football firsts
Former Rochdale, Shrewsbury and Norwich striker Grant Holt shares his football memories
First match? My first live game was Carlisle United against Burnley and I must have been about seven or eight years old. It was the most brilliant feeling walking into the stadium for the first time. It was a bit daunting at first and that was back in the day when it was all standing, so the atmosphere was amazing. My dad, George, picked me up and put me on his shoulders so I could see! First hero? I’d have to say Des Walker. I just liked the way he played. He was the modern day centre-half – quick, strong and always good on the ball. I was a centre-half when I was younger, as well, so I kind of looked up to him. I only saw him play on TV, though. That’s all we could do back then. First boots? My first pair of football boots were a pair of Puma Kings. I don’t remember what it felt like wearing them, but I have always enjoyed a new pair of boots. It’s just something you enjoy getting and having a run around in for the first time. I’ve got really used to wearing Nikes now. I’ve used them for the last few years – they’re really comfortable! First kit? The first kit I ever wore must have been Neville Southall’s goalkeeping kit – the colourful one with all the little specks of pink and green. It’s one of my favourite football shirts of all time! I have always liked those flamboyant shirts and I had a Marseille one, which I used to love. I just liked the shirt. It was more the shirt than the team that played in it. First professional game? The first time I stepped on the field for a professional game was away at Swansea at their old ground, Vetch Field. I came on in the 85th minute, so I didn’t get much time, but it was absolutely nervewracking. Obviously, being away you don’t really know what to expect and then, when you finally get on the pitch, you realise you’re actually in a live game. But I got just five minutes, so, as soon as I was on, it was time to come off again. But my first Football League start was for Sheffield Wednesday against Brighton. I got my first goal there as well. First goal? It was that Brighton game away from home, my first start. It was a pretty similar feeling to every other time I had scored a goal but also a bit weird. It was a relief to get that one out of the way because it shows you really CAN score at that level. It was definitely more relief than exhilaration! I think it was a ball over the top which I managed to shift on to my left foot and fire into the bottom corner. First red card? My first professional red card was against Barnsley in my first full season at Sheffield Wednesday. It was just before halftime and it was for diving. And what made it even worse was that it should have been a penalty. Absolutely terrible call by the referee!