Local Sport

Dream debut for Elam

25/01/07 - 0 comments

ECFC new-boy Lee Elam capped a dream debut by banging in a hat-trick against former club Weymouth. Exeter strolled to a 4-0 victory over the cash-strapped side, but the scintillating performance from the winger throws up memories of other famous debuts.

Monty Panesar took 5 wickets in the first innings on his Ashes debut, becoming the first English spinner to take a five-wicket haul in Perth (and first English spinner to turn a ball for over a decade).

Mike Tyson made his professional debut on March 6, 1985, in Albany, New York, a fight which he won by a first round knockout over Hector Mercedes. Tyson also managed this triumph without chewing any part of his opponent�s anatomy.

Michael Jordan made a nervy but promising debut for Chicago Bulls back in 1984, scoring 16 points with 7 assists in their 109-93 victory over Washington Bullets. Jordan only had to wait another 10 years before he found his true calling as a Nike salesman.

In 1970, Jimmy Greaves joined West Ham United. He scored on his debut - as he had for every team he played for, including England at full and under 21 level, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Spurs. He also celebrated by downing 5 pints at half-time with a plate of jellied eels.

John McEnroe made his Wimbledon debut at the age of 18 in 1977. McEnroe made it through the qualifiers into the main draw and progressed right up to the semi-finals only to be knocked out by Jimmy Connors. McEnroe showed his usual style along the way, bending his racket underfoot in his quarter-final against Phil Dent, and shortly after kicking it across the court.

Exeter pub Queen Victoria's football team had right-back Rob Spier booked on his debut with his first tackle only 5 minutes into the game. An over-enthusiastic Spier clattered into the back of the opposition left winger with a sliding tackle that lifted both the winger's legs off the playing surface. The amateur referee on the day would have sent off the full-back but he had not brought a red card.