football firsts
Deon Burton - Ex-Portsmouth, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday striker talks us through his football memories
First game you watched live?
The first match I ever went to was with my dad during the mid80s. We went to see Reading at Elm Park.
The likes of Michael Gilkes and Neil Webb were probably playing that day but I can’t remember exactly – I can’t have been any older than 10.
I remember cheering them on and thinking, ‘One day, I want to be out there and have fans sing my name’.
I was already a Reading schoolboy at that point but I only went to watch a few games in my youth.
First football hero?
John Barnes – without a doubt. The way he played and his allaround game; he was just a top footballer
I started out playing as a wide player and used to try and do all the John Barnes tricks.
First football boots?
They were probably a pair of Quasar boots, the Gary Lineker ones. I think I was about nine or 10-years-old and I am pretty sure they don’t make them any more.
First kit?
My first kit was a grey Liverpool top. It was chequered. I think it was their third kit and it was sponsored by Candy.
I’ve always been a Liverpool fan and so have my parents and their parents, so that was my team growing up.
I had a matching Kenny Dalglish style Adidas coat, too – I thought I was the bee’s knees.
First professional game?
My first game was a midweek match for Portsmouth against Leicester at Fratton Park (in April 1994).
It was really funny because Mark Blake had just left us and he was playing for Leicester, and I used to clean his boots.
Anyway, I remember him coming across the pitch, giving me a kick and saying: ‘That’s for not cleaning my boots properly’ – then he laughed and ran off!
We lost 1-0 in the end and the manager, Jim Smith, came into the dressing room and properly had a go at me. After my debut as well. I was only 17.
It was because I didn’t have a shot all game, so I remember, next game, I got a shot on goal as soon as I could!
First professional goal?
My first goal was for Portsmouth at home to Watford (in April 1995) – Paul Hall played me through with a little sly pass and I hit it on the diagonal, it flew in and I turned around and ran and jumped into his arms. There is still a picture of that moment up on the wall in my mum’s house. I don’t even remember the score – just the goal.
First red card?
I got sent off playing for the reserve team at Portsmouth and I was absolutely devastated. I got a £15 fine too and, back then, that was half my wages.
I was only sent off three or four times in my 22 years playing, so that isn’t too bad.