WHERE have the last 10 years gone? It seems like no time since I left Scunthorpe to sign for Hull City – and what a 10 years it has been.
The big thing for me about Hull City at that time when I joined was the ambition the club showed.
I spoke to then owner Adam Pearson and manager Peter Taylor and they had big ideas about where they wanted the club to be and I was
delighted to join and be a part of that with them.
It was an easy decision to make because I was going to be playing in a brand-new 25,000-seater stadium and at a club with a massive fan base.
Like any footballer, I wanted to achieve things and I felt City was a sleeping giant waiting to wake up, and that we certainly did.
Everything was in place for the club to achieve its goals.
I couldn't wait to make my debut, but because of an injury in pre-season, when Damien Delaney clattered into me during a friendly at Canvey
Island, I missed the start.
It was a medial ligament injury and I found myself sidelined for six or seven weeks, which I found really difficult because I wanted to make an immediate impact.
I remember my home debut against Southend at the KC Stadium very well. It was a dream debut as we won 3-2 and I scored a free-kick. I also remember they missed a penalty in the closing stages.
More success followed as we had the right blend of players in the team. There were experienced pros who the young players could go up to and ask advice from.
And Peter was the perfect manager for that team.
He expected success. He made it clear to us all that nothing less than promotion would be good enough. I remember we drew 1-1 at Leyton
Orient, which some players thought was a decent result, but in a team meeting a few days later, Peter told us it was not good enough if we were to achieve our goals.
He was right. From then on we were determined to win every game we played, knowing winning breeds
success. Peter brought that winning mentality to our team that ended up with us finishing second, four points behind Doncaster.
We won promotion the next season too, finishing second to Luton and then Peter left the club. I was sad to see him leave but Crystal Palace was a good opportunity for him.
Phil Parkinson replaced him as our manager, although he wasn't there long. Phil Brown came on board as his assistant and took over as permanent manager when we were deep in a relegation battle.
I enjoyed playing under Phil as he played a massive part in my career.
He turned things round brilliantly at the club and steered us to safety with a famous result at Cardiff on the final day of the season.
Phil was not only a great man but he was also a great manager.
His enthusiasm was second to none and that helped take the team from the bottom end of the Championship to third the following year.
His bubbliness rubbed off on everyone around the club and he would often take us all out for a meal so we could get used to the other members of staff.
Like Peter, Phil expected success.
Without him, I would not have had the opportunities I got with City and I thank him for that.
After Iain Dowie's short spell at the club, and our relegation, Nigel Pearson was appointed manager.
I know some fans didn't warm to him but he was different with the players. He came in and got on very well with us all and I had no problem with him.
In our first season under Nigel, we finished mid-table before starting his second season with a bit of a struggle.
My good friend Nick Barmby
replaced him in November 2011 when he went back to Leicester. We were very lucky to sign Nick when we did because of the vast experience he had playing for England and in the Premier League for a number of teams.
He was a massive help and boost for to the young players to be able to go to him and ask for advice. He was always there for them.
Steve Bruce is the same. He is a good manager and although I've left the club, he was great for me all last year. I'm sure he will do well with the Tigers next season in the Premier League.
