Rio Ferdinand recalls playing against Arsenal after downing pre-match brandies

mirror.co.uk:

Rio Ferdinand has revealed his first ever appearance against Arsenal came after he had downed three brandy and Cokes in the players' lounge.

The former England defender started his career at West Ham United and was called into action unexpectedly for a Premier League match at the start of the 1996/97 season.

Ferdinand was at Highbury but had not initially been included in the matchday squad. That was until teammate Paulo Futre refused to play due to not being given the No.10 shirt as promised, forcing the Hammers' kit man to dash upstairs to inform Ferdinand he was involved. "I had a brandy and Coke in my hand. 'Put it down'," Ferdinand recalled to the Sun. "I was like, 'Rah, had three brandy and Cokes and about to play at Highbury'." Fortu