Former Irish League defender Graeme Philson has recalled how he made an early impression on Kirk Hunter with a crunching 50-50 tackle during his full debut for Coleraine.
It was back in 1992 that Philson lined out for the Bannsiders at Seaview, eager to make a positive start to his fledgling football career.
And it wasn't long before the 16-year-old centre-half was offered the chance to prove his mettle, in a full-blooded tackle with Crues hard man Hunter.
Read more: That's What I Call Football podcast with Graeme Philson
Philson told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast : "My full debut for Coleraine was against Crusaders at Seaview. I was marking Kirk Hunter.
"I was only 16 and a bit gangly, but I knew of Kirk Hunter. I was just a teenage centre half and he was playing up front.
"I had obviously heard a few stories about him, and he was nicely decorated with tattoos, bit like myself now. The game went on and there was a 50-50 tackle between me and Kirk, and he ended on top of me and there was a bit of a rumble on the ground.
"I remember thinking 'I am going to get dug here'. I thought I was going to get a slap.
"The next thing I felt someone pulling my shirt to drag me up, and there was Kirk Hunter saying, 'great tackle wee man!'."
Philson, who went on to have a distinguished career with clubs including West Ham United and Institute, added: "Kirk was a big man and player, but he could play football. He was a big presence and could be intimidating to play against.
"I suppose I had the enthusiasm of youth on my side and I savoured the occasion.
"I got into the Coleraine team fairly early, and I was a decent talker and communicator at the back. And if you didn't swim you would sink with those players.
"You had to be a strong character, and that's how I was in my career. I was fairly mouthy on the pitch but I enjoyed it."
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