Tony Adams, one of English football's most memorable characters despite its change in the 1990s and a one-club man with Arsenal, celebrates his 46th birthday today.
Adams made 669 appearances for the Gunners and scored 48 goals for his boyhood club, winning four titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and a Uefa Cup Winners' Cup over a 20-year career at Highbury.
He endeared himself to opposition supporters as well not just for his commitment with England, but because of his response to referee David Elleray once.
Elleray, the headmaster at Harrow School, emerged as one of the most authoritative yet patronising officials as a referee in the 90s. When miked up for Arsenal's visit to Millwall's Den in the 1989/90 season, he incurred the wrath of Adams.
"F****** cheat," Adams exclaimed after Arsenal were not awarded a goal. He got a talking to, but it is a rare and audible moment of a footballer standing up to an official who revelled in talking down to players irrespective of their size.