Football firsts
Ex-AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham striker Danny Kedwell’s football memories
First game you watched live?
Gillingham against Rochdale. My cousin took me when I was about six. I can’t remember the year, or the score. All I remember is the singing and the noise. It was absolutely mental - I was in the Rainham End, the main stand behind the goal. I got the bug and I’ve supported them ever since.
First football hero?
The Brazilian Ronaldo. I remember seeing him play for Barcelona on TV, but it was the 1998 World Cup when he really became my hero. He had everything - pace, strength, skill. And the way he could finish was ridiculous.
First football boots?
A pair of Golas which I got from Woolworths at six years old. They were hanging on a rack and cost about £2.50! Black with a bit of white. Very plasticky.
First kit?
The Crown Paints Liverpool kit from 198889. Liverpool were the best team around in the 80s and my uncle was a big fan. The year after my first game at Gillingham he took me up to Anfield and they became my ‘big’ team - the one that I supported besides Gills.
I’ve supported them ever since, been up loads of times. Never played them though. Gillingham bought me from Wimbledon in 2011 and a few years later Wimbledon got Liverpool in the FA Cup. Steven Gerrard another hero of mine - played and scored twice. I was absolutely gutted.
First professional game?
Cheltenham at home, just after I signed for Gillingham in 2011. It was a really good feeling to finally play in the EFL, but the bigger buzz was representing my home club. All the supporters were my mates, all my family were at the game. It was an unbelievable experience.
First professional goal?
It wasn’t the first game, I know that! I think it was Plymouth Argyle in our next home game. A penalty.
People always say to me ‘You must have been nervous’. But you know what? I was the penalty taker at every club I played for and I never got nervous.
Even in the play-off final at Man City, when Wimbledon got promoted to the EFL and I scored the winning penalty against Luton.
I think it’s because I always trusted my method and knew what I was going to do. Keepers these days can watch videos and analyse your kicks to spot patterns. They know everything.
So the day before a game, I’d pick a spot at complete random, decide whether I’d smash it or place it and stick to it no matter what.
First red card?
I was playing for Herne Bay at 16. It was the last game of the season and we were going for the league. All we had to do was beat the team bottom of the league. Within ten minutes, I got sent off for headbutting someone. We drew and lost the league, but I scored 38 goals that season so the manager didn’t give me too much stick!
I’ve never been sent off since, though, which amazes people because I’m not a very nice bloke on the pitch. I’m just clever about it and do things behind the ref’s back. With VAR, I’d be off every week!