Thanks to Wayne Rooney, the debate over the issue of diving is rearing its head again.

But even England manager Roy Hodgson, who denied that Rooney dived against Preston on Monday, would have to admit that a certain Gordon Watson engaged in simulation 23 years ago.

Let's take you back to January 12th 1992 when a high-flying Sheffield Wednesday were hosting eventual champions Leeds United in the final season of First Division football.

In a match that would eventually finish 6-1 to Leeds, Lilywhites defender Chris Whyte dangled a leg at the ball as he shepherded it back to his keeper.

However, Owls striker Watson - who was only 20 at the time - nipped in, won the ball and then after taking a step, simply flung himself onto the turf with a dramatic roll added in.

As the commentator said, without a hint of drama: "One could get oneself in an awful lot of trouble. Gordon Watson falling over, let's just say."

There would be worse vitriol to follow for the player, who would later play for Southampton and Bradford.

In the wake of Rooney's dive, Watson spoke to the BBC this week about the effect that dive had on his career, telling them: 

"Saint and Greavsie (TV pundits Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves) battered me. It was on the back page of The Sun and they called me a cheat. That put me back about 12 months. My confidence was shot, every ground I went to I was slaughtered. I had to grow up pretty quickly."

In fairness it was a terrible attempt at a dive, wasn't it ...