Michael scored in the second leg of that 1996 Final, against a West Ham side including Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.

He rapidly went on to even greater things, joining the Liverpool first team and then being named in the England side as a teenager.

But though he was a highly promising young player, Lee never broke through to first team football from the Liverpool reserves and eventually left the club after 18 months as a pro.

After a spell at West Ham, he moved to Barrow - helping them gain promotion into the Conference - before moving into semi-professional football.

Michael Owen back in 1996.He is currently with amateur side Newton in the West Cheshire League - and also captains Liverpool Business Houses Sunday League side A3 (Canada).

And it's with A3 (Canada) that the centre-half, who now works as a builder, may yet tread the hallowed Anfield turf once more.

On Sunday they take on local rivals Nicosia in the semi-final of The FA Sunday Cup, in partnership with Carlsberg - Sunday League’s equivalent to The FA Cup.

It's an exciting cup derby match which will see the winners run out for the final of the nation's flagship Sunday League Cup competition at the ground graced by greats like Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and, of course, Michael Owen.

Midweek, 26-year-old Lee and Michael took time out of their respective schedules to meet up at Liverpool's training ground, swapping memories of their time together and looking forward to that final.

Michael - who revealed he hopes to be in the stands watching if Lee's side make it to Anfield - said: "Liverpool teams have had a good record over the last few years in the competition and it’s nice to see Lee flying the flag for Liverpool.

"The semi-final is a big game and everyone will be desperate to play in the final at Anfield. If I’m not committed with Liverpool or England and Lee gets to the final, I would like to be there."

His memories of the victorious Liverpool youth team are amongst his happiest. He said: "The FA Youth Cup was the first real major trophy or title that I won and it still holds pride of place alongside all my other medals.

"Those FA Youth Cup days were great. We trained together every day for a couple of years, shared the same dressing room and enjoyed the pranks that go on. In my eyes, they were the best times of football.

"It’s all a bit more serious nowadays when you are a professional but as YTS players and as young pros we had a great laugh. As I remember, Lee was certainly at the centre of it!

"They were exciting times and I have fond memories of them. They were a great bunch of lads.

"There are plenty of players from that youth team still playing now. Some have ended up in first teams, somein lower divisions and some have got normal jobs and are playing for fun."

Lee had signed for Liverpool as a school boy at 14 and Michael, who was two years younger, joined him in the youth team during the season they won The FA Youth Cup.

Whilst Lee played regularly for Liverpool reserves when he turned pro, he never broke into the first team and left after 18 months.

Michael, meanwhile, scored on his first team debut in 1997 and, the following year became a national hero when he scored one of the great World Cup goals against Argentina.

Lee said: "Looking back now and seeing what some of the players have achieved - guys like Michael and Jamie Carragher - you feel very privileged to have played with them and been a part of that talented youth team.

"I was disappointed not to be offered a new contract but you have to get on with it. I was still going to play football and enjoy it no matter what level it was at.

"It was great what Michael did at The World Cup in 1998 and I was really happy for him. He always stood out - he is a quality player. He went straight to the top in such a short space of time."

Lee has already won The FA Sunday Cup, with Liverpool side Britannia in 2002.

He describes The FA Sunday Cup as 'The Holy Grail' in Liverpool, a city which boasts some of the top Sunday League teams in the country.

And he is hoping his experience of playing at Anfield will stand him in good stead if he gets there again.

He said: "I don’t think I would be as nervous as some of the lads who never dreamed of playing at Anfield.

"It’s just the feeling of knowing the people that have played there before you like John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler and, of course, Michael Owen.

"I have been lucky enough to play at Anfield with Michael - there's not many people who can say that, especially in amateur football.'

Michael said: "I would be hard-pressed to give Lee any advice. He has played in big games for Liverpool and won The FA Sunday Cup before, but like all semi-finals it doesn’t matter so much who the best team is - anyone can beat anyone on the day.

"Hopefully they will get though and it would be great to see him playing in the final."

Lee added: "It means a lot to have Michael’s support. A3 (Canada) have never won The FA Sunday Cup. It’s the one thing that has eluded us, but hopefully I can help put that right this season."

Tickets for the semi-final of The FA Sunday Cup between A3 (Canada) and Nicosia at Marine FC, kick-off 3pm tomorrow, are £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and OAPs and will be available at the ground.

Tickets for the other semi-final between UK Flooring and St Margarets at Bristol City FC, kick-off 3pm tomorrow, are available priced £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and OAPs by contacting the club’s ticket office on 0870 112 1897.