A FEW weeks ago on this page we featured in the 25 years column a snippet about two firemen receiving long service and good conduct awards.

One of the men was Joseph Hackney, who at the time worked at Whitefield fire station and lived in Rochford Avenue.

The article sparked off some fond memories for Joe, who popped into the office to share some of his stories.

Now living in Wyndham Park, off Clifton Road, Prestwich, Joe is aged 70 and in his life he has met quite a few famous people.

Back in 1948, as a youngster, he played for Salford Boys with Harold Riley, who went on to become a painter famous for his portraits of Her Majesty the Queen.

He was also friends with Albert Finney, the actor, while attending Salford Grammar School, in Leaf Square.

But one of his more memorable experiences was when he met the American boxing star, Joe Louis in 1963.

"It's a photo of the two Joes," he said, "Joe Louis had been doing a tour of the boxing clubs in the north west when he visited the Gainsborough Club in Salford. That was my local club and we had our picture taken."