Football firsts
Former Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith talks us through his football memories
First game you watched live?
Watford v Wolves in the late 80s, maybe the early 90s. Gary Porter was playing, and I think he might have scored.
I can’t remember why I went along. I’d guess my grandad took me, because my dad always loved cricket and that was what he wanted me to play.
But as you get older, the ball gets harder and it got to the point where I was thinking ‘If I get hit by one of these, it’s really going to hurt!’. I’ll stick to football, thanks.
First football hero?
Alan Shearer. When I was growing up, he was scoring goals left, right and centre for Blackburn Rovers. Later, it was Kevin Phillips at Watford. I think they both had an influence on who I became as a player.
I was very lucky that Watford ended up playing Blackburn in the League Cup one year so I got to see Shearer in the flesh. I don’t think some people realise what an incredible player he was in those early days.
First football boots?
A pair of Diadoras with a luminous yellow logo. They were astros rather than studs, because that’s what I played on as a kid.
There was a lot more variety back then. The big brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma hadn’t really saturated the market so you got kids in HiTech, Diadora, Mizuno and nobody looked down on it. It was much better.
First kit?
A Watford kit which I won in a competition, which was amazing. I think I had to draw something and I’m not much of an artist so I’ve no idea how I won! But I was over the moon.
It was a grey away kit, from about 1993 or 1994. Shorts, socks, full kit. I wore it every day, non-stop, until the sponsor dropped off and the whole thing fell to pieces. I had a Blackburn kit as well with Shearer’s name on the back.
First professional game?
That would have been for Peterborough United, coming on as a sub against Wrexham in February 2007.
Just before my 23rd birthday.
First professional goal?
Bury away, in my third game for Peterborough. I still remember it now. The ball was played over the top and I chested it down and nicked it past the keeper.
To go and play professional football was a dream and to then score as well - it was a real pinch yourself moment. It was like ‘Wow, I’m an actual footballer’.
I was relieved to get off the mark but, to be honest, I was very naive back then. I took nothing seriously and genuinely went out to enjoy
myself.
First red card?
I’ve been playing since I was 16, nearly 20 years, and
I’ve never had one. I’ve had bookings and final warnings. I’ve always played right to the edge - always in the grey area.
I’m very placid by nature, and I’ve had my brother and sister winding me up for years. If I can take that, I can take anything on a football pitch!