They have all profited from the Teddy Sheringham production line of assists and watched the man from Higham's Park endure a rollercoaster career at both ends of the football spectrum, from Aldershot to Manchester United.

Throughout his time in football Sheringham has been regarded as less of an individual matchwinner and more a catalyst for others' talents- a crucial quality for any successful team.

He was acclaimed for his rich vein of goals at Millwall and Nottingham Forest, barracked by England fans in his early appearances for his country, and then praised for his contribution in the SAS partnership which he built up with fellow international Alan Shearer in Euro 96.

Derision

However, during his time at Manchester United Sheringham's rather uninhabited mantle piece had been the subject of much derision from opposing fans.

Teddy Sheringham lifts the European Cup after scoring a vital goal

For many years this rather barren perch in the Sheringham household has been propped up by one Second Division Championship medal from his time at Milwall and a Zenith Data Systems Cup trophy which he collected at Forest.

Curiously, Sheringham had failed to add to his silverware collection during his time at Spurs and even when he signed for Manchester United, the trophy-less curse struck again as United were pipped to the Premier League trophy by bitter rivals Arsenal.

However, in the space of three months the 33-year-old has turned a dwindling career which was on the brink of sinking into the murky waters of the Manchester Canal into one long distinguished bath in Europe's most exquisite pink champagne.

Certainly, the former Tottenham striker has had an eventful season which began with an operation on his knee, and a graduated into a long hard struggle to break into the United starting line-up.

Home and Away

The passage to his role as United's chief goal-getter was being blocked by the devastating form of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, who were rattling in the goals for fun both home and away.

But amid fears that his time at United was careering towards an premature end, Sheringham who had celebrated winning the league with the Red Devils earlier in the week was finally flung a lifeline when Roy Keane was injured in the second minute of the FA Cup final.

Teddy Sheringham: Has had a rollercoaster career

The England cast-off waltzed off the bench and promptly scored United's first goal in their 2-0 win over Newcastle in F.A. Cup final and was duly named man of the match.

"It's amazing how this game changes around," said an ecstatic Sheringham.

"One minute you are down, the next you are up. I was devastated not to be picked. I'm 33 now and you don't think you're going to get another chance."

Injury-time winner

As if that wasn't enough, Sheringham was introduced as a second-half substitute in United's biggest game for 30 years, and with the eyes of world soccer descending upon him, he snatched an injury time equaliser to set up a historic victory for the Old Trafford club.

And after his side completed the unique treble win over Bayern Munich, the jubilant cockney declared: "I'm going to walk down Oxford Street with my medals round my neck".

"I thought the Germans were getting very flash with about 20 minutes to go. I saw Basler walk over to the corner and wave to his crowd. I wasn't best pleased with that. It was even sweeter to win after that."

And to cap it all off Kevin Keegan threw the former Spurs forward an international lifeline by naming the England striker in his squad for the games against Sweden and Bulgaria- an amazing turnaround for the forgotten striker.