Warren Barton represented his country, played in the Champions League, an FA Cup final and nearly won the Premier League.

But for all those high-profile moments, he still remembers scoring the winning goal for Maidstone in an FA Cup tie against Yeovil more than a quarter of a century ago.

Right-back Barton was just a few months into his professional career with Stones when he unleashed a left-foot stunner that sent Keith Peacock’s side into round two in November 1989.

Barton, now living and working in America as a football pundit, said: “I remember it because it was my first goal. I didn’t get too many and certainly not with my left foot.

“I cut inside and hit it and fortunately it went in. I didn’t know how to celebrate and suddenly everyone jumped on me.

“As a young boy, to score in the FA Cup was a special moment. I owe Maidstone a lot. They gave me my chance and I’m so pleased they got back to their own stadium in the town. I follow them on Twitter and it’s great to see them doing so well.”

Barton’s only season with Maidstone ended in Division 4 play-off semi-final defeat by Dion Dublin’s Cambridge, but the only way was up for the defender who went on to Wimbledon and then Newcastle, where he nearly won the Premier League in the famous 1995/96 team under Kevin Keegan.

He also won three England caps - the first while at Wimbledon - played against Arsenal in the FA Cup final and enjoyed a memorable Champions League win over Barcelona.

The former Maidstone man and his family have been living in America for eight years. He works for FOX Sports, who are covering the FA Cup this weekend.

You can guess whose result he’ll be looking out for.

Make sure you get your copy of this week's Kent Messenger for six unmissable pages of Stones coverage ahead of Sunday's FA Cup showdown.