Coventry midfielder Michael Doyle talks us through his football memories

First game? I remember Southampton came over and played in Ireland for a preseason friendly against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park and St Pat’s beat them 1-0. Obviously, it was a pre-season game for Southampton, but there was a great crowd there. I would have been about 11, having that first real memory of a game, going with friends and parents, and having the whole experience. I just remember that Southampton team, with Matt Le Tissier, Ken Monkou, Jason Dodd and other Premier League players. It was just a massive game and I remember running on to the pitch after the game and touching Monkou – he was an absolute unit! First hero? I was a big Liverpool fan growing up, so the player who always stood out was John Barnes. I think, in that era, he was everybody’s favourite player. Funnily enough, John Barnes was the manager when I came in for my first year at Celtic and Kenny Dalglish was there, too. There was obviously the Liverpool connection. He came down to Coventry after I moved and I remember seeing him at training and having a good chat with him then. He remembered me from Celtic and he was a really nice man. First boots? My first proper boots were the Quasar ones Gary Lineker used to have. I got them for Christmas one year and they were my pride and joy. They were black with a bit of blue and some luminous yellow on them – unbelievable. I was chuffed when I got them, and I got a pair of the Peter Beardsley Sondico shinguards, which I had for a while as well. First kit? It was the yellow Liverpool shirt they wore in 1986, with Crown Paints as the sponsor. There are times now when I look back and wish I still had it because the old shirts, with their retro style, are great. To have it still would be amazing. First match? I had a season-long loan out in Denmark for AGF Aarhus, which was a great experience. We played in the Premier League and I remember we drew 2-2 away at Brondby towards the back end of the season (in April 2002) and I scored. To go there and do that was great. But, for my first game in England, I played left-back for Coventry against Peterborough in the Carling Cup (in August 2003). It was at Highfield Road and I’d never played left-back in my life, but I had to because Stephen Warnock picked up a bit of a knock, so I ended up filling in and playing against Kanu’s younger brother (Christopher). We ended up winning 2-0. First goal? My first goal was in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich at Portman Road (in August 2003). I think I might have run on to the ball and cut in against Fabian Wilnis, who was a really good player, much better than I was. I cut in on to my right and put it in the corner. I was delighted, of course. First red card? Preston were a good side in 2003 and got a good start against us. We ended up losing 4-2 against them in September. I was a young lad, playing in my first full season, and got myself sent off. It was for an elbow. Violent conduct, just stupid. It was typical and rash by a young player and it didn’t help my start. I think most of my red cards were early on in my career, but I haven’t been sent off too many

times.