The Debut

I envisaged that after my first 11 v 11 football match in 8 years I would leave the field a hero, having scored a hattrick (the third being a long-range piledriver that just flew into the top corner) and set up a further two goals resulting in a 5-1 victory for the team, while attracting the attention of a scout from the Chicago Fire MLS team who just happened to be walking his dog around the field as we were playing.

The reality was quite different. I trudged off the pitch with no goals, no assists, a huge blister on the bottom of my big toe that was rather difficult to pop in the shower later on, aching legs, and a minor headache from heading the ball using what could only have been the wrong part of my head. Despite a valiant effort, we had gone down 2-0 and I was rusty. Several times I lost possession because I took too long deciding what to do with the ball. That is not to say I didn’t have my moments – a towering headed clearance early on and a first time through ball that was dubiously rules offside (I would love to see the replay and hear the pundits opinion on the decision) spring to mind. Furthermore, I had a wonderful time of course and cannot wait for next week’s game.

There was, however, one thing I had forgotten about football - how bloody exhausting it is. My work ethic was phenomenal and I left the pitch worryingly out of breath. It was only a 20 minute each way game!

The style of my football boots led one small child to go "Mummy! Look! Spiderman shoes!" as I walked to the game.