Former Dribble! editor and TWTD contributor Alasdair Ross was surprised to find himself serving alongside a fellow soldier with a very familiar name when he was deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year.

Alasdair, who was called out of army retirement after six years to serve with 2 Rifles in Helmand province, discovered that Sergeant Major Steve Wark, 40, is in fact Town legend John's cousin.

Alasdair in Sangin

Also the serving Labour councillor for Rushmere, 47-year-old Sergeant Major Ross set about educating Steve regarding his Town connection with Know the Score Books supplying copies of Wark On, John's recently published autobiography, and the Supporters Trust sending out their Ipswich ‘Til I Die collection of fans' memories.

Steve Wark by the dam in Kajaki

Steve, like John from Glasgow, is serving in Kajaki, also with 2 Rifles. John plans to send out Town and Liverpool shirts for the Sergeants' Mess.

You can read a review and buy Wark On here for the bargain price of £13.29, while Ipswich ‘Til I Die is available here for £10.

Alasdair writes a blog which can be found here and also Tweets from Afghanistan here.

Photo: Action Images

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