Burton Albion wing-back Lucas Akins talks us through his football memories
First game My mum was a huge Arsenal supporter and I remember a few times we got the coach down to Highbury, picking up a few people in Leeds on the way down from Huddersfield. It was (December) 2002 and we went to Arsenal v Liverpool, which ended 1-1. I think Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal and Danny Murphy scored a penalty. That was my earliest memory of a game. First hero Being a big Arsenal supporter, I used to love Ian Wright and also Thierry Henry, who was the man at Arsenal for a long time and carried the team for a few years. I also used to play centremid when I was younger, so I liked Patrick Vieira as well. Similar build to me in that he’s quite rangy and he was a really good player. First boots I think they were probably Mitre ones at junior school, which doubled up as rugby boots as well! I remember, on one of my birthdays, though, I got these Ronaldo R9 boots – the blue ones with the silver on them. I think Ronaldo wore them in the World Cup, so it must’ve been around 1998, I think. I cried when my mum got me them! I was so surprised! I was buzzing with them and then, when I got a bit older and started playing in the academy, my stepdad got me some £140 Mercurial Vapors, which, for a 12-yearold lad, was amazing. They were quality! First kit I have no idea why but I think it was that cream away Liverpool shirt with Carlsberg as a sponsor. I couldn’t tell you why I had that kit, but I just vaguely remember having it. Then I had a few Huddersfield Town ones as well. First match It was playing for Huddersfield against Northampton at Sixfields (in April 2007) and I was 18. It was ironic because, in the FA Youth Cup, I’d scored a hat-trick on that ground not long before. It was a really proud moment for me and I didn’t expect it at all. I found out quite late that I’d be on the bench and then got on in the second half. I think I had a chance to score as well but I took too long to get my shot away! Making my debut for my home town and coming through the academy, it meant my friends and family were really proud, too. First goal I scored for Northwich Victoria when I was on loan from Huddersfield, but my first goal in League One was when I was playing for Tranmere. I’d gone almost all season without scoring for them, playing wide midfield, then I scored a double that day and it would’ve been in (April) 2011. It was nice because it was a lob against Exeter. We won 4-0 that day and I’d got two of them. The second was a header, so it was nice to finally get off the mark and get a bit of confidence. First red card That was against Walsall, playing for Stevenage in 2013. It was an off-the-ball incident when I reacted and probably shouldn’t have! I’ve got hold of the ball, tried to turn and run forward and the defender has got me round the neck. I’ve tried to push him off and the fourth official spotted it. It was probably deserved. He did have me in a headlock, though. It was Paul Downing, who is actually a really good lad.