When I was teaching a dozen years ago at the same Herefordshire school as Frank Keating's beloved wife, Jane, she enabled a group of my GCSE pupils to meet and greet him in an interview session as part of their English coursework. We worked through our questions, which focused almost entirely on football as seen from a youthful Herefordshire perspective. Frank was able to sidetrack his questioners somewhat, gently and enthusiastically filling us in on his experiences with local celebrities – in particular, Ian Botham. His great knowledge of sport clearly enthused this class of 15-year-olds. To end with, he recalled his early days as a Hereford Times reporter.
Later, his pupil interviewers gave him high praise: "He's all right, isn't he, Miss?" I hope they remember their priceless experience with him: I certainly do and with great fondness.