As they drew level and noticed the microphone, they started to shout at us. "Lowe out" and "sack him" they called. "You're obviously popular with the players," I said to Gary, and quick as a flash he shot back: "Players? That's the board of directors."
To me, that incident sums up Gaz Lowe who died in Spain on October 23 at the ridiculously young age of 61. It highlights the spark inside him, the impishness that played such a huge part in his success within football — and made him the ideal interviewee.
I first met Gary in 1984 when Peter Wragg signed him for Hyde United hoping to use his talents as a creative midfielder. He didn't stay long and our paths rarely crossed again until 2000 when he replaced Joe Murty as boss of Curzon, who were then playing in the North West Counties League.
They had just won promotion to the first division by finishing second to a Woodley Sports side led by a promising young manager called Gary Lowe.
In his 11 years with the Nash, Gary achieved one of the two towering achievements of his career. In November, 2008, Curzon beat Exeter City 3-2 in the first round of the FA Cup. It was the kind of battling David-and-Goliath victory that the FA Cup is all about because not only were Exeter in League Two, they won promotion at the end of the season.
I still recall the mixture of horror and disbelief in the eyes of former Spurs midfielder Steve Perryman who was then Exeter's director for football.
Gary's other landmark success was to turn a Hyde United side that had finished 19th the previous season into the National League North champions in 2011-12.
It's fair to say many Tigers fans weren't impressed when the appointment was announced. Some thought it was favouritism on the part of director Ted Davies who had been with Gary at Crystal Palace. Others felt a club of Hyde's stature needed someone with experience at a higher level than the NWCL and NPL first division north. Players like Dave Birch would be out of their depth in the National League.
Yet Gary quickly gained their respect. Hyde won their first ten games of the campaign to beat the record set by Les Sutton's squad in 1972. His team played stylish football and the opposition struggled to win possession. By the spring, the Tigers were champions and Dave Birch had become one of the club's most popular players of the 21st century.
During the match, Gary was always on the touchline, bawling instructions, and preferring an open-neck shirt and overcoat to a club-branded tracksuit. Post-match, he was available to everyone — glass of red wine in hand and a smile on his face. I never had to spend half-an-hour waiting for him. Win or lose he was always out of the dressing room with a few minutes and ready to talk.
Birchy, who knew Gary better than most, isn't embarrassed to admit that he has been left deeply affected by the loss not only of a great manager, but also of a very close friend.
He said: "I've posted a tweet saying that heaven's got a really, really big character and that's the truth. Gary was a very funny man and a character in every way, and he wanted characters in his dressing room. He wanted people who would run through brick walls for him.
"Gary had that quality that he could scream and shout at you but after the game you'd be standing at the bar having a drink with him. You never felt any animosity. He just knew how to get the best out of players. I don't think people realise the impact he had.
"He was a massive part of my life. He was like a father figure and taught me a lot. When I moved into management he continued helping me with advice and in finding players.
"I'm heartbroken to have lost a friend, and that Gary never lived to hold Gio, his grandson by his daughter Zoe who was born a fortnight ago. He'd only seen him on Facetime and I think he was hoping to fly over next week.
"His son Benito plays for us at New Mills and Gary was immensely proud of him. Benito has already been in touch saying he wants to play tomorrow and I'll have to consider him for selection, otherwise I'll have Gary shouting down at me.
"At least Gary passed away in Quesada, where he part-owned a successful bar. We spoke a lot and he was always happy. He loved the place and the sunshine. But he's gone far too soon. Far, far too soon."