The Football League Paper

football firsts

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Aaron Downes – the former Cheltenham, Chesterfie­ld and Torquay defender talks us through his football memories

First match?

Growing up in Australia, people didn’t really go to football matches – it was either rugby league or cricket. I came to the UK as a 15-year-old and the first match I went to was West Ham v Manchester United in 2002 when I was trialling at the Hammers.

Man Utd won 5-3 but it was a brilliant experience for me at Upton Park. It really re-affirmed my love for the sport, and it was quite inspiring for me to witness the game and hear the noise of 35,000 fans for the first time.

First hero?

I grew up as a Leeds fan because that’s where my father’s from. I was quite lucky that when I was growing up they had a few Australian players in their team, such as Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.

But Rio Ferdinand was someone who was coming through at Leeds at the time I was really getting into football, and he’s someone I looked up to as a defender.

First kit?

We had some family in Leeds, and I had a couple of shirts sent over when I was quite young. I had the home shirt with Packard Bell on it and the away shirt with yellow and blue quarters.

I wore them to every training session until they had holes and was proud of them. Everyone knew about Leeds because of their Australian players, so I didn’t cop too much stick.

First boots?

I had a pair of black Lotto Stadios with the fluorescen­t green logo in the middle. They were quite a classic design and I wore black boots for most of my career after that.

My parents bought them for me when I was five. I don’t have them anymore, but I wish I’d kept them.

First game?

That was for Chesterfie­ld against MK Dons in September 2004 and we drew 2-2. I came on in the first half and scored. I remember the game quite clearly – you never forget your debut. I’d only signed in the July and I’d not been that involved up to that point, but Steve Blatherwic­k got injured, which meant I got a chance.

I’d played a lot of pre-season games, so I was confident and excited to get the chance, and to go on and score made it a great start to my pro career.

First goal?

It was great to score on my debut because not many players do that. I just remember peeling to the far post at a corner and heading it in.

The only way I was ever going to score was from a corner or a set play and I managed to make a nuisance of myself and nod it in.

I scored two goals in my first four games. I got one away at Peterborou­gh in December 2004 as well as an assist, so I was pretty pleased with how I started.

First red card?

It wasn’t until 2012 for Torquay against Rochdale.

I’d scored in the game and luckily the sending off didn’t cost us and we won 4-2.

I’d gone eight or nine years at Chesterfie­ld without a red card and then got sent off in my third league game for Torquay. Luckily it didn’t damage my relationsh­ip with the club too much because I work there now!

 ??  ?? CLASS: Rio Ferdinand
CLASS: Rio Ferdinand

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