I retired after the 87/88 season but had already let a few people know that the FA Cup final that year would be my last game because my sister Fay was very ill after a tragic accident in Morocco. I had to bring her to England and put her in hospital and it all became a bit too much for me. I wanted to go home to Australia to look after her.
You didn't play in the 1988 FA Cup final against Wimbledon did you?
I didn't start the game but I did get on for the last 10 minutes. After that I never put on a pair of boots again.
You've been quoted as saying you've fallen out of love with football. Is that true?
I guess I overdosed on the game. I remember how, after training, I had a key and would sneak back into Melwood to practise by myself for two or three extra hours. Football was my life but because I was Australian I felt I was missing out in terms of living life in my homeland. I was disillusioned with the deck of cards my sister had been dealt and I was re-evaluating what I wanted to do.
Do you regret giving up so young?
Not in any way. I was very proud of what I had achieved at Liverpool - five Championships, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup.
What do you think about today's game?
There's too much football and not all of it is as good as it should be. Someone has to make a stand to reduce the number of games being played. Players who come back from World Cups and European Championships are knackered for domestic games. Then there's the money problem. Too much of it is flowing out of the game instead of being directed at the grass roots.
Do you have a soft spot for Liverpool?
Very much so - the club, the city and the people. I love the game now far more than I ever did as a player. I don't think Gerard Houllier gets the credit he deserves. With brains and passion you can go a long way and Houllier has both.
