at Sir Simon Compton's Northamptonshire mansion, and we met a few more times on those weekends and also at a couple of TringCons.  I can confirm that IRL Compo is not only United royalty but a great guy and very, very funny (well he was 30 years ago anyway)

I don't think I've met anyone else in MSWL but my memory isn't what it used to be...

GREAT TOPIC from Brian here...

I did not know the Phil-John MLS game story...good stuff!

Steve citing Paul and some emeritus (emerita?) coaches...good stuff!

Roger and Compo...I believe Compo has a mansion...good stuff!

For me...in U1...

- Phil I have known since about 1985.  Phil went to college with one of my good friends from Quincy and we've interacted/annoyed each other since then.  Phil is the godfather to my youngest...Mad Max and thankfully Phil still puts up with me.  Here's Phil and I enjoying breakfast from Las Vegas earlier this year (although I can't remember who paid for this breakfast?)...