Long-serving Peterborough goalkeeper Mark Tyler was rewarded for his loyalty when a bumper crowd of over 9,000 turned out for his testimonial to watch Posh draw 0-0 with Champions League finalists Liverpool at the weekend. Tyler's career at Peterborough has spanned 13 years, playing 465 games, and manager Darren Ferguson had this to say about his popular stopper. "Mark deserved this game because spending so much time at one club is a fantastic achievement. He is a model professional, but also an excellent goalkeeper and we are lucky to have him at London Road." Tyler has been linked with a move to various clubs down the years but, as givemefootball's Mark Shail discovered, he's always been happy at Peterborough.
Q:CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TESTIMONIAL, YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED?
A:It's been a great day and I can;t thank everyone in the organisationenough. My testimonial committee, led by my wife Leanne, Liverpool Football club, Posh and of course the fans, all helped make it a memorable day.
Q:AND A CLEAN SHEET FOR YOU AGAINST LIVERPOOL?
A:Liverpool passed the ball around for fun at times, but we kept at it and gave them a few scares along the way. The reception I got from the fans and the players at the end was amazing. It's a day I'll never forget, although in a way I'm relieved it's all over. I didn't have a lot to do myself during the game. In fact, I can only remember a couple of saves, but it was nice to keep a clean sheet in the match.
Q:THIRTEEN YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO PLAY FOR ONE CLUB, ISN’T IT?
A:I would have been happy to play one game of professional football so to play so many is incredible. And if I'd have known when I started out how many matches I would play, I would have never dreamed that I would play them all for one club.
Q:DID YOU EVER CONSIDER MOVING ELSEWHERE?
A:I was aware that other clubs were showing interest in me at various times during my career, but the managers used to turn all the bids down so I've never even spoken to another club, either officially or unofficially. But I don't regret a thing.
Q:AND NOW YOU’RE CLOSING IN ON 500 APPEARANCES?
A:Yes, luckily once I broke into the first team at Posh I've generally been regarded as the number one keeper and that makes me proud and that's why I've played so many matches. I would never have moved for money without being guaranteed a first team place because I play the game for the love of it rather than the money.
Q:CAN YOU REMEMBER THE DAY WHEN YOU FIRST BROKE INTO THE FIRST TEAM BACK IN 1994?
A:It was against Birmingham and I didn't even know I was playing until an hour before kick off. Although we lost 4-0 it was a great day for me, especially as my former-team mate Ian Bennett was in goal for them and Barry Fry was their manager. I played a couple more times that season, but it was a few seasons. and only after loan spells at Billericay and Yeovil, before I broke through properly.
Q:STILL GOING STRONG AND WITH A PROMOTION BID TO COME?
A:I couldn't have guessed then that I'd still be playing for Posh now, but now I can'timagine playing anywhere else. I've been lucky that the worst injuries I've suffered are broken arms and dislocated shoulders and I've also been lucky that I haven't made too many howlers. As for the new campaign, we are slowly stepping up our fitness and there are plenty of positive signs for the season ahead.
