We hear from Mike Penders, fresh from making his Premier League debut for Chelsea, about his earliest experiences of the game.
The goalkeeper, who came on in our 2-0 win at Everton last weekend, answers our quickfire questions so Blues fans can get to know him better…
**What was the first football match you went to?**
That would be the Belgium national team in the King Baudouin Stadium when I was kid.
**What was the first football kit you owned?**
It was a Belgium shirt, the outfield one not the goalkeeper one!
**What was the first team you played for?**
Boorsem Sport, a local team where I live.
**Who was your first coach?**
They’re maybe not the first, but I would say goalkeeper coaches from Genk from the past: Paul Peeters, Gilbert Roex and Koen Witters.
**Who was your first team-mate who became a friend?**
That is my best friend, he is called Gerben. We played together when we were about eight years old.
**Who was your first professional game against?**
It was in the second division in Belgium. They were professional by then. It was for Genk’s second team against Waasland-Beveren.
**Who was your first goal against?**
I remember scoring once when I was very young! It was on the very small pitches and I was playing for Boorsem. It will stay in my mind forever!
**Can you remember the first time somebody recognised you in public?**
That was when I was at Genk, when I started to play some games there. I can remember it a little bit.
**What was your first emotion when you signed for Chelsea?**
It was amazing, of course. One of the biggest teams in the world. You don’t need a lot of persuasion to do that!