Many of us can wax lyrical at length about how being a fan of Rafael Nadal has changed our lives. Some believe that absorbing Rafa's values has made them a better person. Others have risked bankruptcy to attend as many of his matches as possible and we've all spent way too much time and emotional energy willing him on to titles. We wanted to know if, beyond the changes that being a fan of Rafa had brought, there was any difference that being part of vamosbrigade.com had made for them so we opened a thread for their stories.

Here are some extracts.

To start on a personal note, I am fairly certain that if I'd not been a part of this site I would never have experienced the magic of Australia. I'd long wanted to meet the lovely Lillian, who has helped so much with moderating our messageboard. Attending the Australian Open seemed as good a place as any but I would never have had the courage to travel all that way on my own. Six of us met up in Monte Carlo last year and ended up driving back across France when the ash cloud scuppered our travel plans. So it was a chance conversation on the deck of the cross channel ferry with the like-minded cathieb that got us planning the trip of a lifetime. Thus it was that I not only met Lillian (and the lovely Ging) at the Australian Open but also discovered the delights of Sydney, Perth and the magical Uluru. Without meeting cathieb through vamosbrigade.com this would not have happened.

I would use the word "enriched" rather than "changed" to describe the impact of VB on me. First of all, discovering the history and layers of Rafa in this site has enriched me as a person. I would have never known just how amazing his character is as an athlete had it not been for VB. Second of all, "meeting" people from all over the world has been humbling--to know that I share similar attitudes, preferences, or concerns with someone halfway across the globe has been truly transformative. It makes me feel like this: I *LOVE* that VB is international. bebe

VB is the site that helped me recover from Rafa's injury in 2009. I started to be a fan in 2008, but only discovered this amazing place during his injury time, after I watched that support video. (I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the VBer who created it. Editor's note: It was Maggy Bassett and can be seen here) I'm more of a lurker over here but I love it! maitush

VB has changed my life in many ways! The best thing is the friends I have made from all over the world and the people I've been fortunate to meet and get to know at tournaments. To share this with my mother is a rare treat and we have many wonderful memories. Also, I was inspired by Rafa to pick up a tennis racquet (at age 56!) and start playing tennis. After many lessons and lots of practice I'm an intermediate level player, have been in two leagues, and now play regularly three times a week. It's so much fun that I understand why Rafa always wants to play more. Following Rafa on Vamos Brigade has made me happier and healthier -- what's not to like! bluebird

I credit Rafa with bringing my love of tennis back after a long absence. It was also 2008. I first learned about VB in Jon Wertheim's book. He seemed genuinely impressed with this place, so I was curious and came to visit. You've got everything here from straight news about tournaments to all of Rafa's off-court activities. I always know that anything newsworthy will be covered here and it will be accurate information.

It's also great fun to read about everyone travelling the globe to see him play and then sharing their experiences. I've had the pleasure of meeting bluebird and a few other vbers. I'm thinking of going to the Spain/France tie in September and would love to know who is thinking of going.

VB has truly shown me how small the world really is and how quickly you can come to care for people you have never even met. When Rafa wins, we celebrate together. When Rafa loses, we comfort one another. When Rafa gets injured, we gather to send him messages of good health and happiness. Wherever Rafa goes to play tennis, there is a VBer on site to report from his practices, post pictures and videos. The friendships, love and care for our fellow Rafa fans stretch beyond tennis though. When Japan was hit by the earthquake and tsunami earlier this year, my fellow VBer Snowgoose was the first person I thought of. I rushed to VB and Facebook to see if there was any word from her and I could not relax until I'd heard she was safe and sound. Most recently I have received many messages from my friends on this website in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Oslo and on Utøya. I have also received PMs from VBers I don't normally talk to much and it warms my heart to know the people who frequent this website are indeed good hearted and caring. Attitudette

If Vb.com has changed my life? Oh dear, I don't even need to think it over before answering this question: ABSOLUTELY YES!!! Every single day I log in here to check news on Rafa; even when I am out of sorts I have to come here and check the site. It's a sort of ritual; I would miss something if I didn't do that. I have not had the pleasure yet to meet any of you "in flesh and blood", and most probably I will never have such a pleasure... :( but I am proud to say that I feel I have many friends here. We may argue, oh yes this happens sometimes, we may agree or not agree on this or that subject, but I know I can always count on you for having a good chat or sharing a funny moment when I am feeling down. Has Vb.com changed my life? You bet! PAT

This website is great to get info on Rafa. Every conceivable bit of info you could imagine. I'm grateful for that. And for the love everyone on here shows for Rafa.

I could write pages on this subject! :D To keep it brief, I'll just agree with all the great posts above. It's so good to be able to share the good and bad times of Rafa's career with others. There is nothing better than being able to go to a tournament and cheer with a group of VBers. It's fantastic! The best thing about VB and truly life changing have been the friendships I have made here, both with the people I've met and those I hope to meet in the future. Janken

I would like to write pages on this subject, but in French! I will try to write some words in English to wish a happy 5th anniversary to VB, a place I really love and where I feel home! In 2008, I had the opportunity to meet MAC & Mamasue before the MC tournament... I was really intimidated but after half an hour spent together, I had the feeling I knew them for ages! We shared the same passion of tennis and of a very special player! Then I began to post on the English board from time to time (hope it helped to improve my English a little bit too) and it allowed me to meet (virtually) many great people... I met some of them in flesh : many British Ladies and Mr Daisy, Elise, Natalie and her friend from Moscow and each time it was a real pleasure! So yes VB has changed my life - or agree with bebe - "enriched" it! and I'm thankful for that! flo

Wow where to start. VB has changed my life in so many ways for me it's the friendships I have made with people I have met and people I haven't. It has given me the confidence I didn't know I possessed, if you had said to me a few years ago I would attend a tournament by myself I would have been horrified, but not anymore I now would hop on a plane and go anywhere knowing I would meet like minded people. Attitudette summed it up perfectly when she said it is a community that cares about each other, I've shared joy and sadness on this board and it is different from many forums I have joined in the past where posters are just faceless names, posters here are very real and I care very much for many of them. Electricwitch

It was reading all the fan experiences on VB that made me want to go to my first professional tennis tournament. I don't think it would have occurred to me without the great stories that VBers have to tell about their experiences. I've been watching tennis pretty much all my life but I never actually thought about going to see it live. The people here inspired me to spend the money and take the time. Summer3 said to me when I first met her, "Rafa is one of a kind & we don't know how long we'll have him around, so we have to see him while we can". That stuck with me. I am going to my third tournament this summer at Cincinnati and plan on going to more. Justcansay thankyouverymuch for the friends I have made. Some are as close as 10 minutes away, some are in other states, and some are even in other countries. That's saying something. Because of VB I feel perfectly comfortable getting on a plane and flying across the country to a tournament because I know that when I get there, there will be other great people that I "know", but haven't necessarily met in person to share the experience with. That's amazing. Thank you! sw828

I love VB. I love knowing that I can come here whenever I want to to spend time with like-minded Rafa fanatics. Of course it's all tied in with my love of Rafa, and all things Rafa. You are my Rafa bible, tome of obscure references and facts - my Rafa Wiki!

Whether Rafa wins or loses, I know I can come here and cheer or mope without feeling bad. No one gets or (well not much ), and VB provides solace in the bad times, and joy in the good times.

Once again - I love VB.
VB has changed my life for the better and I’m a happier person. This is the one place where I can come to share all kinds of feelings with like-minded fans and nobody will say that I’m crazy. I can cheer for Rafa and drool over here, find consolation and express concern when Rafa gets injured or loses once in a while, and rejoice in the good times of which there are many. Whatever - you name it, VB has got it.
I don't know about changing my life but it has certainly changed my home! Whenever Rafa is playing in a tournament everything is covered with a fine layer of dust, you have to pick your way carefully over the carpet and weeds flourish in the garden as following Rafa on VB takes precedence over household tasks. Without VB I might be housewife of the year but a major source of pleasure in my life would be missing. Life's too short to iron underwear!

Vamosbrigade was my first attempt at being part of a board and I must say I've never ventured far away. Why would you? Everything Rafa is here, immediately, translated and discussed with intelligence, fun, and in minute detail most of the time. But it is the friendships that dominate this site IMO, that make it special. Some of us have been lucky enough to meet fellow VBers but our virtual friendships are just as important and I like the way the common good prevails, even in difficult times. So how has VB changed my life - it's become part of it. And I wouldn't change a thing. Lillian

Vb has changed my life in that it has embellished it, augmented it, and has provided a safe and healthy escape for me, as well as perhaps been part of a "mid-life" crisis! Working as an oncology nurse, having a husband and 3 kids, one with intensive special needs, VB is an escape, it's my "hot bath" every day. Yes, I have grown to care about all the posters, too, how unusual to feel close to people you've never met! To have all the viewpoints, ideas and art expressed here is a wonderful thing. Like others, I attended a tournament in 2009 (US Open), something I never would have done if not for VB. And like others I do come here to embrace his victories and wallow in his losses. It makes the whole tennis thing more enjoyable for me, since I'm the only avid fan I know. CarolBBohan

VB has opened up a whole new world to me. I've learned about places I've only dreamt about and there are so many diverse things going on here. I've made many friends on this site and VB helped me get to know Rafa's character..how he fights for every point,never giving up, his mental toughness,etc.. Modeling his attitude..I was inspired to lose 154lbs (in 19 months).. because of a Weight loss thread that was set up here.VB has changed my life..the confidence and self-esteem I have now is all because of VB and I am forever grateful. Thank you VB!! alifay

Not sure what I would do without VB, to be honest. It started off as a place to check up on what Rafa was doing, find the latest articles (brilliantly translated), see the latest pics, and to just celebrate being a fan of Rafael Nadal. But it has turned into so much more than that. Now, I feel linked to so many people all over the world, initially through Rafa, but you find out about people, their lives, their personalities, their passions (top of the list = Rafa, of course), their cares - and the whole VB experience changes. I loved being a Rafa fan before, but the whole thing is enhanced by being able to share it with so many like-minded people - the exuberance shared after a spectacular victory (luckily, there have been many of these), the anxiety shared and maybe lessened by discussing worries with everyone - and then there is the fun and laughter that we all share... I never imagined, when it started, that I would make so many good friends, but that is what has happened. All because of a Spanish tennis player, and the fabulous website dedicated to him. JLB

VB is the BEST!!!! I've now been a few years here and I almost got to meet some VBers in Toronto last year. (where were you guys, the Pimm's was awesome) Even though I haven't actually met anyone, it's the BEST place on earth to share info about one of the greatest athletes who ever lived. When you come here in a bad mood about something that happened in tennis, you always know you are in good company. Best of all, my life and one of my best friends' lives have totally been changed by the "pictures" thread... we send each other pics with captions in "Rafa-speak" that are really funny. SOMETIMES, we almost feel like we know him just from watching his interviews and matches, and getting the commentary from VBer's on the scene. danielle12303

How has VB changed my life? Well I know for certain that I would never have been able to drink a very expensive glass of champagne on the terrace of the Monte Carlo Country Club after Rafa's win this year if it wasn't for VB! Initially I was mainly a lurker and spent many a happy hour reading through thread after thread, reveling in all the wonderful information I found, I was very impressed. Then when MAC arranged a VB Grand Day Out at Wimbledon I decided that I would go, this is quite out of character for me as I'm shy and don't really like talking to people I don't know. But what an wonderful afternoon - I would never have believed I could spend 4 hours nattering about Rafa with strangers over a cup of tea! I have now spent many other afternoons, mornings and evenings, with the VB friends I have made since that first day out, (including 4 days in a car with MAC which is how I ended up on that terrace on MC) - Thanks for all the fun times we've had and for all those still to come. alegriaH

Let me just say, for the last five years, if I hadn't had a place to go and interact with other people who love and support Rafael Nadal, my head would have exploded. cmac

You find Rafa.......its kind of inevitable that you find VB......and hang around for....the duration. Huge "big ups" and significant "respects!" to all VB founders, mods, tech's, and contributors of all kinds. I am here, pretty much every day, pretty much first thing with the coffee and (sadly) no longer a cigarette, getting my daily dose of inspiration to begin the day. And its so very glad and appreciative I am to be able to watch and enjoy Rafa in the company of so many other lovers. silvamine

Thanks to VB I have found a family of inter-generational and international friends with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing an array of spectacular moments - job moves and job losses, marriages and (grand)babies, personal tragedies and good fortune. I've met their families and visited their homes, shared hotel beds and tents, spent many hours chatting over a glass (or bottle) of wine and laughed so much that my sides hurt. Oh yes, there was a lot of tennis and Rafa too, of course, but mostly it was about all of us. And if it hadn't been for VB (and our slightly embarrassing crushes on a certain Spaniard), my life would be a lot less fun. So thanks VB!

VB, as bebe says, "enriched" my life. I have done the first "crazy" thing of my life: spending an obscene amount of money to go spend 5 days in the hot sun to watch this man and his peers play a game they love, and enjoyed every minute of it, because of being a member here and catching that fever we all have. For the first time in my life, when someone laughs at me and calls me a geek, I laugh with them and invite them to join me. Seems like a small thing, but for a girl that has always wanted to be the "good girl" and never do anything anyone could look at me sideways about (and believe me, a lot of people looked a me sideways when I said I was going to my first tourney), it is huge...and freeing. Trust me, going to Cinci last year was just the start. :) I have made some lifelong friends here on this board (you guys know who you are), laughed, cried, and felt the love of hugs sent from around the world. How awesome is that? kyalpn

I absolutely love VB! For so many reasons, as many of you have mentioned, but I think the main reason, for me, is the amazing idea that so many people from all over the world can connect ......all in one wonderful place, all for one awesome purpose! It's really kind of amazing, no? VB has brought me many new friends from all over the world and I'm thankful for them all! And I've learned so much about the wonderful cultures and lifestyles of people from everywhere.....as example, if Attitudette had not posted about the live Hurtigruten cruise, I never would have been able to take the cruise online for 4 days and see the beautiful Norway coast and the lovely people living there. VB brings the world, and Rafa, to me. Doesn't get any better than that! To sum it up, VB completely enriches my life! schtz62

VB has changed my life in a lot of aspects. I "met" a lot of kind and funny and understanding people from countries and cultures from all over the world. It's a place to talk, not only about Rafa. It's a place in which we can share our worries and our joy regarding Rafa, we speculate, we deliberate, we discuss, we joke, we support each other, we cry and we laugh together!!! It's the only place I feel "safe" when Rafa loses a match or is injured and the first place I want to share my happiness when Rafa wins a tournament or achieves something great! Thanks to VB I have an autograph from Rafa, despite haven't attended a tournament ever... thanks to a member here (ladydks) that in a very thoughtful and kind gesture offered me to get a Rafa autograph for me and she sent it to me from Canada to Argentina... Or woody that offered herself to record a DVD of a match I could not watch and sent it to me by mail. VB is the best website ever!!! And I'm happy to be part of the family! piliii

I actually got a home computer and internet service once I discovered VB and found there wasn't time to check all the threads over my lunchbreak at work. I've seen Rafa at two tournaments, both because of encouragement from VBers! stroudgirl

VB has enhanced my life in many ways. Tennis was more of a casual hobby before discovering Rafa and VB, now it is a full blown obsession. No other website comes close to VB for all things Rafa. That alone is a great reason to regularly check in here, but it's the warmth, positive energy, and love that VBers share here that keeps me coming back. I'm so grateful to those that share their in-the-flesh Rafa experiences, allowing us to live virtually thru these priceless times. rafa-fan

It was an unexpected bonus to begin to talk with other members and this virtual social life soon spilled over into meeting them in person. I met our antipodean VBers first during a trip to Oz, the Ever Congenial Lillian (Aussie Mod), the Magnificent Silvamine (NZ) and later the Indomitable Ging (Aus). I still remember vividly waking up in my hotel room on my first morning in Oz not knowing which way was up and getting a call from Silvamine to arrange a meet down at Melbourne Park.. I was over 10,000 miles away from home but I still had a local connection to enjoy. Through the glorious network which is VB. I continue to marvel at the spirit of generosity between VB members. Silvamine offered for me to stay with her during my trip to NZ after just a few days together, Lillian opened her home to me the following year and dedicated a good deal of time to showing me round the Gold Coast. I have shared rooms, tournaments, tents (camping…..camping ??!! Not without VB!) and numerous days out with the fabulous UK VB contingent and have stayed on Hubcap’s sofa bed more times than I could have imagined when I simply clicked through to the VB forum. Through VB I have made friends which go beyond Rafa and tennis – of course they are all formed on a mutual admiration and love for the man himself. And what a great foundation for friendship that is. I have also been lucky to travel to places and attended tournaments which I simply wouldn't have done had I not made friends here. loobyloo

I've been thinking about this for a couple of days...It's hard for me to speak about VB without talking about Rafa...A friend of mine told me about VB and once I came over I felt like it was Christmas! There was all this info about Rafa in one place and no one bashed him...it was all about the LOVE! I find VB to be a safe place to speak about Rafa without being judged or misunderstood. I can squeeeeeeeeeeee and voice concerns. I have felt accepted, cared about and encouraged to "join" in the community here. Holly

I have done things I would never have thought I would have done, I went to the 02 in 2009 on my own but not alone as I met up with other VBs for the first time, including CathieB who later would ask me "What do you think of going to Monte Carlo?" Desire to see Rafa on clay overcame fear and off we went for an adventure of a lifetime. Thanks to Mac we got home again to be able to do it again the next year, this time with even more VBs there to add to the fun. I have been to Queens in the rain, Wimbledon in the sun, WTF in the cold but it is the people from vamosbrigade who make the tournaments for me. cockneygirl

I have struggled with what I want to say all week. Its really hard to put into words the ways in which VB has impacted my life...wait...I don't want to get all emo....but that may not be help-ed. Having VB to follow the remarkable Rafa and his brilliant career has been one of the nicest and more positive experiences of my life. No kidding. Its so fulfilling to have virtual and in some cases literal friends from around the world. VB has been and will continue to be my social networking site. Its my first stop in the morning and my last before I go to bed. I can't imagine a better way to engage in all the highs and lows of The Rafia, The Armada, The Marc, and The Man Himself. Experiencing Rafa getting his Prince Austrias (is that right?) with all of you, when Ingrid Bettencourt described listening to his RG victories during her captivity, and how meeting him "face to face" was an inspiration to her, this was when I decided hell or high water I was going to a tournament so I could have my face to face moment. Through VB I hope to fulfill a bucklist dream...I want to camp in the queue at Wimbledon. I hope to barge in on the gin and tonic gals next summer. rudy3

VB has changed my life in ways I'd have never thought of. I now own a tent. That's all down to VB. The main enrichment to my life has been the people I've met through VB, people I would never have met in a lifetime of Sunday's otherwise. Complete strangers who I struck up online friendships with have become dear and I hope lifelong friends. I'd never physically met three of them before when I joined them for my first camping foray to Wimbledon in 2007, and when we met it was as if we'd always known each other. Others have thrown open their homes to me to stay, driven me down motorways and through cities I'd never have the testicular fortitude to do myself, randomly offered me tickets to accompany them to tournaments as their guest, and I've been to places I'd have never gone to otherwise. Pretty damn awesome for a website to have been the catalyst for that! And I'll always be grateful for that, even when Rafa's back on Mallorca, retired, going out fishing and raising his family. woody

I've discovered you in 2007, just after Roland Garros and since i've met lot of people thanks to you, from many places and countries: LZ, Mac, Flo, Daisy, Reiko, Moondancer, Angela, Yulia ; and about to meet some others here in Montreal: Legolasfemelle, Ladydks, Holina, Jen, and maybe Bebe next year in RG. Some are even very very good friends now (Johanne, July62, Dani, Ckeduboneur).

I don't really know what to say, i'm just really grateful.
I'd like to say that I have been in love with VB for 5 years now and every day I go on to the site. I miss VB when I am on holidays.

I love to read the posts, the comments about Rafa, and all the information about our champ. VB is an international site and this is wonderful to read comments from people all around the world. VB is really a treasure !

After a certain Spaniard caught my attention at the French Open in 2007, I started searching out websites about him and came across VB. I lurked for a long time and finally posted early in 2008 (I think!). Then in 2009 I attended a VB Grand Day Out at Wimbledon. It's very out of character for me to go along to things on my own where I don't know anyone, but it's one of the best things I've ever done. I've made some wonderful friends, many of whom I've been fortunate enough to meet. I've camped at Wimbledon, been to the tournament at Monte Carlo and screamed my lungs out at the WTF. None of which I would have done without VB. Hubcap

VB is the most wonderful site—the first I check every morning and the last every night (and often as possible in between). I appreciate the news, pics, articles, scans, tweets, facebook postings, incredible insights, on the ground reports, vids, stats—you name it. If it’s about Rafa it is here and I love it! The community of VB is also an absolute treasure! I have met so many friends online around the globe and fortunately in person too! We all have this shared language—the common denominator of Rafa and through that I have gotten to know so many wonderful caring,, fantastic people—we cheer and oooh and ahhhh and bite our nails, and hold each others collective hands—we cry tears of joy and of sorrow. Many of us share this experience—a huge part of our lives—only with fellow VBers--those who get it—an experience I will hopefully have for many years to come cheering on the world’s greatest champion! suzyq

Wow! After reading everybody's posts, it's hard to say anything that hasn't already been talked about. This is the first fansite I have ever been on..since I joined back in 2006, I, too was a lurker. Always too scared to post, so I just came here every single day to read everything I could find about this guy named Rafael Nadal. I already had a huge amount of respect and love for him. I have even more with each passing day. I truly don't believe there's another person in the world like Rafa, and having VB to come to each day has become a huge part of my daily routine..I almost got in big trouble at work because I was on the website too often, so now I've learned to be sneaky when I'm at work (like right now)

I canjustsaythankyouverymuch to VB, all the mods and all the people I have never met, but I feel like you're all my friends because we all share a common bond..The love of Rafa! Happy 5th Birthday! Please don't ever go away.
VB is a safe haven for me if I want to read about Rafa and Rafa alone. The volume of Rafa information on this forum and the pace at which new articles, videos and other material are added is almost unreal. And there is no rubbish from haters. I used to suffer on other message-boards from 2005-2008 when I never understood the attitudes of certain individuals towards Rafa. It is so great to have the opportunity to interact exclusively with people who are Rafa fans. And a lot of them are very polite, nice and helpful, so VB has undoubtedly made the internet a more fun and friendly place for me.
It's difficult to know how to add to what has already been so eloquently expressed. I too think that the new friends I have made are the best thing about VB - it was amazing to travel to the other side of the globe and have friends to go out to dinner with in Queensland ( Lillian!) and the VB Grand Days Out and Grand Weekend Away have been great fun. The way the VB gang looked after me when I put my back out was truly wonderful, and to experience their care was something incredibly positive to come out of a situation which in the main wasn't very positive! Thank you again guys.
I didn't know anything about tennis until I saw RAFA play at RG 07...I became a fan ever since and then stumbled upon VB, looking up for more infos about RAFA and I'm hooked. RAFA and VB makes me happy!!!

VB is a "phenomenon" that has enriched my life; it's an addiction that I don't want to be cured of. I plan my life around Rafa's playing schedule (check my calendar if you don't believe me) and God bless the caring and thoughtful kindred spirits that I have met here who faithfully text me the scores of Rafa's matches when life or work intrudes and I can't watch the match, or follow a live score board, or check in on the Cheering thread. I count many as dear friends: even if we haven't actually met, we know each other. VB is indeed a Rafa Wiki and a global community that has introduced me to the cultures of many different countries. Like others, I'm compelled to check VB first thing in the morning and before I go to sleep at night. Rafa fans are special and VB members are the most special of all. They're an accurate reflection of Rafa's best attributes: I truly believe that we do him proud. Oh - and thanks to MAC's apparently inexhaustible patience, I've learned a little something about how to put up a home page. elise

I was not very computer literate so it took me a long time to figure out how to find out about him, plus I had a teenager who hogged the computer. But I knew I could go to VB and find out what time of day the matches were. But I was too nervous to be a member. But as soon as I joined I felt so at home. I found out so much about Rafa and although I thought I knew everything about him, I knew nothing. I learned so much about him here and my admiration for Rafa as a person grew and grew. So many VB'ers know so much more about strategy than I did and I really learned a lot. Then there is the fact that I can speak a little Spanish now. I have learned so much about the culture of other countries and I feel a real sense of community and more compassion in my heart for others. When I hear something sad in the news from a country and I know someone is a VB'er from there, I worry about that person. It is really as someone said, an enriching experience. I also was brave enough to go to a tourney with someone I knew only from here. It turned out to be the thrill of my life other than family of course. I feel like I have friends all over the world and brought me one good local friend that I may never have met otherwise. jharper

We celebrate our fifth anniversary next week so once again I'd like to thank everybody for their tireless efforts in bringing us all there is to know about Rafa. It's been a wonderful experience and I have made some brilliant friends. I hope we will continue for many more years.

Before I become over emotional I just have one thing left to say -