During a night out at the football with Alliance & Leicester last week, Home of Choice’s Mal McConechy hung back before kick-off to engage in conversation with an attentive hostess. Despite calling for him, OTR eventually had to go and sit down. Mal arrived later, denying he had been getting the low-down on the hospitality industry, claiming he had just ordered a beer and didn’t want to waste it. Mal certainly has his priorities right, then.

Some people, however, are less keen on getting the beers in. When James Smith, PR whizz at Vision Network, offered to buy OTR a beer at an industry bash this week, we were a touch worried – and quite rightly. Back in April last year, a red-faced Smith confessed to having forgotten his wallet when meeting for drinks, and he managed to let the side down, again. Having disappeared into the throng at the bar, he resurfaced, red-faced with a distinct absence of the amber nectar. Three strikes and you are out, Smith.

OTR found that three is a crowd while meeting with Ian McKenna of FTRC. While debating the rights and wrongs of the mortgage market at Home House, an incredibly large dog – presumably a member of the prestigious private club – appeared, taking an avid interest in Ian and his belongings. Luckily its owner pulled the beast away before it swallowed Ian’s mobile phone whole.

OTR has decided on a new team mascot after a trip to Wembley with GMAC-RFC supremo Jeff Knight last week. OTR was more entertained by a lady sitting in the stands than the football itself. “Come on, hassle them, don’t Hasselbaink,” and “one minute of extra time, there is one minute of extra time,” were chants that became instant classics in OTR’s eyes. The woman has been drafted in to accompany OTR on lunches, coffees and interviews from now on. n