football firsts
Former Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet winger Jon Nurse shares his football memories
First match? That would have been Wimbledon v Liverpool at Selhurst Park. It sticks out very clearly because it was the day Michael Owen scored his first goal. He made his debut off the bench and slotted one in. Wimbledon were my local team and we used to get free tickets at school. I did not go to too many games because travelling from Carshalton to Selhurst Park was a pain and we always broke down on the way home! But I was a Liverpool fan, and I could not miss that one. First hero? John Barnes, no hesitation with that. He was my role model. I used to love him and the way he ran with the ball was amazing. I wanted to be John Barnes. I idolised him. He skipped past people with ease and had lots of tricks and flicks. That is what made him so great. First boots? I think they were a pair of Mitres – they were not the best pair around! A lot of kids had Puma Kings and World Cup boots, but we could not afford that. I played at Malden Vale when I was 11 and that is where it all started for me. I am still involved now with Met Police and at the Surrey FA so I still have a few pairs. First kit? I am a massive Liverpool fan and I dreamed I was getting a kit for my birthday. My dad came home and he got me a Wimbledon kit! I had to be grateful, but I went up to my room and had a little cry! I was probably 11 at the time. I remember being so excited and ripping the paper open to see the blue shirt and I hated wearing it. I never did get a Liverpool one! First game? My professional debut was for Dagenham away to Stockport in 2007. I had played Non-League football for years and then finally got my break. We travelled up on the train and we lost 1-0, but we were unlucky to lose. Their centreback was Ashley Williams, who now plays for Everton. I grew up in the parks and the idea of playing at these big stadiums was a dream come true. The whole experience was amazing. Being older meant I definitely appreciated it more because you wanted it so much more. First goal? My first goal was against Southend in the FA Cup that season. I played against Nicky Bailey and we came through at Sutton United together. He went off to Barnet and I went to Stevenage. We lost in the end, but I got a header. It was a relief because I had not scored in the early weeks and then got injured. It was at the far stick from a corner, so the feeling was amazing. That goal really got me going. I played out wide a lot in those days. First red card? My first red card was late on at Barnet, when I was shown a red for a studs-up tackle. I rolled over the top of the ball and caught the lad. In my eyes it was not a red card at all. I was quite disciplined throughout my career and kept my nose fairly
clean.