"My dad was a City fan, my mum was a City fan, they were proud as punch their son captained their team into the First Division."
The latest Subs Bench has dropped and it features one of the faces of Bristol City, not just in his pomp during his playing days across the 1960s, 70s and 80s, but across the entire history of the club.
For 15 years, the proud Bristolian who grew up 10 minutes from Ashton Gate, lived the dream holding down the "best job in the world" as he led his boyhood team, with the undoubted highlight being the 1975/76 promotion season.
Speaking to Richard Latham and Nigel Turner, Merrick admits that memorable campaign is almost a blur to him now due to the overall excitement of the achievement and the fact so little footage actually exists.
Evidence of Merrick's consistency and longevity as a cultured and stoic centre-back over 433 appearances for the Robins lies in the fact his two Player of the Year awards were won eight years apart.
Merrick discusses why his much-vaunted transfer to Arsenal broke down, the might of Gerry Gow but why the legendary midfielder wasn't the most complete footballer he played alongside.
Based in Nailsea and a true son of the West Country, Merrick also questions the commitment of the modern footballer and if they can possess the same level of passion and attachment as those who lined up in red in his heyday.
As usual, it's an episde not to be missed with part two coming next week.
