Alan Johnson MP is former Home Secretary as well as an award winning author. His autobiography 'This Boy' set in North Kensington has been on the best seller list since it was published in 2013.

He is just as proud to proclaim a lifelong allegiance to Queens Park Rangers.

The KC Stadium, home of Hull City, is in my constituency.

I've done my bit for the club over the years as the local MP and, as a devout football fan, thrilled to its rapid ascent from bottom tier to the Premier League.

The only time my loyalty is divided is when Hull City play Queens Park Rangers - the team I've supported since my childhood growing up in North Kensington.

I saw my first match at Loftus Road in 1959 (v Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic), trekked to White City during the vainglorious years of the early 60's and chanted "Rod-nee, Rod-nee" from the terraces during our transformation from Third Division also-rans to Wembley cup winning, top flight football sophisticates.

Sign here: League Cup hero Rodney Marsh

I'm proud of my constituency; its history, its culture, its people and indeed its sporting heritage.

But a football fan cannot change his or her allegiance to fit their circumstances. It's easier to change religion or nationality than it is to change the football team you support. So I've always been open about my lifetime commitment to QPR.

This didn't present any real conflict until Hull's heady rise brought them into the Championship and to the KC Stadium.

I remember one visit when I was a government minister.

Hair today, and...: Flavio Briatore

At half time I was introduced to Favio Briatore who seemed to think that, as Health Secretary, I could help with some planning issues at Loftus Road.

I asked him if the rumours that he was looking to move the club away from Shepherd's Bush were true. He assured me they weren't and added, by way of emphasis, that he'd be mad to leave the current ground 'because it's only fifteen minutes from Harrods.' (I think he travels by helicopter!)

On Saturday, my team was back at the KC with both teams embroiled in a relegation dogfight.

For me there were two issues of particular note about the match, one because it was so unusual and the other because it has become wearily familiar.

Debut: Darnell Furlong

The rarity was that Rangers gave a debut to Darnell Furlong, son of that great Rangers stalwart Paul, and a product of the youth academy.

I haven't seen a home grown player in the first team since a lad named Tom Hitchcock contributed to a thriller by coming off the bench to score the winner in a Championship match against Ipswich in 2013.

As a statement of intent by Chris Ramsey and Les Ferdinand the message couldn't have been clearer. It was reinforced by Michael Doughty's inclusion amongst the substitutes.

Seeing red: Barton goes at the KC Stadium

The more familiar occurrence was Joey Barton's dismissal in the 32nd minute of a game we were already losing.

Joey was clearly trying to protect young Furlong who had committed a clumsy foul and was being harangued by City players. But as Barton said himself in the inevitable tweet, he let the team down.

What followed was a spirited performance.

A magnificent Charlie Austin header from a perfect Matt Phillips cross meant we were level by half time.

Rob Green looks dejected at the end of the match

Rio Ferdinand rolled back the years. Niko Krancjar was majestic in midfield, and Rob Green produced an unbelievable save.

Unfortunately, the Tigers got the winning goal 11 seconds after, and the deserved draw was snatched away. I obviously want both these clubs to survive in the Premier League, and I'm much more confident that they will after seeing this match.

Above all it was Darnell Furlong's terrific debut that fuelled my optimism. The mercenaries have gone. The home grown kids are coming back.