BERNIE SLAVEN:

They happened almost every week when I was playing and I was often in the thick of the action.

I was involved in a few scuffles with the Boro keeper Stephen Pears and remember having run-ins with Peter Swan when we were both at Port Vale.

Taking big Swanny on perhaps wasn’t my smartest move because he was 6ft 4 and when he hit me I could hear wee birds tweeting.

Having a go at a big centrehalf was a daft idea in my case, although other people may have had more success.

What you must remember is that being in a squad is an intense experience. You get passionate during matches but you can take that out on the opposition. On the training pitch it’s a different matter. You are playing against your own team mates and it’s inevitable that the odd naughty tackle will, from time to time, spark things off. If it does you sort it out like men and move on.

You often find that after you’ve had a few fisticuffs you clear the air and the pair of you end up being best mates afterwards.

MICKY HORSWILL:

We all fall out with colleagues at work, God knows I’ve been close to clouting Bernie and Malcolm on more than one occasion!

Tempers will often boil over on the training pitch and most managers are happy to see it because it’s a sign that players care. No one wants to see a team mate injured in one of these incidents but if a couple of players trade a few blows and there is no long-term animosity then it’s rarely seen as a problem.

With 30 or 40 lads all training together day after day there are bound to be incidents when people have a difference of opinion. I was a bit hot-headed if I’m honest and had more than my fair share of scraps.

I once had a go at (former Newcastle and Sunderland striker) Billy Whitehurst when I was at Hull City.

Mind you, Billy took no prisoners so when I hit him I ran away pretty sharpish afterwards to make sure he couldn’t hit me back.

I also had a situation where a team mate had accused me of having an affair with his wife. It was all a load of rubbish so we went around the back of the stands and I told him there was nothing in it but if he wanted to make something of it then I was prepared to back up my words with my fists.

Thankfully it never came to that but I’m glad I was man enough to sort the problem out face to face rather than let it fester and see it flare up during training or a match.

BOB MONCUR:

Yes it did happen – in fact, I remember me and a certain Malcolm Macdonald having more than one stand up dispute, although I don’t recall it ever coming to blows.

In my opinion, if these arguments are about footballing matters then it’s not a problem. But if two players have a problem with personal matters then they should sort it out away from the club and their team mates. They have a duty to protect the reputation of their club and should handle things in private rather than air their dirty linen in public.

Ideally you’d hope that two grown men can sort out any conflict by talking about it like adults. But if it escalates into a fight then, for goodness sake, keep it away from the club.

■ Bob Moncur was standing in for Malcolm Macdonald.

Listen to The Legends weekdays 6-8pm and Saturdays from 1pm on 100-102FM Real Radio.

Read their views every Saturday in Northern Echo Sport.