What was the best moment of your career?

It is everyone’s dream to play in the FA Cup final when you are a lad growing up so it was by far the best thing in my career. We had only just avoided relegation. We beat Ipswich in our last game a few weeks before and I had been dropped for that game. I was panicking whether I was going to play in the final or not. Luckily, I got the shirt over John Ebbrell, which was a shame for him. Manchester United were expecting an easy win because we had struggled all season. But we were difficult to beat after Joe Royle took over as manager from Mike Walker and were there to spoil it, which we did. Once Joe took over, the run we had was the equivalent of a team in the top six. I had a steady final. I was more of a defensive midfielder. I was covering the back four and most of my work was done off camera and off the ball. Playing at Wembley is special, which is why I don’t agree with the semi-finals being played there. It should only be the final, making it more special and a better achievement. The most I remember about the day was the walk about before the game, seeing my mum and dad in the crowd and family and friends and then trying to swap shirts after the game. The match itself passed so quickly. Afterwards, none of the United players were swapping shirts but I managed to get one off Lee Sharpe. The United players weren’t in the best of moods and I asked a few and they said no. It was only Barry Horne and I who got shirts. He got one off Mark Hughes through the Welsh connection. Lee Sharpe said he would swap it in the bar afterwards and I thought there was no chance so I carried on celebrating. We swapped shirts later.

Who was the best player you played against?

The Manchester United team were all good. Ryan Giggs and David Beckham and then there was Alan Shearer at Blackburn. There was no one best player.

What was the best thing about being a footballer in your era?

You get a good living, you meet some great people and you keep fit. For me it was the love of the game. Wherever I went as a kid I had a football in my hand and it was something I thought I would always do.

What was the worst thing about football in your era?

My injury. My last game was when I was 26. I ripped my cartilage and despite operation after operation it kept ripping and I was forced to retire.

Who was the best manager you played under?

Joe Royle. We were struggling and I had no confidence. When he came in he gave everybody confidence. I then became a regular in the team. I also played under Walter Smith, Howard Kendall and Tony Pulis, who signed me for Bournemouth from Wigan Athletic and that changed my life. I never had a bad manager.

Who is the best player today?

There are so many. The game has changed so much with clubs bringing in foreign players. There are too many to mention, but we’ve got some great players at Everton: Phil Jagielka, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta.

What is the worst thing about the game today?

Diving. I was a no-nonsense player and have the view that a good tackle is just as good as taking three people on and passing them. It is a skill you need to learn and a good tackle is as good as a good free kick. With diving you can’t do that. It is spoiling the game.

AND NOW?

I am now working for a mate as a builder, doing all sorts of odd jobs. I have been doing it for less than a year and learning lots of new things and I can now do things around the house, which my wife gets on to me to do. Before that I worked in a warehouse for six years, which was my first proper job. I am also doing my Uefa B course coaching badge in Scotland. I will start at Preston in July with the under-nines and my aim is to be an academy coach at Everton.