Jobi McAnuff - The former Reading, Crystal Palace and Watford winger talks us through his football memories
First game you watched live? It was Portsmouth against Derby Country when I was 10 or 11. I have got a lot of family from Portsmouth and they are all massive Portsmouth fans. My auntie took me to the game and I didn’t really know what to expect but it was a fantastic experience at Fratton Park and one that stayed with me. I’ve been fortunate to play there a few times since and there was always a fantastic atmosphere. First football hero? My hero was John Barnes. Growing up playing football on the streets, a few of my pals when I was that age were already Liverpool fans and that pushed me in that direction. With my dad being Jamaican, his background and playing for England, he was someone that I really enjoyed watching. First football boots? My dad bought me a pair of Gola boots a long time ago. But my first proper pair when I started at Wimbledon were a pair of Mizuno boots, which were one of the comfiest pairs of boots I have ever worn. First kit? I got a Liverpool kit for my birthday. I can’t remember what year it was from but it was beige and had a round neck, and I got it when I was 11 or 12. I’ve probably still got it in the garage or in the loft. First professional game? My first game was against Norwich at home for Wimbledon in 2001-02. I was a sub and came on. It was a very exciting time, even to just be involved. I had been away with the first team during pre-season and made a reasonable enough impression, and came on for 15 minutes or so at the end of the game. We had some really good senior pros in there, who really looked after the young lads. I was very lucky to have the likes of Neal Ardley, Kevin Cooper, Paul Hill, Alan Kimble and Neil Shipperley, who all really helped me settle in. First professional goal? It was against Rotherham away from home in the same season that I made my debut (in October 2001). I remember the changing room was the smallest I can remember at Millmoor. It was really old school. I don’t remember the type of goal itself but it was a massive moment. First red card? It was for Leyton Orient and I got two yellow cards in a game against Sheffield United (in October 2014). It was for a late tackle towards the end of the game and we were clinging on for a point. I remember going into the tunnel and just praying that we would get the result because a lot of the blame would have come my way had we lost – and rightfully so. Thankfully, we managed to hold on for a point but that ten minutes waiting was not something I want to make a habit of doing again...