Raiding the car ash tray for any loose change is soon to be on the agenda for the Hereford United players.

Every Friday equals fines day. All the misdemeanours of the week are calculated and are to be paid on the final day of the week.

Late for training, wrong kit and dissent cautions are all on the Bulls’ new fines list for the 2010/2011 season.

Most teams use the criminal cash to organise a Christmas party so the players aren’t too upset to part with their hard earned money.

It does add to the jokes in the dressing room and you can get a real sense of glory catching a team mate with no flip flops in the shower.

It’s the only time in your life when you feel proud to be a tell-tale.

The fines’ main aim is to keep everyone professional and to make sure that standards don’t slip within the group.

Fines are one of the first discussions of the pre-season campaign, along with who we’ll be playing in friendly matches.

I use the term ‘Friendly’ very loosely.

The first couple of games are usually against local amateur sides and these can sometimes be the most difficult.

The professional clubs are always a scalp to amateur players and whether it is a cup game or a friendly the lower team are geared up to cause an upset that they can gloat about for a very long time.

The main aim for us is the fitness we will be gaining from the game, to shake off the rustiness and gel as a new team.

But, as professionals, we all want to win and that competitive edge is clear to see in all friendlies.

As a sportsperson, everything turns into a game or a contest, as all my family will tell you.

It was only last night I had my partner throw me my daughter’s balls that I had to volley back into her ballpool in the living room.

I got quite annoyed if I missed and then decided I wanted to work my weaker left foot.

This was her cue to leave the room, shaking her head at her sweating, over excited 25-year-old child!

I cannot understand people who just want to take part. I play to win and it can be a flaw in my character. I am usually involved in an argument at Christmas because someone on my team isn’t concentrating or that I think people against me are cheating. I may relax a little when my playing days are over but I very much doubt it.

As I write this, David and Victoria Beckham have had their baby girl and decided to name her Harper Seven Beckham. (It was never going to be a common name was it?)

It reminded me of when my little girl was born and the amount of time it took to pick a name for her.

We had a list of names set up and ready to go.

Along the way, friends would have babies and low and behold a name would be crossed off the list because heaven forbid there should be two Lola’s or Isabella’s in the world.

As I have played for eight clubs in my career with various squad numbers, it is doubtful that I could call any future baby of mine 23 or 10 or 40 or Seven!

The competitive spirit of a footballer will never fade, whether it be in a FA Cup final game or a board game at Christmas or choosing the name of your child.

Winning becomes a habit, an addiction and it is very hard to give up. All successful sports people have this habit and without it you are just a participant.