Football Firsts: Cardiff City defender Lee Peltier

First game you watched live?

I went to Prenton Park to see Tranmere Rovers back when they were in the Championship. It must have been nearly 18 years ago now and I can’t remember who they played. I remember Dave Challinor had the longest throw-in I had ever seen.

When I moved to Liverpool, I went to Anfield and remember the fans in the Kop and the Never Walk Alone anthem getting sung.

First football hero?

Steve McManaman. I used to love it when he kept the ball and dribbled past everyone. He was a really good player. I saw him a couple of times live and then at the training ground when I was in the reserves, where I got to speak to him as well.

It was amazing going to the Liverpool training ground meeting players like Steve and Paul Ince.

First pair of boots?

My first pair were Puma Kings, which I bought off my mate Steven at school, for a fiver. He was selling a pair of boots and I didn’t have any at the time. It was quite an easy deal to strike, but I think I got the bad end of it. I was dying for a pair and my mum wouldn’t get me any. I had them for a good few months, but I wore them right through because I used to play in the street.

First kit?

I had a Brazil kit. It was in the window of a little sports shop near where I lived and I got it for my birthday from my parents. I used to have it on constantly as soon as I got home from school.

First professional game?

For Liverpool against Reading in the Carling Cup. I remember playing and thinking it was a dream come true to play at Anfield in front of The Kop. We won 4-3. I cut my eye and needed stitches, but I kept playing and got the stitches afterwards.

First professional goal?

It was for Yeovil against Swindon in 2008. It put us 2-0 up in a 3-2 win and I remember I dedicated it to Darren Way because he’d just been involved in a really bad car crash.

He ended up retiring after the accident unfortunately.

First red card?

I got sent off twice in the same season while playing for Huddersfield, against Everton in the cup and then against Yeovil, my old team. I got sent off in the second half with a straight red for an accidental elbow. It was a bit harsh. It looked a lot worse than it was.

My manager, Lee Clark, was not a happy man and I was lucky that we drew the game 1-1. If we had lost, I would have been in big trouble, I still got fined.