Brad Young reflects on the early days of his footballing life, watching his boyhood club Sunderland and working his way through the leagues before making his English Football League debut for Bristol Rovers.
The goalkeeper began his career at Hartlepool United, moving out on loan to Billingham Town and Blyth Spartans before signing for former Premier League champions Leicester City in 2021.
He spent four years at the Foxes, having a couple of loan spells away before signing for the Gas ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The shot-stopper had to wait for his chance but fought his way into the side and has made 36 appearances for the Pirates in all competitions.
Looking back on his time in football so far, Young shared his football firsts...
What was your first pair of football boots?
"I think my first pair of football boots would have been some Predator. They were black, silver and red, with the tongue on the old-school ones. They were lovely.
"I wish I kept them; I would make a fortune selling them now. I would have been about five or six. I had a few good ones. I had them and CTR 360s. I used to love them and had a good collection.
The first kit you owned?
"I think my first kit would have been a Sunderland one that was white, by Diadora, with a big Reg Vardy sponsor."
How about your first football team?
"I played for Soccarena Rangers, which was a club in Durham. They had loads of different age groups. I still speak with the majority of them, and we're a close group of friends, really.
"One of them is my best mate from back home, so we still speak now. We group up together, so that's a nice moment."
Your first football memory?
"I think my first football memory would be going to a soccer camp on a Saturday morning with my dad. I was quite introverted; I didn't really want to be involved, and obviously, meeting new people, I was nervous. I just remember crying to my dad because I didn't want to go in."
What was the first live match you attended?
"It would have been a Sunderland game. I feel like it was Sunderland versus Derby. I remember my dad and I went, and I think we were up in the Gods at Sunderland.
"Being a goalkeeper, I remember watching Craig Gordon. I love Craig Gordon. I remember meeting him a few times. Any Sunderland player, I used to love them."
Who was your first football idol?
"I would say, Joe Hart. Growing up, he was England's goalkeeper at Manchester City and Birmingham. I always used to enjoy watching him and try to replicate what he did."
What was the first piece of advice you remember?
"I remember my dad used to say it, and he still says it now: 'dive for everything'. Any shot, he used to say, just to dive for it. I think that's the one that stands out."
Who was the first Bristol Rovers player you roomed with?
"It would have been Luke Southwood in Spain. Luke and I spent the week together, and I think that's what moulded the GK union last year. We got so close, and we created a special bond together. I think that helped us push each other every day."
What was your first professional debut?
"In the league, it would have been Newport last year. That was a memorable one. It was the derby away; it was on Sky. So, it was a nice moment."
How about overall?
"It would have been for Blyth Spartans on my second loan from Hartlepool. We were away at Gloucester, and we got thumped five-nil. That was my first proper game."
When was the first time you were recognised in public?
"At Hartlepool, because there I was a local lad, and you would be walking into Asda and someone would say, 'Alright, Brad' or Up the Pools'. It was a bit of a weird moment.
"Still, now, we were just talking about Cribbs and the Gasheads were walking through, and they were like, 'Up the Gas', It's a nice moment, and I have got a lot of time for it."
