Nicknamed 'Bond' by his Liverpool team-mates, John Scales was as stylish on the pitch as he was off it. Apart from when he wore one of those horrendous cream suits before the 1996 FA Cup final.

A cultured defender of the modern era, Scales ironically rose to prominence with long-ball merchants Wimbledon.

He signed for the Dons in July 1987 after starting his career with Bristol Rovers. A year later he came on as sub in an unfamiliar strikers' role in the famous 1988 FA Cup final, when the Crazy Gang shocked the football world by beating strong favourites Liverpool.

In September 1994 Scales moved to Anfield in a deal worth £3.5 million and the ball-playing centre half helped the Reds win the Coca Cola League Cup at Wembley, beating Bolton Wanderers 2-1, in his first season.

In 1996 he began to suffer from niggling injury problems and was sold to Tottenham Hotspur. Unfortunately injuries restricted his appearances at White Hart Lane and he moved on a free transfer to Ipswich Town in 2000.

However, injuries brought a premature end to his playing career and he released from the club in 2001. After winning three England caps in 1995, Scales went on to coach the England beach soccer team.

He is now a company chairman with events management company Be Sport, who organise tournaments for schools.

Scales spoke to Weekend Wonders at the start of the freestyle football 24 hour world record attempt by Dan Magness, in association with PlayStation Freestylers. Dan succeeded in keeping the ball up for 24 hours .

What are your memories of Sunday League football?
I remember the ring-round on a Sunday morning, with the manager trying to get a team together. I used to try to eat something with a hangover to try and get me through the game.

Turning up and hoping the kit was there, wondering what state the pitch was going to be in, whether I was going to get elbowed in the first five minutes or the second five minutes, crunching tackles and all that.

Great memories of Sunday League football, great banter in the dressing room and a great bunch of lads.

I played Sunday League as a young boy up until I was 17 before I joined Leeds United. I played for the Mens’ Catholic Club, bizarrely, and Pannal Ash FC in Harrogate.

Do you remember the worst pitch you played on?
At non-league level they were all pretty shocking week in, week out. As a professional the worst pitch I played on was at Twerton Park when I played for Bristol Rovers.

I remember half the team on the pitch with Bobby Gould before the game forking the pitch. That was a disgraceful pitch.

What were your favourite boots as an amateur?
Puma Kings. I loved them.

Any tips for playing with a hangover?
Call in sick. Believe it or not, even when I played for Wimbledon I used to have a fry up on the day of the game.

The worst preparation possible, and it was a habit I picked up playing Sunday League football.

I wouldn’t recommend that, I’d recommend drinking lots of water before you go to sleep… but you don’t want to wet the bed!

Get out there and hope for the best because you don’t know what state you’re going to end up in. Get through the first half hour and you’ve cracked it.

I play like
Rio Ferdinand is my favourite player in the modern game. He’s got every attribute that a centre half should have. He’s a phenomenal player.

I could never be considered in the same class as Rio, but we share similarities in our playing style.

I played centre-forward and right wing before I switched to centre-back and I think doing that gave me the ability to feel comfortable on the ball.

Other people say I play like
Some people mentioned Alan Hansen, which was a great compliment. The press always speculate you’re going to be the ‘next this’ the ‘next that’, but it’s not for the players to say.

I never achieved what he did in the game, but he was the sort of player I tried to emulate.

Best football achievement
Playing for your country is the pinnacle of any player’s career. I played for England in the Umbro Cup in 1995, but it was no major championship.

Playing for Liverpool in the FA Cup final in 1996 (Manchester United 1 – 0 Liverpool), after I’d played at Wembley in 1988 (Wimbledon 1 – 0 Liverpool) and come on as a sub, was very special.

Playing for such a prestigious club at Wembley, one I’d always wanted to play for, was a tremendous platform to reach and one I will always remember.

Worst moment in football
Losing the 1996 FA Cup final. Massively disappointing. I was also very disappointed with my time at Spurs. Injuries prevented me from finishing my career on a high.

I expected to play alongside Sol Campbell week in, week out, but it didn’t turn out that way.

Best player in our team
Robbie Fowler. When he first broke into the team he showed what a phenomenal talent he was. Great player – worked hard, scored goals and was as a gifted a player as I’d ever seen.

Team supported
Liverpool.

Football hero
Franco Baresi. He was the player I loved to watch. Alan Hansen was also another player I admired for his ability to play out from the back.

Football villain
Ex-team-mate Vinny Jones. He’s the biggest villain I’ve ever come across. The opposition didn’t like playing against him and he was quite a villain in the changing room. You never rested easy when he was about.

Why I’m a Weekend Wonder
I’ve had a passion for football since I was kicking a ball around the playground and smashing windows. Any chance I got I would be playing football. I love it. It’s getting faster, strong and better with every year.
 
Previous Park Legends include:
Mark Noble
Martin Peters
Joe Corrigan
Chris Kamara
Dermot Gallagher
Ruud Gullit
Nyron Nosworthy
Graeme Sharp
Tamika Mkandawire
Willie Johnston
Alan Birchenall
Steve Walsh
Danny Wallace
Luther Blissett
Paul Elliott
Don Goodman
Jamie Lawrence