Football Firsts: Millwall striker Steve Morison

(Photo: Action Images)

First game you watched live?

That was Spurs v Liverpool at White Hart Lane as they were the biggest local team to me in Enfield. But I was always a Liverpool fan. I went along to the match with my uncle, but I don’t remember the score. It was that long ago! I remember my uncle taking me and it was £25 a ticket in those days.

First football hero?

Definitely Alan Shearer. He was the best goalscorer in the country when I was growing up and you always keep an eye on the best. I haven’t tried to base my play on him or anything like that, though, as he was that good! I just kept an eye on the best and at the time it happened to be him.

First boots?

They were a New Balance pair, with the big white tongue. I’ve actually got rid of them now, though. You hear of a lot of people who keep them around and things like that, but I’m not really sentimental in that way. I’m the type of person where, if I don’t need them, I’ll get rid of them. I still get through a fair few boots now.

First kit?

It was a Liverpool one. My dad was a Man United fan and I wanted to support a team, so I chose Liverpool, probably my rebellious nature then! My dad used to actually buy me a Liverpool shirt for both birthday and Christmas, which was nice of him. It was a case of that was what I wanted for Christmas, so no problem. I didn’t really care about where I was living, I just picked a side I liked and went from there. It wasn’t a local team but I didn’t really care about that side of things. I just play!

First professional game?

Against Cambridge United in 2002 for Northampton Town. I came on as a sub in the last game of the season in a 2-2 draw. It was a local derby, so I think it was a reward for doing well that year. It was my first season in full-time football and it was a massive achievement, I was released from Spurs and on trial at clubs for a couple of years. I actually worked in a restaurant for a bit in between, so to know I made it was a great feeling.

First professional goal?

It was for Northampton against Plymouth in 2003. It was the season after my debut and it was a great feeling. I remember it well. It was a shot that came off the post and, thankfully, I was there to put it in. I actually don’t remember the feeling being too different to normal. It was a hell of a long time ago. As a striker, I just kept being in the right place at the right time and was rewarded. Even when not playing regularly you never lose that.

First red card?

That was for Stevenage against Woking. It was nothing but handbags and I was accused of a headbutt. It was a strange one as anyone who knows me knows I’d never do that. I couldn’t really believe it, but I had to remember that these things do happen. Handbags occur quite a lot in football so thankfully there isn’t a red for every time that occurs!