Northern fights

Having followed my beloved Orient up and down the country, I've lost count of the times burly northerners in short sleeves have given us stick for being southern softies. (Or words to that effect.)

So I was amused to learn this week that northern lads are really mummy's boys at heart. Research from comparison site rightmobilephone.co.uk finds almost 60 per cent of the time Mancunian fellas spend on the phone is devoted to mother, dearest.

Leeds and Newcastle completed the top three, while hard-hearted chaps in Glasgow, Luton, Coventry, Oxford and Cardiff use much less than 10 per cent of their precious minutes on their ma.

This is handy stuff. Next time the Os head up to Elland Road, I'll ingratiate myself with the locals with a bit of good-natured banter about their mothers.