Name:	Garath McCleary
Nationality:	English
Date of Birth:	15/05/1987
Height:	6' 2" (188cm)
Weight:	12st 0lbs (76.27kg)
Previous
Clubs:	Bromley
Position:	Striker

His first full season in full-time football saw him establish himself on the first team scene at The City Ground.

McCleary, who joined The Reds from non-league Bromley in the January '08 transfer window, made 43 senior appearances last term, including 16 starts.

He impressed many observers with his tricky displays down either flank and will be hoping to force his way into Billy Davies' starting line-up on a more regular basis this term.

McCleary made his debut for Forest just over a month after swopping non-league football for life in the big time.

The ex-Oxford City and Slough Town man took his bow on the first team stage as a substitute in a live televised game against Carlisle.

And against the same opposition a few weeks later he opened his goal account for the club.

Forest debut: March 3, 2008 as substitute v Carlisle (H)  League One

My First......

My first team was Oxford Colts Under 12s but I left within four months because they weren't very good.
The first game I went to was Oxford United against Derby at The Baseball Ground when both teams were in the old First Division. I was in with the Oxford fans but I can't for the life of me remember the score.
My first league appearance was against Carlisle on Sky at The City Ground last season. I came on for the last three minutes and have never ever been more nervous. I remember trying to tie the string on my shorts but my hands were shaking that much I couldn't do it.
My first roommate was Lewis McGugan and believe me, he's annoying that boy. He can talk and talk and talk - and most of the time it's about himself.
My first influence was probably my brother Stewart. He played semi-professional football himself and I used to go and watch a lot of his games. He was good and watching him really pushed me on to have a go at trying to make it in football myself.
My first position was up front. The older I got I started to move back and played in the middle of midfield for a while before moving to the right-hand side - although before I joined Forest I played up front for Slough and Bromley.
The first league ground I played on was Oxford United's Manor Ground for St. John Fisher School in a school's final. I was nine and it was amazing because there was a crowd of 9,000 and we won easily.
My first autograph was Martin Keown on a pair of boots when he came to my school. I saw them in a gym in Oxford during the summer and we got talking. He remembered coming to my school and told me he would keep an eye out for me on Sky this season.
My first goal was against Carlisle at Brunton Park last season. It was a massive moment for me in what proved to be an incredibly important game for the club. I just didn't know how to celebrate - I just ran around like a headless chicken and then started jumping up and down like a kid.
My first pay packet was £260 for a month's work at JD Sports in Oxford. It seemed like a lot of money to me at the time but it was gone within a couple of days.
My first disappointment was not getting a contract with Oxford United. I was there as a kid, left and then went back again but they didn't take me. Then I went back again and they offered me a three-month contract as a third-year trainee, which I wasn't too happy about. I remember the Youth Development Officer there telling me that if I didn't get a professional contract with Oxford I wouldn't get one anywhere. At least, I've proved him wrong.
My first car is the Mini I've got now. I bought it when I joined Forest - it's not a bad first car to have.
My first album would have been '8701' by Usher but I'm not into R 'n' B stuff anymore. I don't like slow music any more - I've grown out of it.
My first holiday abroad was a holiday to Aya Napa when I was 15. I went with my mate and his parents, who paid for me to go. Of course, we didn't get up to any mischief as we were far too young!