My non-league life – Kyle Perry

So who better to kick-off our new non-league feature...

1 Who's been your best manager ?

It's got to be (Stafford Rangers boss) Neil Kitching! All jokes aside, Kitch would be up there. As would Charlie Blakemore at Chasetown.

2 Best player you played with?

Probably Paul Merson at Walsall. I was there at the end of his career so he never had the legs but the things he could do on a ball were unbelievable. We were playing in a practice game and I thought I'm going to smash him, but he flicked it over my head and made me look an absolute idiot.

3 Most memorable game?

It would have to be for Chasetown in the third round of the FA Cup against Cardiff in January 2008. There were 3,000 people in the crowd, people up in trees, climbing fences. Straight after that game I moved to Port Vale. That cup run allowed me to turn pro, it means a lot to me.

4 Typical non-league moment?

There have been so many ridiculous moments, and not just in non-league either. It's been a circus at time, I've been at clubs run by monkeys, but it's probably best I don't go into specifics!

5 Favourite goal you've scored?

Every one is as good as the last to be honest. In fact, the last one I scored on Wednesday was pretty special. It was only a Walsall Senior Cup game but my brother was playing for Bilston, and he scored. I equalised from the edge of the box, bar and in, and we went on to win 3-1. It meant a lot to my dad.

6 Any pre-match routines?

I used to when I was younger, I was obsessed. Cracking my neck, kissing the badge, but you drive yourself insane. I've got over that now I'm 30. As a team we do a huddle, and we've gone seven unbeaten, so that's one I suppose. Oh and I wear the same cycling shorts.

7 Toughest opponent you've faced?

When I was at Telford we played Fleetwood and Jamie Vardy was on the bench. He came on and scored three within 15 minutes. We didn't stand a chance. You couldn't get anywhere near him.

8 What do you do Saturday night after games?

I'm a single dad, I have my little boy every other weekend. If I lose and I've got him I can feel content. The weekends I don't have him, if we lose, I'm completely miserable.

9 What is your day job?

I'm a freelance graphic designer. I've been doing football programmes and websites and logos for different clubs at makemeoriginal.com. I also sing in a wedding band called Function Band Live. When I turned pro I had a lot of down time, so I started writing music. My band StubbleMelt toured up and down the country with JLS, The Twang, and The Rifles.

10 Closest you have come to the big time?

I was under no illusion. I knew it was going to be taken away from me. When I went to Port Vale the manager was sacked and the guy replacing him said go back to non-league. My proudest achievement is when I was League One Player of the Month.