Last Saturday, I found myself on the famous orange sofa of the hugely popular and successful TV show SoccerAM.

In my entire career I didn’t really have much chance to share the spotlight with my children, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

I took my boys, Jayden and Koby, with me on the show, but not my teenage daughters, Kayci and Aaliyah, as they are into everything but football.

My invitation to the show would be about my seventh or eighth appearance, but I was especially excited as I was taking my boys.

We were up very early on Saturday morning as the car picking us up was coming at 7.45am. Military precision timing had the boys dressed, showered and ready to leave by the front door at 7.44.

Daddy’s sausage sandwiches set us all up nicely for the day ahead.

It was a real family affair as my big brother Ian was coming with me to watch the boys while I was on the sofa.

The lads were more excited in getting to the next level of Candy Crush on the ipad than going to the Sky Sports studios.

Through the security check gates and into the green room of SoccerAM (if you don’t know what the green room is, it’s where you chill out before going on the TV). I have no idea why it’s called a green room as I have yet to see one painted green or full of plants.

W e were the only ones in there, so I used it as a chance for some twitter pictures – much to the annoyance of the boys.

We were first joined by fellow guest, comedian Jason Manford. It was the first time I had met him, and I have to say he turned out to be very funny.

I got called to go into make-up. Please don’t think I have a secret life – it’s normal procedure, I promise, but having my youngest son, Koby, walk in while the lady was powdering my face was a little awkward and hard to explain!

Actor Stephen Graham and his family were next in.

Stephen is famous for his role in popular Brit movie ‘This Is England’ and recently playing the role as Al Capone in the hit American drama series Broadwalk Empire.

His co-star, Anatol Yusef, was last in. Anotol plays the legendary Mafia boss Mayer Lanskey in the American drama series.

It was time to go on set and with a good-luck kiss from Jayden and Koby, I then got ‘mic-ed up’ ready to go on.

The show is relaxed and full of good chat and banter, and Saturday was no exception. It was like being on the sofa with mates – everyone was just cool and my type of people.

It was a laugh a minute from start to finish. Legendary Oxford United fan and former director Jim Rosenthal did a funny video on the show, stitching me up about my ‘imperfect’ hat-trick against Hereford – like I needed reminding on national TV!

It was still very funny and I must text him to say thanks.

My column from last week was a subject for conversation on the sofa, which I was pleased about.

I had a great time, full of laughs, even putting on a Rastafarian wig on one occasion. Let’s hope that doesn’t come back to haunt me as much as my Christmas fancy dress pictures with United a few years back. I got to do an acting scene with Stephen Graham – that’s my new claim to fame anyway.

The only disappointment was that I missed the target when shooting for the Champions League hole. Maybe it’s best I stay retired on that showing!

I managed to get the boys on TV with me, met some great people, had a laugh and had lots of positive feedback about the show.

Next stop, Phil and Holly…