'Took the mickey' - Former Leeds United goalkeeper Nigel Martyn on the Yorkshire legend who scored a hat trick against him

The first time I came to Yorkshire would be playing for Bristol Rovers in the late 1980s. I can remember coming to Barnsley and Doncaster and seeing their old grounds with lots of brick terraced houses around them.

Coming from Cornwall, I guess my first impression of Yorkshire wasn’t a positive one, but since the 1990s we’ve lived here, love it and feel that Yorkshire and Cornwall are so similar because of the moors and the coast.

What is your favourite part of Yorkshire?

I love nature and the countryside and being in the outdoors. Walking by a river clears the head too.

We lived for a time in North Rigton near Harrogate and, therefore, I would say Almscliffe Crag is my favourite area. We used to walk there regularly and sit on the rocks and look at the views.

What’s your favourite view?

I like to see long distance views, so one which I like is the view from Knaresborough castle looking towards the viaduct. That’s special.

I like going to new places and something I’d like to do is the Three Peaks and see the views from the top.

What’s your favourite walk?

I like walking around the Knaresborough area and love walking to Ripley, so you go through the Nidd Gorge. It’s a beautiful walk alongside the river and you go over a viaduct. It’s stunning.

What is your idea of a perfect day out in Yorkshire?

For me, it would probably be cricket related, but for us it would be a Sunday roast in a pub and then go for a walk in the countryside.

We are lucky to live right by the river Nidd, so in the winters we’re often out for a stroll and then home for a meal, and that’s what we like to do together.

Which Yorkshire sportsman or woman, past or present, would you like to take out for lunch?

Probably Joe Root. Cricket is a real passion of mine and I respect everything about him. It’s not only his phenomenal numbers, it’s also the way Joe conducts himself.

He includes everybody and would happily sacrifice himself for the betterment of the England team.

Joe doesn’t shun the limelight but doesn’t seek it either.

A few years ago, I was invited by England to train with them before a Test. We were playing football and Joe scored a hat-trick against me and took the mickey at the same time.

Which other sports do you follow?

I’m working at Leeds United on match days, doing LUTV, being interviewed and giving my opinions in the bars.

I follow rugby league as well and when my daughter was a physio at Hull KR we went to the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. I currently support Leeds Rhinos.

If you could own one thing in Yorkshire for the day, what would it be?

I like Harewood House which we’d visit regularly when we lived in Scarcroft. If I owned it for the day, I’d have a really good look around and find out about the secret tunnels.

What do you think it is which gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

People here have so much pride in coming from Yorkshire and I see it all the time in my friends.

I always laugh when we have an Olympic Games and you see the Yorkshire medals table. To me that sums up Yorkshire pride.

Do you have a favourite Yorkshire entertainer?

I think it has to be Sean Bean. I love history and the Duke of Wellington era. The Sharpe series I enjoyed and I’ve watched a lot of Sean’s stuff. We’d differ about football because Sean’s a big Sheffield United fan.

How much influence has Yorkshire had on your career?

A lot. You buy into Yorkshire grit and determination shown by teams here, whatever the sport. It’s something that’s talked about a lot. Fans like to see sports people trying and giving their all.

They appreciate hard work and that’s ingrained in you the longer you are here. I’ve lived here longer than in Cornwall.

Do you think Yorkshire has changed for the better or worse since you’ve known it?

Probably for the better. Take Leeds. The development has been very quick, and you go into the city and say “Wow. When did that development happen?” It’s the speed of what’s going on.

It brings in more money and jobs and makes Leeds a place which attracts people.

Who is the Yorkshire person you admire the most?

I think it’s going to be a sportsman. Jonny Bairstow, the Yorkshire and England cricketer. I know him and know how hard he works at being a good player.

Jonny’s not had it easy all his life and has shown his strength of character many times. He’s been discarded, brought back and then repeatedly shown how good he was.

What’s your favourite pub?

We have three good ones 150 yards from where we live. I’m going to choose the Half Moon on Abbey Road. It has a friendly vibe, it’s quiet and the beer’s good.

And what’s your favourite restaurant?

We’ve both had birthdays recently and unknown to each other, both of us booked the same place. We like Pranzo on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate.

The homemade pasta is fantastic and if you want lasagne, there’ll be a wait of 40 minutes because they’ll cook it properly for you. The wait is well worth it.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

Yes. My wife has one of the units in the antiques centre at 27 West Park in Harrogate and it’s near to Weetons, so we’re often popping in for a coffee or brunch.

If you had to name a hidden Yorkshire gem, what would it be?

Actually, it’s a restaurant. Some friends took us to a small Italian restaurant in Boston Spa near Wetherby.

It’s called Da Carlo’s and it’s opposite the garage on the High Street. The food was lovely. I had the lobster ravioli which was really nice.

If a stranger came to Yorkshire and you had time to take that person to one place only, where would it be?

As I’ve said, I enjoy history, so York would be somewhere to go. You are surrounded by history.

The Roman Walls, the Vikings and, of course, the Minster. York is a lovely city which is special.