Chloe is the central defender's first child, capping a memorable first year on the south coast.

On Sunday, he will be part of a Blues team taking on Fulham with sixth place in their sights.

A week later it's onto the FA Cup final and the chance of his first-ever trophy in English football.

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old is a strong contender for The News' Player of the Year vote.

Life just keeps on getting better for the former Manchester City defender.

And Distin revealed how his daughter's presence is continuing to drive him on to even greater things.

He said: 'It's been a great year for me in every respect and it's not finished.

'Everything is going right for me and I would be very disappointed if we don't win the final or reach sixth place in the league.

'At home, life is fantastic.

'When there's a baby on the way everyone says you'll see life in a different way.

'When you don't have a kid you don't understand, you just think 'yeah, yeah, right'. But it's true, it's true.

'I'm a dad now and that changes a lot in your mind, you see life in a different way and I think that's helped on the pitch to be a bit more steady.

'You feel you're a bit less selfish. Suddenly you are living for someone else now and not just yourself. You want to do the best to raise a good person.

'For me I want to be a good person and that's what I want for my child.

'I think as a footballer it also makes you are a bit more steady. You go out a lot less with the players and drink less with the players.

'Mentally everyone will tell you having a child changes you. For me I always have a smile on my face now, whether I am at home or training.

'I'm settled. I live in a nice area in Bournemouth and there's always a good atmosphere at work.

'This season I don't see any bad points for me personally.

'There have probably been three games when I have been really bad but overall I've had a good time and am very, very happy.'

Harry Redknapp's side go into the Fulham league finale after three-successive defeats.

It's a disappointing run which has inevitably prompted accusations of players being distracted by the FA Cup final.

And Distin is inclined to agree. He added: 'It's been a long season and there have been plenty of games.

'Some are thinking about the Cup, some are tired, some have knocks.'