Former Bradford City midfielder Dave Syers talks us through his football memories
First match? The match that sticks in my head the most is one of the first I went to see at Sunderland. It was in 1997 and it was the last match at Roker Park before we moved to the Stadium of Light, against Everton. It was 3-0 to Sunderland and I remember sitting on one of the metal barriers, with my dad holding me and my brother from behind. First hero? My best time watching football as a fan was Sunderland in the glory days of the late 90s and early 2000s, so it would have to be Kevin Phillips. He was brilliant through those years when Sunderland were doing so well. I think he’s done all right as a coach, but I don’t tend to listen to too much of his punditry. First boots? I think my very first were a terrible pair of Mitres, but the early ones I really remember are a pair of Puma Kings, which got me through a good few years. I went through all the Adidas Predators when I was growing up. They were the boots I was wearing when I turned pro, as well. First kit? My mum and dad used to live in Italy and they came back with a full purple Fiorentina kit for me and my brother. That got worn every training session for about five years I think! First game? My first professional game was a bit of a fairytale actually, at home against Nottingham Forest for Bradford in what was then the Carling Cup. I wasn’t actually signed for Bradford. The season started on the Saturday while I was on trial and Peter Taylor rang me on the Monday night to ask if I’d sign non-contract forms, to be available to play the game. My name wasn’t even in the programme or on the team sheet or anything like that! We were 1-0 down at half-time and I just remember the assistant manager running out and saying: “Dave, you’re going on.” I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life, but I equalised after about 55 minutes and we went on to beat them in extratime as James Hanson got the winner. First goal? My goal in that Forest game was a long ball forward from our leftback to big James Hanson up front. I was playing in centre midfield and I remember following the ball forward. He flicked it on and Jake Speight, the second striker, was running on to it. Jake, the Forest centre-half and the goalkeeper all got to the ball on the edge of the box and ended up banging together and the ball was running towards the by-line. I just kept moving, as I was following up, and it still feels like the fastest I’ve ever run in my life! I managed to sneak around the side and poke the ball in with the outside of my right foot. It was an incredible feeling. First red card? I was playing for Farsley Celtic in 2010 against Droylsden, and it was the last match that Farsley ever played, because they folded while I was suspended! It was given as an elbow but me and the linesman hadn’t been in agreement for most of the first half and I think he was all too happy to say I threw an elbow. I was sent off before halftime but we still managed to win 2-1.