football firsts
Former Crystal Palace striker Steve Kabba talks us through his football memories
First match? This is a real test. It would have been at Selhurst Park, that’s for sure. I think it was 1992 and it was Crystal Palace, but who the opposition was I cannot remember. It was quite local for me, being from South London. First hero? Ian Wright, but I liked John Barnes, too. Ian’s enthusiasm was incredible. I’m an Arsenal fan, but my dad was a Spurs fan, so I also remember watching Gary Lineker and Chris Waddle. But Wrighty is who I took most from. I’ve met him a couple of times since then, which is great. First boots? I think they were Puma Kings and I probably wore them until they had a hole in them, I think! But I was a Nike man most of my career. They fit me much better than anything else because I have quite wide feet. The Pumas with the big tongue were pretty comfy, to be fair. They don’t make them like that any more! The new boots don’t feel the same. It’s like you’re wearing just socks because they’re so light. First kit? I remember my mum bringing me home a random West Ham United kit. I remember the colours and thinking ‘what is this?!’ It was terrible and it wasn’t even authentic! I was thinking this wasn’t my team. I hardly wore it! The first kit I bought myself was an Arsenal kit. It was probably the JVC 1990s kit. It had the three stripes across the chest and it was made by Adidas. I remember the Adidas logo peeling off and I tried to superglue it back on! First game? My debut was for Crystal Palace. I was 18 at the time and I played against Crewe away. I was training with the first team quite a bit at that age, but I wasn’t in the squad for this game. But then one of Clinton Morrison or Leon McKenzie went down with an injury on the Thursday and I got pulled into the squad. I thought I was going to be on the bench, but then I started. I was texting my mum and telling her I was starting, but it wasn’t the greatest experience. I remember it being terrible weather and Crewe played very well. I was chasing shadows and I was subbed before half-time! Steve Coppell told me: “This isn’t the game for you, son.” I just wanted to play until half-time at the very least, but it was a harsh lesson learned. First goal? It took a while because of injuries. It was the first game of the 2002-03 season away at Preston and I came on to score the winner, a left-foot volley into the top corner. I will never forget that! To score the winning goal was incredible. I also scored in a penalty shoot-out against Tranmere in the League Cup in 2000. It was the winning penalty at Selhurst Park. I ran around like crazy, but I consider the Preston goal to be my first actual goal. First red card? I got sent off just the once and it was for a second bookable offence, which eventually got rescinded. So, I don’t know if
that counts really. I did the walk of shame! I was playing for Watford away to Hull. I’d been booked and I went in for another tackle. I didn’t touch the player and he went over like I had shot him and the referee gave me that second yellow. But it got rescinded, so I like to think it doesn’t count!