Peter Crouch

“Heading is a skill, and it would be a shame to lose that from the game. There is nothing more dramatic than when you see someone score a diving header, for instance.”

“I know my strengths and weaknesses, and I play to them.”

“Right from school, I got mockery for the way I look. I took it to heart early on. I admit there were times when I doubted myself.”

“I'd hate to be the sort of player who people just regard as being tall and only good for winning headers.”

“In my opinion, whenever I've been given the opportunity to play, I've done well and scored goals, and that will continue to be the case.”

“I've never asked for a transfer anywhere, but I've been constantly moving around. It's frustrating.”

“I'd like to think I'm an approachable fella, and if someone wants me to pose for a picture, I'll always say 'yes' even when I'm with my family.”

“I feel proud I was part of the old school and still around in the new school.”

“I am very proud of my goal record for England.”

“Looking around at the faces of the home support at Gillingham, the irony was never lost on me that these people had the cheek to call me a 'freak.' Perhaps they should have taken a look at themselves first.”

“I've always felt that, when I play, I have never let anybody down.”

“I don't know why, but playing for England, I always feel I am going to score.”

“I came from a good family and a nice area, but I went to a rough state school.”

“When I was young, I always enjoyed watching skilful players and trying to emulate them the same as everyone else.”

“I'll have an omelette, porridge, and fruit for breakfast at the training ground, then chicken, pasta and soup for lunch; then I can relax in the evening.”

“Tiger Woods and Roger Federer: those two are born winners.”

“Ronaldo, the Brazilian one - incredible player. I met him once. I was in Ibiza on holiday and quite by chance ran into him in a club. He's the only man I'd go up to and ask for a picture. And I did.”

“I've always been the tallest; I didn't shoot up. That's who I am.”

“I think it's helped me that I've always been very grounded, very down to earth. Lots of my friends are people I've known from school, and when I'm away from football, they're the ones who I knock about with.”

“It was only when I got to Tottenham as a youth player that they said, 'You need to be good in the air.' It was made clear I was going be a target man, so I had to start working on my technique.”