Having expressed an interest to widen his popularity via the mass exposure of the Tigers website, Dean becomes the second subject of the new "Eye of the Tiger" feature.

Much like last week I meet my interviewee with a keen interest to see their take on life, the Tigers and the forthcoming season... but unlike last week my interviewee doesn't have a protein shake and rippling upper body. Instead Dean climbs into his chair and takes a deep breath to squeeze in past the table. He catches his breath and eats a pork scratching.

I look at him with a compelling curiosity... how did this guy ever represent the south of England?! Yet he did!

I began the interview tentatively as I am only too aware of his dictatorial tendancies and vocal opinions which have previously seen several facebook goers "un-friend" him.

So Dean, you didnt manage to play a whole lot of games last year, rumour has it you took a career break to focus on holidays and stag do's? How was that for you?

Rumours, rumours and damn rumours. If The Difference had a pound for every rumour about himself, The Difference would have £11.50 and that's the truth.

I should explain at this point that Dean rather cock suredly refers to himself as "The Difference"... and does so in the third person because thats what all the cool kids do.

Due to The Difference's old job I couldn't train or play regularly and the old regime seemed to have issues with my raw, sexy, individual talent. Maybe it was height envy from Champ? Anyway The Difference now has a better job and has made sure his friends have the decency to have stag do's before the season kicks in so The Difference can electrify the East.

So I take it you are looking forward to getting back involved with the Tigers?

The question should be "Are the Tigers looking forward to getting back involved with The Difference?" Let me tell you something Brother, The Difference has been working hard, lifting bean tins in the kitchen, running to the shop for chocolate and crisps and drinking only 6 cans of coke a day to get in peak physical condition for this year. Training 24 seconds a day, 3 days a week when The Difference can be bothered. The Difference has been altitude training in Fuerteventura, tackling practice on the chubby chicks in the park at night and even now, as we speak, The Difference is sprint training in South Africa. Forgot my keys last week and had to crack a window at Oscar's place, hope I didn't wake him... Anyway The Difference is delighted to be back for the Orange, White and Black.

So how does the 'difference' plan to make a difference this year?

By doing what The Difference does best. By being a playmaking, tackle breaking, one hand flicking, 40-20 kicking, running rings when scooting, high ball booting, making the girls warm near their thighs when I run in them tries wooooo son of a gun.

As the room falls silent Dean climbs down from the table which he stood on while getting carried away. He sits in his chair and takes a deep breath to squeeze in past the table. He catches his breath and eats another pork scratching.

Anyone who follows you on facebook will be familiar with your ever present punditry of various sports stars and events... if you were to sum up the Tigers in your own unique style what would you have to say?

When The Difference talks the people listen. Whether its on the big issues like lazy firemen like you going on strike for more biscuits or the little things like Robbie Dolan's height, the people listen.

When it come to the Tigers, The Difference feels we are a bit like Sarah Harding. Bags of potential to be the best of the bunch, all the right bits in all the right places yet somehow, someway we let the others take the limelight and the glory whilst we booze it all away and have the best parties going. Sure we're heartbreakers and legends but we even let the teams that are like the ginger ghost get one over on us every once in a while.....

This year though, it feels like the year the Tiger roars.

And finally, you've never been shy of pulling a trick or two out of the bag while playing for the tigers... but what is your career highlight to date?

On a purely selfish level The Difference would point to the two tries he set up in the London League final. One with a through the legs pass to the wing and then topped off with a back heel touch to the hands and behind the back pass to the winger again. Years before Union boys were doing it may I add!
On a non selfish note its a tie between getting to witness Warren Foskett's continual head growth in sheer defiance of all rules of physics and biology, Gary Flook doing "The Burger" or Pat Murphy's rise into becoming Bedfordshire's Joey Essex

There you have it folks... a humble and yet insightful chat from a player who will almost certainly go down in history for something someday. For more updates from "The Difference" you can find him on facebook, twitter or his website www.deanknowsbest.co.uk

Tune in next week for more up close and personals with another Tigers favourite! Possibly Crazy Gary