Michail Antonio came late to professional football as the now West Ham striker was signed by Reading whilst playing non-league football with Tooting & Mitcham United.
He was then loaned to League One with Cheltenham Town, which led him to make his professional debut in an away match against Leeds United.
He joined Cheltenham in the 2008/09 season, which was Leeds' second season in the third tier of English football but the Jamaican international has spoken about his experience of the atmosphere in Elland Road during his debut and the effect it had on him.
"My debut with Cheltenham was crazy. Leeds at Elland Road. 22,000. I’ve walked out and the roar, it was unbelievable, it was unreal," Antonio told the BBC's Footballer's Football podcast.
"Going from non-league to professional football, within three months I’m at Elland Road in League One. It was an amazing day.
"Even though after twelve minutes I tore three ligaments in my ankle, it’s still today an amazing day for me."
Although the injury he picked up kept him out for a number of weeks, Antonio again referenced the atmosphere in explaining why the day was so important to him.
"It was still an amazing day," he added. Me playing my first professional game after 18 years of trying. Just the roar of the Leeds fans as I was walking out. It made me realise how much I loved football."
Antonio played in front of a packed Elland Road in the Premier League this season and managed to score a late winner after West Ham turned the game around following a first-half goal from Raphinha.
