At the present time, Peterborough United are blessed with top quality attacking players like George Boyd, Craig Mackail-Smith and Aaron Mclean, but in the mid-1990s, the football club were playing some excellent free-flowing football and scoring plenty of goals.

Martin Carruthers, Jimmy Quinn, David Farrell, Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington were often viewed as the dream attacking quintet and to play alongside those five stars was always entertaining - even if you were the man trying to hold things together in midfield.

Steve Castle was the inspirational skipper of that side and he didn't shirk his attacking responsibilities either, scoring 20 goals in his three-year stay at London Road, including 10 in the hugely successful 1999-2000 campaign, which culminated in promotion at Wembley Stadium.

'When I first went to Peterborough the team was playing like a house on fire and there are so many matches that stick in my memory. The free flowing football that we played when I joined was amazing. To play with the likes of Dave Farrell on the wing, Jimmy Quinn and Martin Carruthers up front and Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington providing the ammunition was brilliant.

'We were sometimes a bit too attack-minded, but they were certainly attractive games to watch. I remember trouncing Doncaster Rovers 5-0 either the first or second game of the season, we played some cracking football and scored some cracking goals and I think the supporters loved it,' Castle recalled.

Castle arrived at London Road in June 1997 and was signed by then boss Barry Fry who felt his drive from midfield would aid the attacking nature of his side. Castle had previously been with Birmingham City, but didn't hesitate when Posh came calling for his services.

'I came to Peterborough as a player/coach and it was a bit strange really because I was only 31 but I enjoyed having the extra bit of responsibility. At times I had more to do with the staff side of things than actually playing but I managed to keep everyone happy.

'Barry was a good manager to work with, there is a lot of showmanship that comes with him. We, as Peterborough United, were getting a lot of exposure both good and bad but I guess the old saying is any publicity is better than no publicity and it gave our club an awful amount of prestige, which was good for us, the players and supporters.

'I have heard Barry call me 'Captain Marvel' a number of times and it is nice to be recognised as being a good leader from someone who has been in the game as long as he has. I have always thought I have had good leadership skills and it has been a bit of a trademark for me. I have been a captain at almost every club I have been at.

'My time at Peterborough United was probably the highlight of my career, it is was a very friendly club and very well supported with true fans. My fondest memory has to be of both the play-off semi-finals and of course the final at Wembley which we obviously won, it was exciting times. At the back end of that season you really couldn't have asked for more because our team spirit was second to none and the support we received was really good.

'It was fantastic to be involved in the side that won promotion, we had a great bunch of lads in the squad. You have to be winning matches to get there, which we were doing although at times we had little blips and it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. We managed to get in a play-off position fairly early on in the season and that helped us cement a place for the rest of the campaign. We knew who we would be facing in the semi-finals and we knew it would be a contest and a half. The hat-trick from Dave Farrell just rounded off the comprehensive victory.

'I have always thought the support of the Peterborough United fans was fantastic so I wasn't surprised to see so many of them at Wembley. I personally was a bit disappointed that the final had to be on a Friday night and it even rained, it just seemed to be a bit less of a spectacle than what it really was. I remember though the lads were amazed at the attendance of the match and we thoroughly enjoyed celebrating,' Castle said.

Several of that 'entertaining' team have gone on to bigger and better things with Adam Drury at Norwich City, Simon Davies the Welsh skipper and a regular with Fulham and Matthew Etherington at West Ham United. Jimmy Quinn is currently in charge at AFC Bournemouth and Mathew Gill has just won the League Two 'Player of the Month' award.

'Simon Davies in particular was outstanding, I played alongside him in the team and he was a good listener and did as he was told and I mean that with the greatest respect. Being a player/coach at the time Simon was a real joy to play alongside.

'Matthew Etherington was all about quality, he wasn't the bravest lad in the world but if you look at where he is now you would think that was a criticism. Football is all about the end product, he always got his fair share of quality crosses in and also popped up with the odd goal.

'Fair play to them both. They are both accomplished Premiership players, but I honestly thought Simon would be playing a little higher than what he has done. It was very hard to tell back then if they would make it at a higher level. I was convinced with Simon, but I wasn't convinced with Matthew. Although they were playing very well at Peterborough, there were a lot of other young players coming through the ranks and unfortunately some of them didn't make the grade.

'There was Mathew Gill who is now playing out of his skin for Exeter City and I know there are a few clubs looking at him. The lad Dan Murray, who is now with Cork City, is doing very well and people like Daniel French who has just seemed to drift out of the game. Tony Shields was another hot prospect, but unfortunately never really kicked on his career. There were a lot of quality youth players coming through and that's testament to the youth set-up we had at the time,' Castle added.

As with many footballers, they still keep in contact with their former team-mates and Castle is no different. He has a familiar face working with him in his current job as manager of St. Albans City and the role as boss of the non-league club is one he is thoroughly enjoying.

'I have been involved with St. Albans Football Club for about five or six years now. I was here as a player and then went on to help with the youth development and it basically went on from there. I have always wanted to be involved in the management side of things, it is something I really enjoy and it's certainly something I want to keep on doing and to the best of my ability.

'I have Andy Edwards here as my assistant who I brought in to help me out and I have known him for years from my days at Peterborough United. We were travelling companions, so it's nice to have a familiar face around the place.

'I still speak to my old team-mates on odd occasions - obviously Andy Edwards who is a close family friend. I worked with Jimmy Quinn a few years ago and being a manager of a football club now it is amazing to see who you bump into. I bumped into David Farrell and Derek Payne not too long ago. I also often speak to David Oldfield on the phone.

'I always look out for Peterborough's results without a doubt and it is great to see them doing so well. At the back end of my career I wasn't as fit as I used to be and I had my fair share of injuries, but I really enjoyed my time with the club. I hope they get another promotion and I will keep supporting from afar,' Castle concluded.