"Why did the box need security guards?"

When I got the call, it sounded like a routine AA Fuel Assist recovery job. The driver of a Renault on its way to London inadvertently topped up with the wrong fuel. I know that sounds ludicrous, but believe me it’s easy to do and happens often. Especially if your mind is on something else.

When I arrived, there were two burly guys there as well as the driver. I don’t know why exactly, but this struck me as a bit odd. Anyway, I was there to do a job, so I got on with it. As I was loading the car onto the back of my lorry I noticed that there was a rather large black box sitting on the back seat. I also noticed that the burly guys were glancing at their watches, so I asked them if they were in a hurry. They nodded and said “Yeah, we really need to get to London soon.” I got a move on.

As we were driving off, the driver of the Renault got a call on his mobile. When he’d finished the call (which was rather short and not so sweet by the look on his face) he told me to stop the lorry and take the car off the back; they were going to take a chance and drive it back to the headquarters of the FA in London. I told him that I didn’t recommend that and anyway what was so important that they would take that risk?

Well, it turned out that in the black box on the back seat was the FA Cup and it was needed for an important photo shoot. I asked if I could have a photo of me holding it, but was politely and firmly told no. As I watched them drive off, I thought of how close I had been to fulfilling a boyhood dream!

Paul Gardner, AA Fuel Assist Patrol