STUART McCall continues the assessment of his team-mates from the 1998-1999 season who took City to the Premiership.

JAMIE LAWRENCE

When I first joined, Jamie used to take me out for a game of snooker. But he stopped asking after I gave him a few lessons!

He was somebody you needed in that team with his work ethic. He used to come in from the right side and help me and Whal in the middle of the park.

He could tackle, he could run, he was physically strong.

On a Friday, we’d have a cone game in training because Jags (Paul Jewell) didn’t want too much contact. You’d go in and out of four cones and pass it back to the next lad.

Jamie was always the last pick and he knew it, so he’d glare at you selecting the teams.

But the number of times the cones had to have treatment afterwards because he just steamrollered all over them rather than go round – and if you knocked a cone down, your team had to do 10 press-ups!

GARETH WHALLEY

Another of the quieter ones with a wand of a left foot. He was a classy player and you could tell he’d been schooled at Crewe.

He played nearly every game that season and had great technical ability.

But Beags used to hammer him because he had quite big ears. He’d look over at the opposition and tell Gaz, ‘listen in on their team talk will you and tell us what they're saying?’

PETER BEAGRIE

He was nicknamed Foghorn for good reason. I can talk but you’d always hear Beags before you saw him.

He was ruthless with his banter and his razor-sharp wit.

But as a player, left or right foot, he was terrific with his crossing ability and shooting. He was also really good in the air for a wide man and didn’t mind getting a tackle in.

But he couldn’t half talk. He was the loudest man I’ve ever known.

LEE SHARPE

Sharpey played on the right for a few games and Jamie played right back.

He was another good storyteller but was quite quiet, not what you’d expect coming from Man United. He did enjoy himself off the park and would be one of those like Jamie who would always stay out a lot later than us older guys.

GORDON WATSON

He probably would have wanted to play more than he did and he had a few injuries that season – but what an impact he had.

Flash produced some big moments that got us big points.

People always remember when he came on against Barnsley and scored after 87 and 89 minutes. But there was also the winner he scored as a sub with a great header when we played them away.

He had a bit of a swagger and would always have a story, he was good company.

What a good finisher as well and he certainly proved to be a man for the big occasion.

ISAIAH RANKIN

Ranks came with a big price tag on his head but was another very quiet one.

He chipped in with a few goals and was really sharp in and around the box. We had all different types of strikers but he was probably the only one who could get in behind with his pace.

LEE MILLS

He was another million-pound signing like Ranks and moved in just round the corner from me. Whal was also on the estate next to mine and Beags’.

Millsy was another great finisher, left and right foot and with his head. You’d say he was a typical centre-forward but he had a good touch for a big man.

He wasn’t just a lump, although he was strong in the air.

He enjoyed the banter when it was flying about with that Brummie accent but he didn’t get too much stick.

ROBBIE BLAKE

He’d love getting involved in the banter and would get absolutely hammered.

I’ll admit I didn’t have great dress sense but Blakey was Steptoe! He had a funny shaped body and his pre-match meal was McDonalds and fizzy pop.

But what a talented footballer. You take the highlights of him from that season, his shots, assists and goals, and you could have sold him to Real Madrid.

DEAN WINDASS

Deano won’t mind me saying that he wasn’t the brightest off the park. But he was probably one of the most intelligent footballers I’ve played with.

His understanding of the game was second to none. People think of him as a robust, strong finisher but what a touch he had.

Next week: Ian Ormondroyd gives his rundown on the players that took City to Wembley in 1996.