Facing Cahill was so tough . . . I’ve got the scars to prove it
Lincoln City striker MATT GREEN, 31, on playing with Robbie Fowler and mastering The Police’s message in a bottle . . . with a little help from his partner’s uncle, Gordon Sumner:
FIRST FOOTBALL MEMORY
going out on the green with my dad when i was five. my dad said: ‘c’mon then, let’s go out and play a little soccer.’ He didn’t say football. ever since then i’ve been obsessed.
BEST PLAYER I’VE PLAYED WITH
Robbie Fowler at cardiff. He was so graceful when he was beating the keeper. all he needed was a couple of steps to get his feet in position and he’d work it all out in his head before he executed a finish. He just had that magic about him.
TOUGHEST OPPONENT
gary cahill when he was at aston Villa. He had everything. Pound-for-pound the strongest centre back i’ve played against. He’d hurt you and then look straight through you. He broke me down bit by bit throughout that game. i’ve still got a scar on my ribs from when he absolutely smashed me. a great learning curve.
FAVOURITE FOOTBALLING MOMENT
Wembley with oxford. i scored in the national league play-off final against York in 2010 when we went up. it was one of them goals that you probably try 20 times and you’d struggle to do it again.
SPORTING HERO
Pele. my uncle used to give me tapes of him on the beach doing kick-ups. When the weather was not nice and i wasn’t kicking a ball about i’d be watching Pele.
TOUGHEST AWAY GROUND
luton town is usually quite a hostile place. they’re quite hostile even with their own players if things aren’t going their way.
THE FIRST ALBUM I BOUGHT
I Am by nas. the track Nas is Like is one i still listen to.
KARAOKE SONG
Message In A Bottle by the Police. my partner’s uncle is gordon sumner and i’ve been to a couple of his concerts. i knew nothing about him when we first got together but it’s a song that i’ve grown to absolutely love.
BEST DRESSED TEAM-MATE
lee Frecklington. Frecks likes to have a bit of a go. He tends to get quite a lot of fresh stuff in.
DREAM DINNER-PARTY GUESTS
bob marley, martin luther king and Pele. marley with some music, martin luther king with some politics and Pele with his stories from playing.
IF I WASN’T A FOOTBALLER
my grandad was a builder but i would probably be doing carpentry.