Miles Kane

Miles Kane confesses to skysports.com a skeleton in his closet, along with the rest of his Football Firsts.

Liverpool fan Miles Kane confesses to skysports.com a skeleton in his closet, along with the rest of his Football Firsts

If the secret to success is working with talented people then likeable Liverpool lad Miles Kane might just prove to be the next big thing. Working alongside the Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, who he rightly hails as 'a legend', Kane has also roped in Noel Gallagher, Alex Turner, Beta Band founder Steve Mason, James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco and Dan the Automator to help fine turn a debut solo album that has received a favourable early reception from critics and punters alike. Although just 24 Kane has already earned his stripes in the music industry with the Little Flames and the Rascals, while his friendship with Turner spawned Mercury Prize nominees the Last Shadow Puppets. With Turner currently back with the Arctic Monkeys working on a fourth album, Kane has taken this hiatus in their songwriting partnership to pen a record of his own. Judging from singles Inhaler and Come Closer, he could be one of the faces to watch in 2011. Taking time out from his first tour as a solo artist the affable Kane regaled Football Firsts with his dirty secret and an unlikely friendship with a Toffee.

Liverpool

I'm a Liverpool fan. I've always lived in Liverpool but I was born on the Wirral across the water. I felt sorry for Roy Hodgson when he went. I know he didn't do well but, Jesus, he looked miserable at the end. It's one of the hardest jobs in the world and the press are just terrible. It had to be done to be honest but God bless him, he mustn't be feeling the best at the minute. Kenny Dalglish will give them a lift. Our recent form has picked up and the win at the weekend against Wolves was boss, so it's more positive.

Eric Cantona's testimonial

Weirdly the first game I went to was Eric Cantona's testimonial. I admit it, I used to be a Manchester United fan. My uncle brought me up on it and whenever I was over there he'd be like 'come to United'. He was a massive United fan. My dad was never interested in the footy. But when I got older all my mates were Liverpool fans so I've started to go to Anfield quite a bit with them over the past few years. It's just one of those things. They were always alright to me in Manchester to be fair. I've always had a good relationship with Mancs - be it at doing gigs or at the football. Every show I've done in Manchester the crowd have really had it. They just seem to dig it over there.

Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio. I always remember the dead sunny World Cup in 1994 in America. I can't remember any World Cups before that, even though he'd made a name for himself in Italia '90. I've always been mad for Italy, had a thing for them. The Italy strip was the first I ever owned as well. I wish I still had it actually. The obvious current hero is Steve Gerrard but I've got a bit of a soft spot for Raul Meireles. He's started to come good of late and his last couple of goals have been boss.

Andrei Kanchelskis

Andrei Kanchelskis when he went to Everton after leaving Man United. My mates always go on about him scoring in the derbies, so I'll plump for him. I remember he was rapid and used to torture his full-back. Talking of Everton, Leighton Baines is a mate of mine, he's a lovely lad. He comes round mine and plays Fifa. He'd been to a couple of Rascals (Kane's former band) gigs and then I saw him weirdly at the wrestling. It's my guilty pleasure. We swapped numbers a couple of years ago and have been hanging out ever since. He's massively into his tunes. It's a rare thing for a footballer to be into good music. He got me into Black Angels recently. They've just released their second album and it's just boss. Check it out.

Ray Houghton's goal against Italy in '94

This one's linked to my hero Baggio. It's another memory from the 1994 World Cup. I distinctly remember Houghton's goal against Italy in the baking heat. It was a long range shot that looped over the keeper, class effort. I don't know what it was about that World Cup but it definitely struck a cord with me. Let's see, I would have been eight at the time.

West Kirby Wasps

Our manager was Nick Power's dad, who's in the Coral with my cousins who are the singer and drummer (the Skellys). Nick's a bit older but he's from the same area as me. I also had trials for Tranmere Rovers. I still play on a Friday night with my mates in Liverpool. We have a game every week, it's 8-a-side on a big astro pitch. I used to be alright, still am really, but from about 18 up until a couple of years ago I didn't play. Slowly it takes a while to get your confidence back but I'm alright again now.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis

I think it was (What's the Story) Morning Glory? I know it sounds obvious but I'm sure I got it from Woolworths. I was always a big Oasis fan. Noel sings harmony on a track on my record. It was only a little thing but he came to the studio for an afternoon and hung out. It was lovely. I love Beady Eye too, especially Four Letter Word. We're supporting them in March which I can't wait for. They're both lovely lads. It's great to see them back. Hopefully they'll bring a bit of rock and roll to the charts. There's not one guitar band in the top forty. I'd love to get in the charts and have it. The radio is awful at the minute - just so boring. It needs to change. My record's rock and roll but there's a pop element there too. I want my records in the charts and on the radio. I want to get it out there and break that barrier. It's influenced by John Lennon and T-Rex. It's got that groove feel. You can have a good dance to it, I love it. Miles Kane releases 'Come Closer' from his debut solo album on February 21st on Columbia Records. Visit Miles: www.mileskane.com