Adding PHP to templates

[clarke_kent]

I would like to add my own custom php code to the vbulletin templates.

I have modified the templates to give me a column on the left hand side. I would like to place my own code in here to display information from a DB not associated with Vbulletin.
This code will display for example a list of links stored in a DB, images stored in a DB etc....

In terms of php coding I am fine, but am unsure where to even start to add it to the templates.

Could anyone point me to a tutorial or provide some insight where to start? I have searched for several hours and come up with nothing useful.

Cheers