'What I remember most is the sadness; how it affected my mum, her crying'

If I Knew Then... is a week-long series in which we talk to famous racing figures about regrets, lessons learned and mistakes made. In part four, senior features writer Peter Thomas talks to the footballer and trainer about tragedy, triumph and the art of diplomacy

A trip down memory lane with Mick Channon isn't a jaunt for the faint of heart. It's not so much a contemplative stroll as a headlong romp through the long grass and brambles. Alcoholical rather than philosophical, if you like. Less Thomas Paine and more Terry Paine (this is an obscure 1970s football reference – if you are under the age of 50, just Google it).

This is the man, after all, whose footballing career – as a 46-cap England striker with a streak of genius – was forged in the Southampton FC team once described by pithy Bill Shankly as a "team of alehouse brawlers"; a side whose pre-match meal of choice was steak and who played as though they ate it raw. They tackled hard (although Channon himself was the 'talent' of the outfit, 'minded' by the tough guys) and they lived hard (for which read boozily).