In this edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff catches up with former Giant Blackpool and Orlando Pirates strongman Gavin Lane.
Who you signed for?
"That was Giant Black, but I was working on the side because then you had to work and not depend on soccer only.
"The league was semi-professional, I worked during the day and trained in the afternoons.
"So, my first pay cheque came in 1989 when I joined Giant Blackpool ja. They signed me from my amateur team in Boksburg, but I first went to the army in the Airforce. You know before we all had two years of national service. You either went to the Army or to the Airforce, So I went to the Airforce…but I didn't do anything really at the Airforce. I didn't fly anything I ended up looking after the swimming pool and all the nice young ladies there in Pretoria [laughs].
"Fanie Madida, Geelbooi 'Gomma Gomma, Shoes Moshoeu, Jury Bantwana they were all my teammates.
How much was it?
"I think my first salary there at Giant Blackpool was R1500 hey. It wasn't a lot but fair. Remember we had day jobs then. We progressed a little further and the salaries became a bit decent at Blackpool."
How I celebrated?
"I've always liked my beer so obviously I had a cool time. I'm not too sure but definitely I had a beer [laughs]. I had a very close friend from Benoni at Giant Blackpool."
"What I bought with it?
"I can't really remember I was very young back then."
Did it last you the full month?
"It probably did because remember I had another job and the company I was working for gave me a car, So whether it did cover me for the whole month I'm not too sure hey.
"Remember in those days you could buy a beer for like R2. These days players sit on the bench a lot but they still smiling because they are earning a lot of money.
"I wish I was still playing today because I would earn lekker, lekker money. I was a big player man I'd be earning way more than R200 000 [huge laughter].
"I was born at the wrong time but honestly still enjoying my life so far."