My one big regret is that I didn’t play on for 10 more years.

Cristiano Ronaldo's was the most exciting debut I've ever seen. There have been a few players described as 'The New George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me.

Me and a mate picked up two darling birds and they took us back to their flat. I went into the bedroom with my bird and she started getting undressed. I was that drunk I was standing there wondering how to get undressed without letting go of the award. I went to sit on the bed, missed it by four feet and ended up lying on the floor. I remember the bird looking down at me, and saying, ‘Some player of the year.’ Then I fell asleep. I woke up still clutching my award and staggered out of the flat. I hadn’t a bloody clue where I was.

Even at the height of my fame, 50 per cent of the people who saw me wanted a fight; it’s the downside of being a star player.

When they first installed all-seater stadiums everyone predicted that the fans wouldn't stand for it

That's what children do - throw food. That's not fighting. We were real men. We'd have chinned them.

Maybe 'loner' is too strong a word, but I've always enjoyed being on my own.