Tony Pulis was waiting patiently for the first question in an interview to discuss the 1999 Play-Off Final.
Before it had left the lips of this journalist, the former Gillingham boss jumped in: ‘I’ll sum it up for you, we deserved to win the game over the 90 minutes!”
It showed that while time may have passed – 25 years today in fact - the pain of defeat still lingers for the Welshman.
When we did get into the interview, Pulis spoke of good preparation thanks to a change of scenery for his players on the eve of the Wembley clash and a big confidence in camp, despite the feeling in the football world that Gillingham would get beaten on the showpiece day.
“We went up to Villa Park. John Gregory was manager of Aston Villa at the time. I knew John and I asked him if there was any chance we could use the training ground for three days prior to the game because I didn’t want the players hanging around all the circus at Priestfield.
“We went up there, watched videos of City play and we actually prepared really, really well.
“We were obviously massive underdogs but personally inside the club we were very, very confident that we could turn City over.”
Despite delight in how his Gills squad readied themselves for the clash, Pulis revealed that he has one regret when he looks back.
He revealed he had City watched in training in the build-up to the big game – but not when the Blues practiced penalties. Pulis believes that could have swayed things his way on the day.
“The only thing I didn’t do and the one thing I regret was – and they talk about Marcelo Bielsa watching opposition training – we actually watched Man City train and what they were doing and what they weren’t doing.
“We went into the game really prepared. The only thing I didn’t ask the people doing certain things for me, I didn’t ask about Nicky Weaver and penalties because I think City had practiced them.
“I think Weaver dived to his right most times. If I had done my job properly, we would have gone and won it, I think. I blame myself. Not the players. The players were fabulous.
“With the penalties, I blame myself, I really do. That was my responsibility.”
As for the game itself, Gillingham were 2-0 up with 87 minutes on the clock.
Pulis said he was confident at that point and even saw Joe Royle getting pelters from departing City fans as they began coming to terms with another potential season in Division Two.
“Looking back, it was such a disappointment. We were 2-0 up and pretty comfortable.
“I think we missed a great chance just before City scored their first to make it 3-0.
“I can remember City fans leaving the ground. We were sitting on wooden benches then at Wembley and I can remember Joe Royle taking a hell of a lot of stick from supporters on the left hand side of us.
“Then, out of nowhere, City get the goal that’s deflected into the path of Kevin Horlock and that was the only time in the game when our players looked a little bit nervous.
“When you’re 2-0 up and you see one get pulled back when you’re comfortable, as I have seen in my years managing, players do get uptight and they do get nervous.
“Then City get the second one in injury time and then beat us on penalties.
“I was comfortable with the game. We had defended so well and been so resolute in what we were trying to achieve that I had no problems.
“When five minutes gets added on, that’s when you get a little nervous – more for the players than for yourself.
“Then City get another goal back and we go into extra-time. At that point, I just said ‘we have done it once, now we are going to have it do it again’.
“I told them ‘I don’t want to see anyone take a step back, let’s get out there again and do what we’ve been doing for 90 minutes’.
“If I’m honest, I can’t remember a lot going on in extra-time. Then the penalties arrived and City beat us.”
Looking back, that afternoon was a seminal moment for Manchester City as it heralded 25 years of incredible success with 24 major trophies won, including the Treble.
Despite his frustration at how things played out at Wembley, Pulis is full of admiration for what City have become in the years since.
“City would have spent another year in Division Two if Gillingham had won that day. I’m sure that Joe Royle would have done it the second year. But it was the stepping stone for City to get promoted the following season and end up being where they are.
“Obviously City have gone from strength to strength from that point on. It was a massive turning point in City’s history, no doubt.