Born in Southampton on 3 March 1972, winger Darren Anderton breaks into south coast rivals Portsmouth's team as a teenager

In 1992, he plays a key role in Pompey's FA Cup run, scoring against Liverpool in the semi-final before they lose the replay on penalties

That Cup run draws attention from Tottenham Hotspur boss Terry Venables, who pays �1.75m for him in the summer of 1992

When Ossie Ardiles becomes manager, Anderton is part of a star-studded forward line with Teddy Sheringham and Jurgen Klinsmann

Venables takes over as England coach in 1994, and hands Anderton his first full cap in his first game in charge, against Denmark

With Anderton and Steve McManaman on the wings, Venables' England reach the semi-finals of the European Championship in 1996

Injuries limit his appearances for Tottenham over the next two seasons, leading him to be dubbed "Sicknote" by some opposing fans

Nearly two years after winning his 16th cap in 1996, he returns to the England squad ahead of the World Cup in 1998 - with a young David Beckham now his rival for the right-midfield spot

Boss Glenn Hoddle controversially prefers Anderton to Beckham for the first two group games against Tunisia and Romania

But they play together in the final group game against Colombia - and both score spectacular goals - however, England go out in round two

The only domestic medal of his career is won in 1999 when Tottenham beat Leicester 1-0 to lift the Worthington (League) Cup

He continues to impress at club level, and is reunited with Hoddle after the ex-England boss takes over at White Hart Lane in 2001

But injuries hamper his hopes of a regular England place - his last five caps come over three years, incredibly under five different managers

After scoring 37 goals in 305 Premier League appearances in 12 years at Spurs, he is released by new manager Jacques Santini in May 2004

Steve Bruce hands him a one-year contract at Birmingham City, although he starts just nine Premier League games that season

In August 2005, he links up with Hoddle for a third time at Wolverhampton Wanderers - but stays just one season at Molineux

But rather than retire, he joins Bournemouth - the nearest club to his south coast home - and scores with a 40-yard free-kick on his debut

The first hat-trick of his career comes against Leyton Orient in 2007 - and he is named as captain by boss Kevin Bond later that year

Bournemouth are relegated to League Two in 2008 - and Anderton announces his final game will be against Chester on 6 December

Anderton leaves it late, but he rounds his career off in style as he scores in the 88th minute to give the Cherries a 1-0 win over Chester