THE GUV'NOR was snapped up in a £1m bargain deal from Liverpool, after being told he no longer figured in Gerard Houllier's plans.

His authoritative performances during his first season at the Riverside earned him a recall to the England team as a replacement for the injured David Batty and Ince featured in all three of England's Euro 2000 games.

A tough, ball-winning midfielder, Ince began his career at West Ham but it was at Manchester United that he established himself as one of the country's top players.

At Old Trafford he formed a potent partnership with Bryan Robson as United dominated the domestic scene.

Paul won Premiership, Cup and Cup Winners' Cup medals, as well as his first England caps, during his spell with Manchester United, before moving on first to Inter Milan, then Liverpool.

Combative, aggressive and still one of the best midfielders in the country, Paul was made Boro captain after Andy Townsend's departure.

He retained the skipper's armband after the arrival of England colleague Gareth Southgate in the summer of 2001 but joined Wolves on a free transfer in summer 2002 after making 106 appearances and scoring nine goals for Boro.

After a short spell at Swindon Town he enjoyed success as a manager with Macclesfield Town and then with MK Dons.