Exeter City midfielder Lloyd James — One to Eleven: On playing with Adam Lallana at Southampton, idolising Ryan Giggs and facing Dimitar Berbatov

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Exeter City and former Southampton midfielder Lloyd James has his say on exaggerating his age to get a game, doing battle with Dimitar Berbatov and facing his childhood hero Ryan Giggs.

Exeter City midfielder Lloyd James shares his One to Eleven with Sportsmail's James Restall

FIRST FOOTBALL MEMORY 

The first thing I remember was going to training for Keynsham Town under sevens when I was five. The manager asked me if I was available to play in a game and my dad had told me beforehand that I wasn't allowed as I was two years younger. 

As I was walking off I told the manager: 'I'm all right, I'm old enough.' That little porkie pie got me in and I played my first ever game.

BEST PLAYER I'VE PLAYED WITH 

Adam Lallana at Southampton. Gareth Bale is up there but as an all-round footballer I'd have to say Lallana. He had a few injuries when we were in the youth team but once he got a full year, during his second-year scholarship, he came on in leaps and bounds. 

Lallana was a joy to play with. He played off the striker, was always available for a pass and would get me out of a lot of trouble.

James reveals that Adam Lallana is the best player he has played with while at Southampton 

TOUGHEST OPPONENT 

Dimitar Berbatov. I played against him for Southampton in the FA Cup in 2009. He has this aura that he looks a bit lazy but once you play against him you see his movement off the ball and how strong he is.

FAVOURITE FOOTBALLING MOMENT 

There have been a few. To play in two play-off finals at Wembley (with Leyton Orient and Exeter) has been good.

SPORTING HERO 

When I was growing up it was Ryan Giggs. I would always want to be him when I was out playing with my mates... not that I could dribble past players! I played against him in that Cup tie and while he wasn't in his prime, he was still fantastic.

Ryan Giggs was James' idol growing up and he faced the Welshman in the FA Cup in 2009

TOUGHEST AWAY GROUND

Mansfield. It's always a tough place to go and I haven't got too many fond memories of playing there.

THE FIRST ALBUM I BOUGHT 

It would have been a Peter Andre album. I used to love him, the Spice Girls and Mark Morrison when I was a kid.

KARAOKE SONG 

Sweet Caroline. Everybody is singing along with you!

BEST-DRESSED TEAM-MATE

Apart from myself, Ryan Harley is very smartly dressed. But the best-dressed person at the club would be Paul Tisdale, the gaffer.

The midfielder revealed that he would love to invite Sir Alex Ferguson to his dinner party 

DREAM DINNER-PARTY GUESTS 

I've always been a Manchester United fan. I'd like to have a chat with David Beckham, and I would definitely invite Sir Alex Ferguson. I'd have to invite my wife, too.

IF I WASN'T A FOOTBALLER

I would love to be a golfer, but I'm no way good enough. I'm playing off 15, but it could be 28 on a bad day!