OF ALL the memories I took from my playing days, Graham Taylor was responsible for one of the finest.
It was certainly the greatest moment of my England career — my very first international goal.
Twenty minutes from the end of a World Cup qualifier in Poland, in May 1993, we were a goal down when Graham sent me on.
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There were only about five minutes left when Tony Dorigo put one in from the left and I met it on the half volley at the far post to equalise.
It was my ninth England cap, my first goal for them and I’ll never forget the feeling of scoring for my country.
Just like I will never forget Graham for giving me the chance to do so.
Everyone knows we didn’t see eye to eye at times because I was disappointed not to get more starts. We had some massive rows about it in his office but there were no grudges held and, in my book, that says a lot about the man.
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And as much as it may have hurt at the time, I have to say he made the right decisions for England as well.
I was coming through in a strange period, with Gary Lineker at the end of his career and Alan Shearer at the start of his.
But you look at the number of international goals that Shearer got, and you have to say Graham was spot on with his choice.
Whenever we would “discuss” things in his office, we would always end on good terms and you can’t always say that about a player and manager relationship.
English football has lost one of its genuine good guys.
