SIMON GARNER 41, former Blackburn Rovers goal-scoring hero

MEMORY: Playing football with my dad when I was about five in the garden at our home in Fishtoft, near Boston, Lincolnshire. My dad used to run a couple of teams, including Boston FC Colts, so I was introduced to the game early.

HOLIDAY: We used to go to Mablethorpe or Skegness in Lincolnshire every year for two weeks. We met up with two families from Louth, including my mum's sister and all her kids. There were about 20 of us and we used to play cricket on the beach.

JOB: I always wanted to be a footballer and was signed by Blackburn Rovers as an apprentice when I was 16, straight from school. I had been for trials at other clubs but they were the ones who showed faith in me.

HOUSE: A flat in Blackburn after I signed for Rovers. It's a long way from Lincolnshire but I knew when I got to 16 I would have to move away.

PET: Never had any.

RECORD: It's nearly 30 years ago now and I can't honestly remember, but it would be something by Michael Jackson. I was a big fan at the time but you don't hear much about him now; he's just counting his money.

CAR: A Ford Escort. I didn't pass my test until I was 18, by which time I was a professional player.

LOVE: It has to be football. I didn't have much time for women - I had a sheltered upbringing!

PROFESSIONAL MATCH: 1979, playing for Rovers away at Newcastle United. I didn't score a goal at that match but I scored more than 270 in my professional career, 192 of them for Blackburn Rovers. I now live in Berkshire, where I am a painter and decorator.

LIE: I was riding two on a bike and a police officer stopped us. I told my mum and dad it wasn't me. I didn't get a whack for it, I never used to get whacked, but I think I was grounded for a week.

EMBARRASSMENT: Losing my swimming trunks in the outdoor swimming pool in Boston. I used to go swimming with my dad on a Sunday morning and I remember the pool was quite busy at the time.