Football Firsts: Colchester United midfielder Alex Gilbey

First game you watched live?

I went along to watch Arsenal play West Ham at Highbury when I was about six. Arsenal won 1-0, but I can’t remember who scored. What I remember better is the stuff away from the pitch – how loud it was, how people were so excited for the game and the rush of the match day. My dad, Scott, was trying to get me into Arsenal and, from that moment, I loved it. We started going quite regularly after that.

First football hero?

David Beckham was definitely one, especially the way he played for England. Everyone loved him and everyone wanted to be like him. I wanted to take free-kicks like him! I also looked up to Thierry Henry. Going to watch Arsenal, he won us almost every game, so he’s definitely up there. I always knew I wanted to be a midfielder, though, because I like to get stuck in. From that point of view, Patrick Vieira was another one – he was the general.

First pair of boots?

My dad took me to the sports shop and pointed out some Puma Kings with the big floppy tongue. I hated them but he said ‘This is what I wore’ and talked me into them. I was looking at the Adidas Predators because that’s what Becks used to wear. After that, I started wearing Copa Mundials and I still wear Adidas boots these days.

First kit?

That was an Arsenal shirt with the big collar and ‘Sega’ on the front. I loved it and I don’t think I ever took it off. I wouldn’t let my mum, Joanne, put it in the wash. After that, my dad used to buy me different international shirts – I had Holland, Spain and France – and he bought a house in Seville so, when we went on holiday there, I got a Sevilla shirt.

First professional game?

My debut was one to forget. I came on at half-time away to Northampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. We were 1-0 up, but I gave away a penalty and we lost 2-1. It was a tough welcome to men’s football! I thought I had let all the fans down. I can look back at it now and laugh, but my head was all over the place.

First professional goal?

That was probably one of the best feelings of my career. It was away at Wolves. We were 3-0 down when I scored, so I couldn’t really celebrate. We scored again and then hit the post and I thought ‘If that had gone in, I could properly celebrate!’ My goal was a header, too, so it was a bit unusual.

First red card?

A couple weeks ago in the derby against Southend. It was a bad tackle – my standing leg came with me and I knew right away. I looked up and the ref was running over with the red card out. That was probably the worst feeling of my career.