Morecambe midfielder Kevin Ellison talks us through his football memories
First game you watched live? I lived a stone’s throw away from Anfield when I was a kid, so it was always going to be a Liverpool game. Back in those days, they used to open the gates with 15 minutes left and, because money was tight in the family, we used to go in then. The earliest game I can remember is Liverpool v Oxford – that’s how long I’m going back! That was when they were decent and had (John) Barnes and (Ian) Rush. First football hero? I would say Rush and Barnes. I grew up watching Rush score goals for Liverpool and he was one of the reasons I liked football. When I was at Chester, he became manager and it was an honour to play under him. He took over in the summer and I was sold to Hull in the January, so I didn’t have long with him, but he was great with me. I wanted to impress him because I idolised him so much. First boots? Boots have become an issue for me in the last couple of years. I have not found a single pair I like. I have changed six pairs already this season. My first ones were from Jack Sharp’s shop in Whitechapel and I had them for two years – they were durable. I was six or seven back then! First kit? It was a Liverpool away one, which was yellow with thin red stripes down it and then very small, shiny shorts. It was the 80s! I had all kind of kits in those days. You name it, I probably had it. I’m a Liverpool fan and I think I even had an Everton kit as a kid because half of my family were Blues fans. I try and pass them on to my little boy now. First professional game? It was for Leicester City against Manchester United at Old Trafford. When you look back now, it was mad. I came from Non-League with Altrincham and, six weeks later, I was on the bench at United! I went from part-time to full-time so quickly it was daunting. I remember everyone in the stadium singing ‘stand up if you hate Scousers’ and it made me nervous. I got about 12 minutes and touched the ball only a couple of times, but no-one can take it away from me. First goal? It was for Stockport against Blackpool in Division Two on a Tuesday night at their old, wooden stadium. I hit it from about 25 yards across the floor into the bottom corner. As I have got older, I have got better in front of goal – probably because I try to save my legs! First red card? I was at Chester and getting manhandled at a corner. I was a hothead back in the day. After a while of him doing it, I turned around and there was a clash of heads. I have no complaints. A lot of players and managers will say I deserve a lot more than I have had. I get about 14 bookings a season, but I am trying to tone that down because we get fined
now!