football firsts
Leyton Orient goalkeeper Dean Brill talks us through his football memories
First game you watched live?
I hadn’t been to a game as a supporter before I joined the Luton academy at under-10 level. I can’t remember the game I watched, but I recollect watching Kelvin Davis, who was the goalkeeper at the time.
Being in the stands was a lot different to how it feels nowadays. I remember there always being a good atmosphere at Kenilworth Road, and the players and goals seemed huge.
I used to go on to the pitch at half-time most weeks as well for penalty shoot-outs, which was great fun.
First football hero?
As a goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel stands out as someone I watched and thought, ‘wow, this guy is something else’. I remember getting the green Man United goalkeeper shirt and my mum still jokes today that I probably wore it for five or six years until it was too small.
I loved how vocal and imposing he was on the pitch. My teammates will tell you that I took his screaming and shouting into my game!
First football boots?
They were black with an orange Diadora logo on them. I used to love watching Italian football on Sunday mornings and they were like the ones Roberto Baggio wore.
Back in the day, the orange sign was quite extravagant – especially for a goalkeeper – whereas now with multi-coloured boots it doesn’t really matter.
First kit?
I had a grey Luton kit when I was about five or six. I had green and orange ones as well, but I think the grey one was the first.
Luton were my team growing up, but I also had a few random kits as well. I think I had some Tottenham kits, some Manchester United ones and a few England shirts. I was always football daft, so it was easy for my friends and family to treat me at birthdays and Christmas.
First professional game?
I came on as a sub for Luton against Oldham in September 2003 after Rob Beckwith had been sent off. I was only 17 and I remember thinking it was my chance, but we were losing heavily, and the game was pretty much dead.
I remember my home debut better, when I started against Wycombe the week after and we won 3-1. There was a lot of excitement but also nerves, and being from Luton I had friends and family watching. I remember it feeling louder and more intimidating than in the stands, but the older pros looked after me.
First penalty save?
I can’t remember my first one, but I distinctly recollect saving one from my Leyton Orient teammate Matt Harrold when I was at Luton and he was playing for Southend.
He hit it straight down the middle and I saved it between my legs. When Matt signed for Orient, I let him bring it up.
First red card?
I’ve never been sent off and up until a couple of years ago I’d only ever been booked for time-wasting, but I got my first real yellow card for giving away a penalty for Inverness.
The booking was actually rescinded a couple of weeks later because the lad who went down for St Johnstone got done for diving, and the FA later released a video on diving that featured that challenge.
I remember being gutted at the time because I’d never given a penalty away before, but I have given a few away since...