THE MAGAZINE FOR THE GOALKEEPING PROFESSION
£4.50
TM
AUTUMN 2011
N O RD
Craig
GO
SAVE OF THE SEASON?
The greatest saves of all time GK1 looks at the top 5 saves in the history of the game Coaching Corner The art of saving penalties Equipment Precision, Uhlsport & Sells Goalkeeper Products Kid Gloves The stars of the future On the Move Summary of the latest GK transfers Business Pages Key developments affecting the professional ‘keeper
Exclusive interviews with: Gordon Banks OBE Gary Bailey Kasper Schmeichel Also featuring: Alex McCarthy, Reading FC John Ruddy, Norwich City Alex Smithies, Huddersfield Town Bob Wilson OBE
Welcome to
The magazine exclusively for the professional goalkeeping community.
Editor’s note Andy Evans / Editor-in-Chief of GK1 and Chairman of World In Motion ltd
Welcome to the Autumn edition of
suppliers, coaches and managers alike we are
GK1 – the magazine exclusively for the
proud to deliver the third issue of a magazine
professional goalkeeping community.
dedicated entirely to the art of goalkeeping.
After a frenetic summer of goalkeeper
GK1 covers the key elements required of
transfer activity – with Manchester
a professional goalkeeper, with coaching
United, Liverpool, Chelsea and
features, equipment updates, a summary
Tottenham amongst those bolstering
of key transfers and features covering the
their goalkeeping ranks – our latest
uniqueness of the goalkeeper to a football
edition of GK1 brings you a full and
team. The magazine also includes regular
comprehensive round-up of all the
features ‘On-the-Move’, summarising all the
‘keepers who made moves in the Summer
latest transfers involving the UK’s professional
2011 transfer window. We also catch
goalkeepers; ‘Kid Gloves’, promoting the
up with legendary goalkeepers Gordon
country’s up-and-coming goalkeeping
Banks OBE and Bob Wilson OBE, and give
starlets; ‘Outside the box’, focusing on life after
our verdict on the five greatest saves
football, and many other goalkeeper specific
of all time. We bring you an exclusive
topics. In ‘The Business Pages’, GK1 offers a
interview with John Ruddy - one of
summary of the key developments – legal,
just 4 English goalkeepers to start for
contractual and administrative - to affect the
a Premier League club on the season’s
professional goalkeeper. GK1 is a magazine
opening weekend – and sit down with
for the goalkeeping profession. We actively
four of England’s brightest goalkeeping
encourage your contribution, so please feel
prospects, underlining that despite a
free to contact us with your suggestions as to
current shortage of home-grown Premier
how we can improve YOUR magazine.
League GK talent, the future of England goalkeeping is in safe hands. With the endorsement of the leading players, key brands, glove and equipment
GK1 Magazine is published by World in Motion ltd, a leading global management company and the UK’s foremost agency for professional goalkeepers.
CONTENTS GK1 Management, Chancery House, 1 Lochaline Street, London, W6 9SJ info@gk1.co.uk Tel: +(44) 208 741 6060 www.gk1.co.uk Publisher: World In Motion ltd Editor-in-Chief: Andy Evans Deputy Editor: Charlie McNicholas Commercial Editor: William Pethybridge Features Editor: Rob Dakin Design: Tim Alexander
How did he do that? 4 The greatest saves of all time Exclusive Interview: 6 Safe as the Banks of England Gordon Banks Coaching corner 10 Featuring: Science fiction or science fact an indispensible guide to saving a spot kick Learning the trade - just4keepers News in brief 15 Exclusive Interview: 16 Ruddy brilliant John Ruddy Paradise found 18 Matt Jones
Well done Bob 20 Bob Wilson’s charity bike ride On the move 22 All the latest transfer news Kid Gloves 26 The stars of the future Where are they now? 30 Ian Feuer The Business Pages 31 Featuring: Neil Doncaster - crucial SPL vote Outside the box 32 Ex-England stopper Gary Bailey Essential Equipment 36 The latest goalkeeping products Precision Goalkeeping 38 with Kasper Schmeichel AUTUMN 2011
3
How
did he do that? GK1 asks a select group of the nation’s top goalkeeping coaches for their Top 5 great saves of all time.
GK1
headquarters
striker Rivaldo. Ridiculous really. www.
more than three yards out. Goal? With the
and as per
youtube.com/watch?v=iieYg7Sm8FM
Scottish keeper stranded following the
usual, opinions
were flying back and forth across the office as to the greatest save of all time. Prompted by Craig Gordon’s miraculous save for Sunderland against Bolton, we were
4
penalty box pinball you’d have thought Peter Schmeichel: Rapid
so. Yet with the Bolton fans starting to
Vienna v Manchester United,
celebrate, the mighty Scot managed to
Champions League, 1996
incredibly stretch a giant arm backwards,
Similar in several ways to our
put it under the ball, and scoop the ball
extolling the virtues of a host of famous
winner. Schmeichel pulled off a save to
out from under the bar. www.youtube.
saves, some old, some new.
rank alongside Banks’ legendary stop
com/watch?v=PqAmG3xK9_Y
Enter, GK1 editor Andy Evans to restore
from Pele in the World Cup in 1970 as
order before concluding there’s only one
United beat Rapid Vienna 2-0 to go into
solution!
the quarter finals of the European Cup. He
And so to kick off your latest edition, GK1
went down to his right and defied logic
2
Jim Montgomery: Sunderland v Leeds United, FA Cup Final 1973 Jim’s effort would have to come
has surveyed a group of top goalkeeping
by scooping the ball up and somehow
coaches to bring you the Top Five jaw-
over the bar from Rapid’s Rene Wagner.
‘double-save’ competition. The first save is
dropping, eye-bulging, gravity-defying
Banks once said: “It was as good as mine
good, but the second has near paranormal
saves of all time.
against Pele.’’ Sorry Gordon, but our
qualities. Commentator Brian Moore takes
judges beg to differ! www.youtube.com/
a while to realise it’s not a goal. Monty’s
watch?v=UZvJ8GT73rM
efforts coupled with Ian Porterfield’s goal
(In reverse order:)
5
Gregory Coupet: Barcelona v Lyon, Champions League, 1999 After just two minutes at the Nou Camp the Lyon keeper pulled
out one of the all-time great stops as he
3
close to winning, were this a
combined to cause one of the great FA Cup Craig Gordon: Sunderland
upsets of all time. www.youtube.com/
v Bolton, Premier League
watch?v=PZmFoo4payA
December 2010 With just a few seconds left
first acrobatically headed an unintended
at the end of the first half Bolton won
lobbed backpass by a defender onto his
a corner. Gary Cahill headed into the
own crossbar, and then immediately parried
danger area before Zat Knight smacked
a close header by the arriving Barcelona
a shot towards a gaping goal from little
1
Gordon Banks. England v Brazil World Cup 1970 Turn the page for more… www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ngE9RCAdWaE
Craig Gordon’s wonder save against Bolton, December 2010 AUTUMN 2011
5
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Gordon Banks
Safe as the Banks of England During England’s glory years, the No1 jersey belonged to Gordon Banks OBE. For some, possibly the game’s finest exponent of the art of goalkeeping. Banks has received endless accolades - not to mention a World Cup winners’ medal - but he knows he’ll always be best remembered not for one season, one tournament or even one game - but for one save...that just happened to be the greatest save of all time!
M
ore than forty years on, following GK1’s canvas of opinions, we had the pleasure of
congratulating Gordon, who took time out to recall the memories of the day he wrote his name into footballing folklore in the sweltering heat of Guadalajara.
‘Gol’ “It’s true,” recalls Gordon. “He shouted ‘Gol’ as he headed it!” It had taken the greatest player of all time to bring out the very best from the finest ‘keeper these shores have ever produced. Not one to use a dozen words, when one or two will do, Banks warms to the topic as the memories of that roasting-hot day - and a very special pair of gloves - come flooding back. “To be honest, I thought it had gone 6
AUTUMN 2011
in! But as soon as I realised I’d kept it out, I knew I’d done something a bit different,” says the typically modest Yorkshireman.
Hot and Bothered “Everything that day was in Brazil’s favour. It was a midday kick off. The only shadows were around your feet and it was 102 degrees out on a rock-hard pitch. In the team-talk, Alf (Ramsey) told us to keep possession and hold off from sprinting until the final third otherwise we’d be dead by half time.” From the start, Banks watched on as the World Cup holders struggled to cope with the flair and pace of the tournament favourites, Brazil. Yet even prior to that great day, the Brazilians had the upper-hand, thanks to some under-hand tactics from the locals. “Brazil had been in town for a couple of weeks, handing out little flags, meeting and greeting the locals,” recalls Banks, who kept for his country on 73 occasions. “And the night before the game, local fans stopped the traffic outside our hotel at about 2am and of course all the car horns
Banks with Brazil legend Pele
that little fella Tostão was unmarked on the
73-year-old, who now travels to Liverpool to
near post!”
sit on the weekend Pools Panel.
Like so many great keepers, Banks relied on
“Because I was diving backwards, the
his positional instincts, making his way across
bottom half of my body swung around
the goalmouth in the blink of an eye as Pele
and I ended up facing almost backwards...
rose to send a bullet header goalwards.
and that’s when I saw the ball bouncing
The reason why this awe-inspiring effort
away.
started. It took the police a couple of hours
seemingly never grows old has much to do
to restore peace and quiet by which time we
with the need for anticipation. It wasn’t a
clipped me on the top of the head. Tostão
were all wide awake! Then they came back
knee-jerk instinctive save from a point-blank
had his hands in the air then started
again and did the same thing.”
shot. Everything Banks did that day came
clapping. Pele had his hand in the air, almost
“Moore-o (Bobby Moore) came and
from a split-second conscious ability to judge
asking how that had happened,”... a question
make any difference in the end. On the day
exactly what he needed to do to keep his team
no one has ever really answered.
we played superbly.”
level.
“A bit naughty but to be honest, it didn’t
“I never used to stand on my line, always
Best Laid Plans
Don’t Look Up
two or three yards off it. Thank goodness. I
“We created more chances and should have
Banks was to make save after save to keep
looked at his take-off point and his balance
won. In fact, that was the first time I started
England level - a consummate athlete at the
to help work out which way the header was
to believe that we could go on and win the
peak of his powers. Just ten minutes into
going. That’s when I also heard him shout
World Cup again...and I thought we’d see
the game, the attack and its fabled outcome
‘Gol’!”
Brazil again in the final. That time, they’d be
began with the Brazilian captain Carlos Alberto. “He was such an amazing player. He fizzed this beautiful pass with the outside of his right foot, to Jairzinho. In a flash, he
“I knew straight away I’d have to guess how high the ball would bounce off the
the ones who were nervous.” Sadly, Banks’ plans were to be foiled days
rock-hard surface whilst at the same time
later by a severe stomach upset, confining
reaching behind me.”
him to hotel quarters while a two-nil lead
Watching the save back in real time does
became a 3-2 defeat to West Germany. “Of course I was disappointed. I think I
ghosted past Terry Cooper towards the
little justice to Banks’ efforts. Only in slow
by-line. For a moment it looked like he’d
motion can you consider the acrobatic ability,
was a better keeper in ‘70 than in ‘66. I was
over-run it. If he managed to get the cross in
the calculations necessary, the instincts and
in my thirties, all the experience I’d gained
I knew we were in trouble. He looked up and
the amazing distance covered...all in the blink
for England and at club level and I was in
so did I...and quickly wished I hadn’t!”
of an eye.
such good form; supremely confident in my
“Rivelino was charging in from the left, Pele was sprinting through the middle and
“I just thought it was a goal. I’d managed to get the top of my thumb to it,” recalls the
abilities. It felt like it was my time and I know that spread to the players around me.” AUTUMN 2011
7
as it was nil-nil at the time. Like they say, sometimes saving a goal’s as important as scoring one.” So often these days polls are dominated by recent players, recent goals, recent teams...yet in some ways it’s the legacy of Banks’ moment which is the most significant. “I suppose it’s the internet which keeps the interest these days. Kids can listen to their dads, well their grand-dads, then log on and read about it and play it over again and make their own judgements. “I’m sure it helps that the header was from Pele. He was the very best I ever saw, built to play football with such a great brain. “We didn’t talk about it at the time, just shook hands as we left the field. It never really cropped up again until we got home.” Years later, the Brazilian legend came over to the UK to collect yet another award - and not for the first time explained why his memories of the day are so clear. “I’ve played all over the globe, won World Cups, scoring more than 1000 goals. went and found some at a local sports shop.
But every time I come here to England, the
The palms and the backs of the fingers were
only thing people ask me about is Gordon
As the Pele save had proven, if it was save-
covered in those pimples you find on a table
Banks!”
able, Banks was your man.
tennis bat! I popped them on at training the
Wonder Gloves More than four decades later, the memories are undiminished, the pride still
next day and they were terrific. “Because we were at altitude, the ball
there and the recollections saved for a lucky
was moving about a bit and so my handling
few.
wasn’t what it needed to be.
But our chat reveals a chapter of the
“Five minutes with these gloves on and
Banks on Today’s Keepers GK1: So who does Gordon Banks
story lost in the midst of time regarding the
I couldn’t drop a thing. They were brilliant
enjoying watching these days?
gloves he wore that day.
and sent my confidence through the roof
GB: “I get down to the Britannia Stadium
and they’re the ones you see me wearing in
when I can to see Stoke (He’s the Hon. Club
Guadalajara.
President ) and sometimes to Leicester. Joe
“In the heat of the Mexican sun, the players wore as little as possible. The keeper’s attire couldn’t have been more simple - cotton shirt, ordinary shorts and a cap if the sun shone,” remembers Gordon. In England, keepers only wore gloves if
“To be honest I couldn’t wait to get home to see if I could flog a few pairs,” he joked.
Legacy
Hart is a terrific talent. He’s had a tough time of late, but he’s young and he’ll be great for England in years to come. “I’m not surprised to see Craig Gordon’s
it was wet! Little woollen ones at that! That
It wasn’t really until England’s GK1 returned
save in the Top 5. He’s a special talent
was until a week or so before the Brazil
home that the fascination with THAT save
and that was a real reflex save from very
match.
became apparent.
close range and he had to fetch the
“I was lying in bed watching a football
“Every time I was interviewed on TV or
ball almost from behind him. He’s of
match in my hotel room and saw this
by the newspapers, the question about the
an age where he’ll keep on improving
Mexican keeper had these big gloves on,”
save came up over and over again.”
and Scotland have got themselves an
remembers Banks. “I went straight to Alf (Ramsey) and asked if I could go into town to find some. Off I 8
AUTUMN 2011
So does he tire of discussing it?
excellent talent there. Reina’s another
“I can’t afford to! No, seriously, I’m very
terrific keeper I’d pay to go and see.”
proud to have made the save especially
COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING
Science Fict or Science
FACT
Some say it’s an art, others insist it’s a precise discipline. Either way, this month, GK1 looks at the evidence to see if there really is an indispensible guide to saving a spot kick.
CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER
ion
T
he casino barons of Las Vegas
wearing red and then had the same ‘keeper
couldn’t get away with loading
change his shirt to a coloured one. After
the dice against you as much
all the penalties had been taken he saw
as this! For heaven’s sake,
that only 54% of penalties were scored
he’s only 12 yards away! No defenders
against the keeper in red as opposed to
to worry about, time on his side and
69%, 72% and 75% against ‘keepers wearing
just you, with a hope and the occasional
yellow, blue and green shirts respectively.
prayer to stop what four times out of five,
Considering only 20% of all penalties are
is the inevitable...a goal.
saved in professional football this increase in
The boffins working on behalf of the
save percentage by wearing red is certainly
penalty takers reckon they’ve devised the
not to be sniffed at. But, red is not a colour
perfect penalty: one which no keeper,
commonly worn by goalkeepers in England.
however agile, however focused, however
In the 2010/11 Premier League season no
lucky, has the proverbial ‘cat in hell’s chance’
goalkeeper wore red.
of saving!
Sadly, having worn red winning the
All it takes is a run up of 5 or 6 paces, approaching the ball at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees, kicking it at 65 mph, crossing the line 50 cms below crossbar and inside the post, unstoppable! Well, with all due respect, GK1 scoffs at the theory of a perfect penalty! Our research
World Cup back in 1966, it’s likely to be a long time before England’s GK1 wears red!
Stand Off-Centre
2
In theory it makes no sense... but every keeper’s tried a version of this at one time or another. Researchers in
has gathered together the thoughts of some of the finest scientific, psychological and
Hong Kong learnt that if a ‘keeper stands a
good old fashioned footballing brains to
small distance closer to one post than the
give you the optimum chance to become
other it may not be obvious to the kicker
this weekend’s penalty hero!
but subconsciously the penalty taker knows
Seeing Red
1
which side has a larger target area and will tend to shoot that way. Armed with this
Since the late 1890’s, when
information the ‘keeper is in a stronger
keepers first wore a different
position to dive to the larger area and can
coloured-jersey, green has
increase his chance of saving the kick.
been the predominant colour
Researchers found that by moving just
of choice. But latest research from the
10cm towards one side of the goal and
University of Chichester confirms green
making one side of the goal 3% bigger,
is the least successful colour to wear and
the goalkeeper can increase his chance of
actually red should be the ‘must have’ colour
saving the penalty by as much as 15% even
in every goalkeepers’ wardrobe this Autumn.
before the kicker begins his run up.
Award-winning psychologist, Dr Iain Greenlees found that ‘keepers in green saved one in four spot kicks compared to the ones in red who saved almost half! His studies noted that red is seen as a signal of danger in the natural world
What to Watch For
3
Away from Far Eastern philosophies into the footballmad city of Liverpool - and no surprise their boffins have had
and therefore penalty takers notice the
little better to do than spend valuable hours
goalkeeper more easily. It encourages a
researching football! But Mark Williams, from
natural fear of failure and makes the ‘keeper
the John Moores University, believes he’s
look bigger in the goal than he would
stumbled upon a treasure trove for keepers in
wearing a different colour.
need of all the help they can get.
He used 40 football players and asked them to take 10 penalties against a ‘keeper
He reckons in the time between the award of the penalty to the spot AUTUMN 2011 11
COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING kick taking place, there’s a gold mine of
“We do many things on two levels, such
information to be gleaned to help predict
as thinking where to put the ball (or where
where a penalty taker will shoot.
to fake it), but not thinking about what the
He saw how more experienced goalkeepers considered such elements as
feet, legs and body will do to achieve it.” So, the more the pressure, the more
his standing leg, kicking leg and hips for the
likely they are to disguise where they’re
opponent.
planning to aim?
He believes by looking at the ‘shape’ a
“The more we practise, the more our
player adopts before taking the penalty the
actions become automatic skills,” explains
‘keeper can stop penalty saving from being
Peter.
a lottery. “From the point of view of the player
“They become unconscious memories of how to react. These memories take over
taking the penalty the optimal position for
when thinking fails, such as in front of
the standing foot is facing directly down the
80,000 fans.”
middle of the goal,” said Professor Williams. “When the goalkeeper saw the penalty taker’s foot face towards the left or right hand side of the goal it allowed the ‘keeper the necessary information to predict where the penalty would be taken. Standing foot points left, penalty going to the left;
Ashley Barnes - Photo by Paul Hazlewood
Increase their Anxiety Levels
4
“In a penalty kicking competition the only thing that threatens success is the goalkeeper, so we monitor his movements.”
No one’s expecting you to save
The research proved that if a kicker’s
the penalty, so why worry? The
eyes are drawn to the goalkeeper, he tends
stress and the strain are all on
to shoot in that direction and overcoming
the shoulders of the taker. For
this tendency was significantly harder when
standing foot points right, penalty goes to
decades now, keepers have employed less
penalty takers were under pressure, or in a
the right hand side of the goal.”
than gentlemanly time-wasting techniques.
“threat condition”.
The research was backed up with the help of the nation’s most successful penalty taker, Matt Le Tissier, who converted a staggering 49 of the 50 penalties he took. “My approach to penalties was always
Few have done so more successfully than ol’ spaghetti legs himself, Bruce Grobelaar. Researchers at Exeter University believe
And as Grobbelaar appeared to know instinctively, goalkeepers can make themselves more likely to attract the
his crazy antics in Liverpool’s 1984 European
kicker’s gaze by appearing larger than life or
Cup final victory against AS Roma are the
clowning around.
the same. Pick my favourite spot and focus
perfect example of how to become ‘a threat’
on the strike of the ball. I never thought I
to someone with plenty on their plate
by a later Liverpool goalkeeper, Jerzy Dudek
was giving away any clues to the ‘keeper but
already. Frankly, the last thing they need, is
who copied Grobbelaar’s spaghetti legs
it looks like I was wrong!’
you showing off!
routine and saved two penalties in the 2005
Psychologist Peter Naish agrees that the signs are there if you look closely enough. “Penalty takers mention not thinking too
“The research shows that we focus on things in the environment that we find threatening,” said psychologist Greg Wood,
The same tactic was used to good effect
Champions League final against AC Milan to win the match. “During a highly stressful situation, we
deeply, yet trying to fool the goalkeeper,” he
who led the study at the University’s School
are more likely to be distracted by any
said.
of Sport and Health Sciences.
threatening stimuli and focus on them rather than the task in hand,” said Greg. “So, when a penalty taker is about to start his run up naturally he will focus on the goalkeeper rather than spaces all around him. This disrupts the aiming of the shot and increases the likelihood of subsequently hitting the shot towards the goalkeeper, making it easier to save.’ This school of thought is echoed by football watchers and supporters. They all say ‘pick a spot, stick to it and ignore the ‘keeper.’ So there is another piece of information a ‘keeper might be able to pick Petr Cech
12 AUTUMN 2011
up on, the attacker’s eyes, is he looking
CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER one way? Can you distract him? If you can get him to focus on you and not his spot then there is a greater chance he will take a
Colour of Goalkeeper’s Top Goals Conceded
penalty which can be saved.
72%
More interestingly, keepers can learn a great deal from the advice given to penalty takers by sports psychologists. “I would tell penalty takers to pretend you are in a practice match, look at where you are going to hit the ball and aim it
69%
the penalty as long as possible. I’m not sure how well it works because you do still need to have a bit of luck.
There’s only one safe bet!
6
75%
54%
The best news of all is that, thankfully, your opponent rarely produces the perfect penalty. And armed with GK1’s
research, we hope you’ll be saving even
there. Totally ignore the goalkeeper. Even if
more penalties this season! The academics
he knows where the ball is going he is not
certainly think so. Surely, if a ‘keeper
going to get to it if it is well placed.” Sound
tempted to stand up straight and hope
wears red, stands to one side, waves his
advice - but perhaps the key indicator
it gets blasted down the middle. I tried it
arms, watches your eyes and notices your
to keepers that distraction, showing off,
once when Leicester City’s Matt Elliott was
standing foot pointing in one direction then
waving your arms, knees, legs, frankly
going through a phase of just smashing
it must be impossible to score a penalty isn’t
anything you can get your hands on, will
them. When he placed it past me, I wished
it?
increase your chances of success.
I’d at least dived. That way, even if it does go
Forget the rest...and ask the best.
5
We’d all love to be able to guarantee
down the middle, it could still hit your legs.
success. There are “lies, damned lies and
“You have to face the fact that some
statistics”, but as we all know, there’s only
players are virtually impossible to save, so
one safe bet when it comes down to
All fine in practice, you may
it’s just trusting to luck. Eric Cantona was like
penalties and that’s when the Germans are
say. But these academics
that. He used to wait for you to dive before
playing: they’re 100 per cent likely to win.
would have you believe
he took it. I’ve been told he used to practise
that penalty saving is not a
it in training. He would wait until the last
One or two penalties worth another look:
second before he struck it and was so good
l http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_
complex art, merely a simple science? But a PhD can’t give you any idea of what it’s like for keepers at the highest level waiting for the ref’s whistle to blow. One man who would, however, is the Premier League’s most successful penalty
that he could change his mind at the last minute if he needed to. “You have to remember that the pressure
Gi98iEziKQ&feature=player_embedded l http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XuEGH
HoZGM&feature=related
is on the penalty taker, rather than you. You
l http://www.youtube.com/
can try and add to that pressure by delaying
watch?v=xMjBPwUzcvg
saver, Mark Crossley. Having faced 14 penalties, he saved 8; a save percentage of 57%. The average in the Premier League is 28%. “I like to know who my opponents’ penalty taker is before a match. I always look at which side he put his last one and whether he favours that side or likes to vary it, in which case it becomes a guessing game,” reveals Mark. “I don’t think there’s a system of ‘reading the eyes’ so always just concentrate on the ball on the run-up. “Always trust your instincts. If I’m facing a right-footed player I usually go to my left and the opposite if it’s a left-footer. If I get the instinct to go the other way, however, then I’ll go with it. “I know it sounds obvious, but always make sure you dive. In the past I’ve been
Darryl Flahavan AUTUMN 2011 13
COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING CORNER COACHING
Learning the trade Founded in 1999 by former Everton goalkeeper, Ray Newland, Just4keepers is now established as one of the country’s leading coaching courses for young goalkeepers. And it’s not just based in the UK: they have over fifty dedicated coaches working in seven countries.
O
ne of those coaches is Dave
have gone on to bigger and better things,
later they say if he continues the way he
Bennett who runs courses
however, just as important for me are the
has he’ll be going to Wrexham’s centre of
in the Shropshire area. “I
ones who are never going to achieve that,
excellence for trials. That gives me more
started in July 2009 with
who come every week with a smile on their
pleasure than seeing the better kids getting
the first class in Shrewsbury, now I’ve got
face because they love every minute of it.”
taken on by league clubs.”
four in Shrewsbury, one in Welshpool and
This grassroots approach of making
The coaching philosophy is central to the
one in Wrexham,” explains Dave. “The
goalkeeping as accessible as possible is
success of Just4keepers. Their view is that
courses run for an hour per week in each
obviously something Dave feels passionate
kids will only learn and improve if they are
location teaching kids between the ages
about. Ask him about his greatest
enjoying themselves and so every session
of seven and sixteen.”
with every child, whatever their age
It’s obviously a format that’s
and ability, is designed to be that
working. Since they started,
way. “Our whole ethos is based on the
Just4keepers has had over 200 young
kids having a good time but being
goalkeepers picked up by professional
disciplined when they need to be so
clubs. “If the parents and managers of
they can learn,” insists Dave. “I’ve had
the clubs are wise enough it’s an ideal
some great achievements but most
grounding,” he says. “Lack of proper
importantly the kids always say how
specific coaching from an early age is
much they enjoy it and that’s the
a common complaint from keepers -
biggest part of it. If they enjoy it they’ll
the younger the kids come to us, the
be more confident.”
better it is. Firstly they get an idea if
It’s not just about coaching
they really want to be a goalkeeper
technique and fitness - Dave also
and secondly they improve far quicker
believes it’s crucial to work on the
when they’re young.”
mental side of the game from an early
While their success rate of placing
age. “I always drum it into them, you’re
youngsters at league clubs is without
in a team but you’re on your own,” he
question, Just4keepers is more
says. “You’ve got to be strong mentally
than just a breeding ground for
and I do pride myself with working on
professionals. Dave is keen to point out that
achievement and it isn’t the latest recruit
that side of the game. I always equate it to
the courses are there to provide coaching to
to a league club. “I’ve got a lad in Wrexham
being a golfer or a tennis player. If a centre
any child, regardless of ability. “The balance
who fourteen months ago could hardly
forward loses the ball, the midfield is behind
is that we’re always going to have kids
catch a ball,” he says. “His mum came up
you, if a midfielder misses a tackle, they
coming to us that aren’t going to make it,”
to me and said she didn’t know what to do
have the defence to rely on. If a defender
Dave reveals. “Ray’s ethos from day one was
with him, they’d asked him to play in goal
makes a mistake they have the goalkeeper
if they want to come and learn, you’re there
because he’s a big lad, huge for his age. They
but if you make the mistake there’s nobody
to teach them. Yes it’s great that there’s
thought great he can go in goal but he had
behind you - you look round but there’s
the list on the website with the lads that
absolutely no ability – now fourteen months
nobody there, you’re on your own.”
14 AUTUMN 2011
NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN
News in brief
l ADO Den Haag goalkeeper Gino
Sergio Ramos’ calamitous dropping
defeat against Mexico in June. When
Coutinho faces up to a year in jail having
of the Copa del Rey from an open-
interviewed post-match, Howard
been found guilty in a Dutch court of
top bus back in April. See footage of
labelled the decision to hold the post-
owning a cannabis farm containing
Stekelenburg’s gaffe here:
match conference in Spanish “a f******
4,200 marijuana plants. Coutinho, once
www.youtube.com/
disgrace”, adding that “you can bet your
a Holland U-21 international, has also
watch?v=sqrrzWN8WKQ
a** if we were in Mexico City, it wouldn’t
been accused of forgery and money
all be in English.” Howard has since
laundering and has been sentenced to
apologised for his language, admitting
12 months behind bars.
he was “caught up in the heat of the moment.”
l Hanover 96’s second choice goalkeeper
l Tim Howard has remained the subject
Markus Miller has recently sought hospital treatment for what he
of press coverage in recent weeks with
describes as “mental exhaustion”.
the launch of Everton FC’s bizarre new
Miller, 29, plays for the same club as
2011/12 goalkeeper shirt (pictured left).
Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who
Howard’s green camouflage number has
committed suicide in November 2009
divided fans, with some labelling it the
by throwing himself in front of a train
worst kit of all time, whilst others expect
after battling depression for years. Miller
the shirt to sell well. The shirt is available
has been praised for speaking publicly
now from www.kitbag.com.
and openly about his condition, with
l Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa
club president Martin Kind praising his
has blamed a failed drugs test on
goalkeeper’s “great demonstration of
unknowingly consumed beef containing
courage”. GK1 wishes Markus Miller a
banned substance clenbuterol. Ochoa,
speedy recovery.
who was removed from his country’s
l One of the fairytale goalkeeping
CONCACAF Gold Cup squad as a result of
stories of 2010/11 took place in Brazil,
testing positive, was one of five Mexican
where São Paulo GK1 Rogério Ceni
players found guilty of taking the drug,
became the first goalkeeper ever to
which is often used to boost muscle
score 100 career goals after curling in
mass. Ochoa, who has since joined
a sublime free kick against local rivals
French side AC Ajaccio, described the
Corinthians. Ceni, a set-piece specialist,
situation as “bad luck”.
hailed his goal as “beautiful”. See the
l A top South Korean goalkeeper has
free kick any attacking player would
admitted being involved in a match-
be proud of here: www.youtube.com/
fixing scandal which has brought shame
watch?v=6OjvQWRAOkc
on the country’s K-League. Yeom Donggyun, who has played for his country’s
l One of Europe’s top goalkeepers, Ajax
No1 Maarten Stekelenburg, damaged
U-23 side and been involved with the
his growing reputation by dropping his
full national squad, has admitted fixing
club’s league title trophy out of a bus
games last season while playing for the
window last month. Stekelenburg, who
Chunnam Dragons. The story broke after
stands at 6’6” and has 40 international
l Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard
another former K-League player, who
caps, claims he dropped the trophy
was forced to apologise for using
allegedly worked as a broker, was found
when trying to avoid a tram line just
foul language following the USA’s
dead in an apparent suicide in June. The
above the bus. The incident mirrored
4-2 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
case continues.
AUTUMN 2011 15
Ruddy brilliant e v i s u l Exc w e i v r Inte with y d d u John R
When John Ruddy joined Norwich City from Everton in the summer of 2010, few would have envisaged the role he was about to play in the Canaries’ bid for promotion to the Premier League. John has emerged as one of England’s brightest goalkeeping talents, producing countless displays that have helped propel his club to English football’s Holy Grail.
N
orwich’s promotion is
hearts and minds of the Norwich City
going down bravely to 2 late goals at
all the more remarkable
faithful. John was more than happy to lift
Stamford Bridge, but John modestly
given that they began the
the lid on the team’s celebrations that day,
downplays his own recent form when
2009/10 season in League
shedding some light on the team spirit at
pressed on the Canaries’ clamour for
the club.
potential international honours: “No, I’m
One, suffering a 7-1 hammering on the season’s opening day at the hands of Colchester at Carrow Road.
“We stayed down in Portsmouth.
not thinking about that at all. My main
We were due to fly back but the Gaffer
aim is to stay as number one at Norwich
decided to stay down. We went out, had
– it’s as simple as that.” John may not be
same manager that orchestrated the 7-1
a few drinks and - as there has been all
expecting a call from Fabio Capello, but
thrashing that day – the Canaries’ rise has
season –there was a great camaraderie
with Ben Foster joining Paul Robinson in
been meteoric: they now become the
between all players and staff. It was nice
taking an indefinite England sabbatical,
first club since Manchester City in 2000
to be able to enjoy the moment, although
a first full call-up for the St Ives-born
Since Paul Lambert took the helm – the
to secure back-to-back promotions into the Premier League. After promotion was finally clinched after a 1-0 victory at Portsmouth, GK1 reader John Ruddy put the club’s achievement into perspective: “Promotion is massive. The whole city had been buzzing going into the season’s run-in and now that it’s finally happened, it’s a dream. Certainly from a player’s
I’m not thinking about an England call-up. My main aim is to stay as number one at Norwich – it’s as simple as that.
point of view it’s a dream
stopper may be around the corner. Despite producing an impressive 11 clean sheets in 2010/11, Ruddy remains determined to improve: “I want to perform better than I did last season. I said to other people recently that I didn’t feel I had a game where I played really well last year. That’s disappointing for me from a personal point of view, and yet we still got promoted so there are a
to be competing in the Premier League
for most of us it hadn’t really sunk in
lot of positives to take out of that season.
this year, and obviously the management
properly. It was quite a surreal feeling.”
I’ll take those positives into this year and
and coaching staff feel the same.” John is no stranger to the big stage having spent five years at Everton.
Norwich have made a strong start to
hopefully I’ll help us stay in the Premier
their 2011/12 campaign, drawing in their
League which is primarily the main aim.”
consecutive opening 2 games before
Norwich fans, however, have been made to endure a six-year absence from the Premier League, and John is quick to point out the importance of promotion to those related to the club off the pitch. “The fans will be delighted to have teams like Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal come to our stadium. And financially it’s massively rewarding for the club. The people in the boardroom deserve a lot of credit. They have pumped a lot of their own money into the club and are now getting reward for it. It’s brilliant for the whole area, not just the city of Norwich but the region as a whole.” Simeon Jackson’s goal at Fratton Park on May 2nd 2011 will live long in the AUTUMN 2011 17
Matt ‘Indiana’ Jones
Paradise Found
This nation’s goalkeeping balance of payments in recent years has been in severe deficit - all about imports with very few GK1 talents being exported to the continent and beyond.
O
ne keeper bucking that trend is Matt Jones - a
based player to succeed over here.” Matt believes English players are yet
talented gloveman who
to be forgiven since the days of Graeme
swapped his native
Souness at Benfica. Similar spells in Portugal
Potteries for a spell in New York before
did not work out so well for players such
landing at the Portuguese First Division
as Michael Thomas, Scott Minto and Brian
club CD Santa Clara.
Deane.
“Portugal is one of the great footballing
“As nice as it would be to have some
nations, so for me to begin my professional
English company over here, on the flip side
career here is a great platform to begin
it is a great way for me to get noticed.
from. The standards are very high,” says the trail-blazing 24-year-old. Surprisingly, Matt has not been plying his
“I’ve worked hard and played pretty well most of the time, so it’s been very easy for me to get noticed, which can only be good
trade in the footballing hotbeds of Lisbon
for my career,” says Matt, whose two-year
or Porto... but on the stunningly beautiful
contract at Santa Clara ended in May.
islands of the Azores, 930 miles west of Lisbon, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!
So how do the locals refer to our Englishman abroad? “On the day I signed, we did the customary photo shoot and my
League Of His Own
shirt had ‘Matt Jones’ on the back rather
“As far as I know, I am the only English
than ‘Jones’! And no matter how hard I try to
player in the whole of Portugal, which was
explain, everyone, the players, the fans and
shocking to me at first. Having said that,
the manager all call me Matt Jones!”
there is such a dramatic difference in both
18 AUTUMN 2011
“I’ve been out here for over 2 years now.
the culture, language and playing styles.
It took me quite a long time to pick up the
I can see why it is difficult for an English-
Portuguese language. Culture-wise it’s
obviously so much more chilled here than
at home. Why not try your luck here? You
Bound for America
my time over in the States. It’s very relaxed
can come over here and get another chance
At 14, Matt left his boyhood heroes at Port
and calm but the language was what I had
to play.”
Vale and headed for four years at Premier
to work on.”
Have It!
So what about the lifestyle in this
League West Bromwich Albion. “That was
tranquil paradise? Presumably different to
great experience for me. Sadly, they said
the hustle-and-bustle of NYC?
they didn’t think I was going to be good
“It’s couldn’t be more different! The diet is
So what does a goalkeeper, who’s keen to communicate with his defence, learn to
very healthy: lots of fish and rice. Everything
shout first? Perhaps “Keepers!” or maybe
is very fresh - no hot dogs, no fries and the
“Get out!” ?
portions are a lot smaller!
“Tira” which roughly translated
enough to play in the Premier League so they let me go.” Like so many youngsters released by a club, his future as a professional hung in the balance.
means “Clear it..Get Rid..Have it!”
However this dark cloud was to come
Thankfully, after over 2 years here, I can
with a silver lining.
pretty much say what I want to on and
“I had a couple of trials at other clubs
off the field.”
but nothing really came of it. I was just
Sadly CD Santa Clara’s progress
starting to think about playing semi-
has been less successful. Always the
pro and maybe going to university in
nearly-men, the proud club has made
England.
an annual habit of missing out on
“Then, out of the blue I got a call
promotion to the Primeira Liga...much
from Sacred Heart University which is in
to the amusement of their closest
Connecticut. They told me they could
rivals Maritimo, based on the island of
offer me a four-year scholarship. I’d get my
Madeira.
education at an American university and
“We missed out on promotion two
get to play. It couldn’t have been better. I
years running and finished 2010/11 in
had nothing else on offer so I just went.
mid-table,” reflects Matt.
“I got bigger and physically stronger
“A new coach came in and he
and that really helped. But it was really
brought in 18 new players, chopped and
my confidence that improved so much.
changed the team, and I found myself
I picked up a lot of awards and it made
on the bench for a spell which was
me fall back in love with football again,”
obviously frustrating. As a goalkeeper
said Matt who graduated with a first-class
you’re pretty much never going to
degree in business management, before
have the chance to come on for 10
embarking on his travels to the Azores.
minutes and impress. You know, like any professional, all I’ve ever wanted to always
Punched Out
Future’s Bright
do is play.”
“The football is pretty different too. It’s very
Those entrepreneurial skills have been
technical. You’ve got to be an athlete as
put on hold for the time being whilst he
Je Ne Regret Rien?
much as a player. It’s tactical. Here they let
concentrates on doing his best in Portugal.
So does he regret embarking on these
the ball do the work.” But tactics for a keeper are surely similar
travels - and would he recommend others to try their hand abroad? “I wouldn’t have changed a thing to be
“Every kid out there, including me, dreams of playing football for a living and
the world over? Isn’t it just about stopping
for me to be given a chance to do this is
goals?
a great honour. And if you can’t get lucky
honest. It’s been a good place for me to
“Ultimately yes, but their style of keeping
come and play football. I’ve made some
is very different. When I first arrived they had
great friends; we have one or two nights out
no idea what I was doing. When I was a kid I
or maybe head for the beach, but the pace
was taught by Frank Barber, the goalkeeper
down interest from clubs in the UK to
of life here means it’s really easy just to focus
coach at Wigan, and he had a unique way
prolong his career in the Portuguese
on the football.
of teaching. They punch it a lot more here. I
League, signing for União da Madeira.
was always taught - if you can catch it, catch
From one sun-swept Portuguese island to
English players over here. You get a lot of
it. Over here they punch it to just get rid of
another, Matt’s adventure overseas looks set
good players that just drop out of the game
it.”
to continue.
“I’m surprised there aren’t any other
breaks at home, then be brave enough to look further a field.” Since our interview, Matt has turned
AUTUMN 2011 19
Well done Bob I n our last issue of GK1, Bob Wilson talked to us about The Willow
Foundation and his plans to raise money for the charity by paying
all 20 Premier League clubs a visit on
a marathon bike ride. GK1 is delighted to report that Arsenal legend Bob completed the 500 mile, 11 day cycle, raising more than £300,000 for The Willow Foundation along the way. Bob, who incredibly turns 70 this year, hopes his cycle experience will inspire others to get involved. His personal diary and photo diary of the 11 day cycle challenge, which set off from Fulham’s Craven Cottage, visited all London clubs on day one, before
Above: Arriving at St James’ Park, Newcastle Below: Leaving Craven Cottage, Fulham
heading north and finishing at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, plus an extra visit to Scotland’s Hampden Park, can also be viewed on the website listed below. His challenge was both empowering and rewarding and Bob hopes it will act as a catalyst for further cycle challenges up and down the country. “Every pound raised for Willow is making a positive difference to the lives of young people living with life threatening conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and organ Above: Arriving at Hampden Park, Glasgow Below: At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea
failure. Willow’s special days help them and their families rebuild lost confidence and restore some normality to their lives away from the pressures of hospital visits and treatment. With your support we can help create many more precious, positive memories of family life even in the most difficult of circumstances“. Bob Wilson OBE, Life President, Willow Foundation. Congratulations, Bob, on your fantastic achievement from everyone at GK1! For details on the Charity Cycle Challenge visit www.bobwilsonsoccercycle.com or for more information about the Willow Foundation visit www.willowfoundation. org.uk or telephone 01707 259777.
All photos by Tom Bunning AUTUMN 2011 21
On the
move
Summer 2011. Would this transfer window finally deliver the much anticipated flurry of goalkeeper transfer activity that had been so missing in the previous 3 windows?
W
ith Manchester
Trafford club have been impressed with
United, City,
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard
Liverpool and
who signed from Aalesund in January.
Spurs definitely in
Whilst publicly Arsene Wenger continues
the hunt for either a number 1 or 2
to deny any intent to recruit a goalkeeper
goalkeeper, and with well-documented
in this window, his young keepers remain in
uncertainties at The Emirates, an
demand. Hull City failed in their pursuit of
astonishing 46 goalkeepers available as
a permanent move for Vito Mannone, who
free transfers on the ‘PFA List’, plus the
had joined the Tigers in January on loan,
activity surrounding all of the midlands
whilst James Shea returned to The Emirates
Premier League clubs, it seemed that
following a loan spell at Southampton.
Summer 2011 would have many of the
Blackburn Rovers have released Welsh
country’s goalkeepers packing their
international Jason Brown (pictured),
glove bags and heading for pastures
who spent time on loan at Leyton Orient
new..
and Cardiff City last season, and have allowed Frank Fielding to turn his loan
Tottenham were first to officially pounce, ending the speculation over the future of
move to Derby County into a permanent
Brad Friedel by snapping up the 40-year-
one. Despite being courted by Rovers
old American on a free transfer ahead of rivals Liverpool. Friedel signed a 2-year
Jason Brown
throughout the summer, former Liverpool and Fulham ‘keeper Tony Warner packed
contract and is expected to compete with
Under 17 keeper Daniel Bachmann from
his bags and set out for a new challenge
Heurelho Gomes for the number 1 shirt
Austria Vienna.
‘Down Under’, joining New Zealand side
as Stipe Pletikosa returned to Spartak
After months of speculation and
Wellington Phoenix.
Moscow following his unsuccessful loan.
following the retirement of veteran stopper
Pletikosa also spent an unsuccessful
Edwin van der Sar, Manchester United
captured Ali Al-Habsi from neighbours
fortnight on trial at Celtic. Carlo Cudicini,
announced the signing of David De Gea
Bolton Wanderers for a fee in the region
meanwhile, signed a one-year extension to
from Atlético Madrid for a reported fee of
of £4million, and have also handed a new
his contract at White Hart Lane. Liverpool
€21million. The 20-year-old arrives at Old
contract to veteran Mike Pollitt. Bolton
are closely monitoring the situation at
Trafford with a big reputation from his first
Wanderers, on the other hand, have tied
Stoke City, where Dane Tomas Sørensen is
full season, having helped Spain Under 21s
Hungarian keeper Adam Bogdan (pictured)
unhappy at the option year that the Potters
win the European Championships in June.
to a new two-year contract to compete with
have taken tying him to the club for a
United’s Tomasz Kuszczak was expected
Jussi Jaaskelainen for the number 1 shirt.
further season. The Potters also planned for
to leave Old Trafford in search of regular
the future by recruiting 16-year-old Austria
first team football, in particular as the Old
22 AUTUMN 2011
Fellow Lancastrians Wigan Athletic
Irishman Trevor Carson, who spent the final months of the season at Brentford,
has returned to the Stadium of Light to be
released Adriano Basso, who had joined
joined by compatriot Keiren Westwood,
the club in January on a short term deal.
who has joined Sunderland as a free agent
The loss of De Vries left Swans manager
from Coventry City. Manager Steve Bruce
Brendan Rodgers on the lookout for 3
has cited first choice Craig Gordon’s injury
experienced keepers to help with their
at the back end of last season as the reason
first season in the Premier League. First to
behind the move for cover, with Gordon
arrive was legendary Benfica keeper, José
not expected to be back playing until
Moreira (pictured), who joined the Swans
September.
for an undisclosed fee after ten years with
Staying in the North East, Charlton
the Portuguese club. He was followed
Athletic stopper Rob Elliott eventually
by the £1.4 million purchase of Dutch
joined Newcastle United on deadline day
International Michel Worm, and of German
for an undisclosed fee, and will be vying for
keeper Gerhard Tremmel, who was a free
the first team spot with Steve Harper and
agent having left Red Bull Salzburg. Of the 2
Dutchman Tim Krul.
other newly promoted sides, QPR rewarded
Another Dutchman will feature among
Paddy Kenny and Radek Cerny with new
the ranks of Premier League stoppers next
contacts and snapped up Brian Murphy
season, as Dorus De Vries has opted to
following his departure from Ipswich.
join Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free
Norwich City offered a new contract to John
transfer rather than remain with newly
Ruddy, with Declan Rudd providing back-
promoted Swansea City. Wolves have
up and Jed Steer allowed to join Yeovil
finally agreed a new contract with the club
Town on loan.
after protracted negotiations.
Wolves’ Black country rivals West Brom
José Moreira (courtesy of Swansea City FC)
Having signed Frank Fielding and Adam
were firmly entrenched in the ‘keeper
Legzdins from Burton Albion, Derby County
merry-go-round, as Scott Carson has
look set to offload former ‘Hammer, Steven
been allowed to leave for
Bywater, who had ended the season on loan
Bursaspor, after fellow England
at Cardiff City. Derby’s twenty-one-year-old
international Robert Green
Ross Atkins (pictured) has linked up with
turned down the move to last season’s Champions League club. Carson’s departure reinforced the Baggies need for a first choice goalkeeper, and having also failed with a bid for Robert Green, they finally secured Ben Foster on a season’s loan from relegated Birmingham City, with former Hull City stopper Boaz Myhill heading in the opposite direction. In addition, Marton Fulop was signed from Ipswich to provide experienced cover for Foster.
The Championship Of the teams dropping out of the Premier League, Blackpool allowed Paul Rachubka to join Leeds United on a two-year deal, where he has been reunited with former manager Simon Grayson, whilst Matt Gilks Adam Bogdan (courtesy of Bolton Wanderers FC)
Ross Atkins (courtesy of Burton Albion FC) AUTUMN 2011 23
On the move keeper Jon Stewart was reunited with
Across the city, Nicky Weaver was rewarded
former boss Eddie Howe at Burnley, signing a
with a new two-year deal at Wednesday.
one-year contract after a trial period. Another
Chesterfield signed goalkeeper Greg
South Coast ‘Old Boy, Paul Smith, previously
Fleming on a 12-month deal after he was
with newly promoted Southampton, was
released by Oldham in January, paving the
allowed to join Middlesbrough on loan from
way for Mansfield Town to swoop for Shane
Nottingham Forest in mid-season, and has
Redmond after his release from the Spirites.
subsequently made the move permanent. The Teesiders also offered a two-and-a-half-
goalkeeper David Grof on a one-year
year contract to 18-year-old Connor Ripley
contract after the Hungarian impressed
in January, who joined the club following his
during a trial spell, and also handed veteran
release from Blackburn Rovers.
goalkeeper and club stalwart Jimmy Walker
Of the other Championship newcomers,
Arran Lee-Barrett (courtesy of Action Images)
Walsall have signed Notts County
a new one-year deal. The 37-year-old
Peterborough United have made Paul
returned to the League One club in October,
Jones’ loan move from Exeter City
having spent 11 years with them earlier in
permanent.
his career.
League 1
signing of goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams
Amongst League 1 clubs, Charlton
on a two-year contract to replace Kiwi-
Athletic were particularly active in the
bound Tony Warner; whilst across Lancashire
goalkeeping department. In preparation
Oldham Athletic have signed former
for the departure of Rob Elliott, the Addicks
Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Alex Cisak
signed Ben Hamer from Reading and
on a two-year contract. Despite being out
Tranmere Rovers have completed the
goalkeeper John Sullivan on a free transfer
of contract the Latics have paid Stanley a
former Ram Paul Peschisolido, joining Burton
from Millwall. The latter has signed a two-
compensation fee for the 22-year-old as he
Albion on loan.
year deal at the Valley, having enjoyed a
is under 24 years of age.
Coventry City turned to Northampton Town’s Chris Dunn and Scunthorpe United’s
successful loan spell at the club last season.
Elsewhere, Hartlepool United’s Scott
Relegated Preston North End were
Flinders has signed a one-year extension to
Joe Murphy to fill the void left by Keiren
forced into the transfer market following
his current contract, despite serious interest
Westwood’s defection to Sunderland,
the departure of Andy
whilst elsewhere in the Midlands Sven
Lonergan, and opted to
Goran Eriksson was reunited with Kasper
sign former loanee Iain
Schmeichel in a £1.25 million swoop from
Turner on a one-year
Leeds United. Leeds fought off competition
contract after he rejected
from Everton to sign Preston keeper Andy
the offer of a new deal at
Lonergan, whilst across Yorkshire, Hull City
Everton.
released Matt Duke and signed Hungarian Peter Gulacsi on loan from Liverpool. Coventry old boy Arran Lee-Barrett
In the Steel City, Sheffield United’s highly rated England Under 18
(pictured) was rewarded for his fine form at
‘keeper George Long was
the end of the season for Ipswich, by signing
rewarded with his first
an improved two-year contract extension at
professional contract and
Portman Road, whist the Tractor Boys lost
made his debut for the
Irishman Brian Murphy, who opted to leave
Blades on the last day of
the club despite the offer of a new contract.
the season against to-be
Portsmouth failed to offer new terms to
promoted Swansea City.
Darryl Flahavan (pictured) who made the
Long has since established
short hop down the south coast to join AFC
himself as 2nd choice
Bournemouth, whilst former Bournemouth
for the Blades this term.
24 AUTUMN 2011
Darryl Flahavan (courtesy of AFC Bournemouth)
from other clubs; Exeter signed goalkeeper
two-year deal, and also brought in Liverpool
Lenny Pidgeley following his departure
reserve keeper Martin Hansen on a one-
from Bradford City and promoted Stevenage
month loan. Rotherham United have also
signed Gillingham keeper Alan Julian on a
used the loan system, signing goalkeeper
free transfer.
Conrad Logan (pictured) on a six-month deal from Leicester City. Aldershot Town
League 2
have bagged goalkeeper Ross Worner
Following the disappointment of their
on a free transfer. Worner, 21, made 11
relegation, Bristol Rovers have signed
appearances for Charlton Athletic last
goalkeepers Scott Bevan and Lance
season and has agreed a two-year deal.
Cronin. Bevan, 31, has signed a two-year
Barnet offered terms to former Portsmouth
deal at the Memorial Stadium following his
goal keeper Liam O’Brien, whilst Rushden
departure from Torquay, whilst the Pirates
& Diamonds have signed goalkeeper Simon
snapped up Gillingham goalkeeper Lance
Evans on non-contract terms.
Cronin. Cronin, 25, was allowed to leave the Gills after making just seven appearances in his only season at Priestfield. Gillingham in turn have made a double swoop, signing former Dover goalkeeper Ross Flitney, 27, who is reunited with
Conrad Logan
SPL In Scotland, St. Mirren moved to recruit
34-year-old spent last season with South
Graeme Smith on a free transfer from St.
African side SuperSport United.
Johnstone, where he will compete with
Plymouth Argyle have signed goalkeeper
former Shamrock Rovers stopper Alan
boss Andy Hessenthaler, and Argentine
Jake Cole after a successful trial at Home
Mannus for a first team spot. St Mirren were
goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga on a two-year
Park. Cole was released by Barnet boss
forced into the market in order to replace
deal. Gazzaniga, 19, was released by Spanish
Lawrie Sanchez in May after making 97
Paul Gallacher, who returned to former
La Liga outfit Valencia at the start of the
starts for the club since initially joining on
club Dunfermline. Aberdeen, who lost
summer having passed through their youth
loan in March 2009.
Stuart Nelson to Notts County and Jamie
system.
Crewe Alexandra have completed a
Langfield to a serious illness, drafted in
deal to bring former Leeds United keeper
David Gonzalez on loan from Manchester
signed Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik
goalkeeper Alan Martin to Gresty Road on
City with Jason Brown as cover. Celtic have
to replace Scott Bevan, and have moved to
a one-year deal, after a successful season
brought Newcastle United goalkeeper
re-sign their former goalkeeper Martin Rice
north of the Border at Ayr United.
Fraser Forster back to the club on a
Torquay United boss Martin Ling has
from Truro City. Former Austrian Under-21
Summarising the rest of the moves:
season’s loan, whilst Old Firm rivals Rangers
international Olejnik, 24, spent four years
Accrington signed former Hamilton
tied Allan McGregor down to a new six-
at Falkirk. Swindon Town also dealt in the
goalkeeper Sean Murdoch on a one-
year deal. Allan will do battle for the number
foreign market, completing the signing
year contract; Bradford City have signed
one jersey with Neil Alexander (pictured),
of Italian goalkeeper Mattia Lanzano.
unattached goalkeeper Matt Duke on a
who also signed a new contract last winter.
The 20-year-old, who was with Italian side US Gavorrana 1930 last season, joins the Robins on a two-year deal. Northampton have completed the signing of goalkeeper Freddy Hall on a one-year contract. Former Bermuda international Hall was most recently with United States minor league side Bermuda Hogges. Additionally, the Cobblers brought in Chelsea goalkeeper Sam Walker in a season-long loan deal. Oxford United have signed former Chester, Hereford and Bury goalkeeper Wayne Brown on a one-year deal. The
Neil Alexander saving a Frank Lampard penalty AUTUMN 2011 25
takes a look at the stars of the future George Long
first team – including a memorable debut
likes of Aston Villa on the way to the final
in May 2011 in the Blades’ Championship
against Man United so it was a great time to
There’s a long way to go to match the
defeat at promoted Swansea – and received
put in a Man of the Match performance.
talent factories at Manchester United
international recognition last April, playing
and Liverpool but Sheffield United’s
in England U18s 1-1 draw away to Italy.
impressive Academy system has fostered
More recently, the 6’ 4” stopper received
To be honest, it’s a night I’ll never forget. Having been a kid watching in the stands, to be out there in front of 30,000 Blades will be
a burgeoning reputation to be reckoned
rave reviews as the Blades squeezed past
a memory I’ll cherish. And a full house at an
with…and another name to look out for.
a battling Burton Albion side, 2-1 in the
Under 18s game – you don’t get that too often.
The latest success
Johnstone’s Paint
story to follow in the footsteps
GEORGE LONG
An amazing twelve Courtesy of Sheffield Uni
of England’s Kyle
Trophy.
Walker and Phil Jagielka is 17-yearold ‘keeper George Long. The lifelong
ted FC
Blade has attracted the attentions of numerous Premier League clubs and now enjoys the title of the club’s youngest ever 1st team custodian! It’s been ‘Roy of The Rovers’ stuff for the Sheffield-born
AGE: 17 HEIGHT: 193cm WEIGHT: 79kg e GLOVES: Sells Wrap Elit ends Leg o mp Tie e Nik S: BOOT : Joe Hart YER PLA AL ON INSPIRATI ld United ffie She : TED CLUB SUPPOR ents BIGGEST INFLUENCE: Par T: Chase & FAVOURITE BAND/ARTIS Status
I have always supported United so it’s great to finally get to play for them. Our family are Blades through and through.”
months was capped
GK1: When was it you realized you were a
with an appearance in
goalkeeper in the making?
the FA Youth Cup Final
GL: “To be honest, I didn’t start in net. I was
against Manchester
playing for a Sunday League team and at
United. A Man-of-the-
school and I was a centre-forward. I was
Match appearance
top scorer for a few years and I wasn’t bad.
in the first leg at
But one week, the Sunday team needed a
Bramall Lane kept
‘keeper. (GK1: Where have we heard this
the tie deadlocked at
before?!) Someone threw me the gloves and
2-2 before their cup
I played okay and that was that. I’ve been
run came to an end
there ever since! I was always a big lad and
with a 4-2 defeat at
my mum and dad encouraged me to stay in
Old Trafford.
net so that was it really. I never came out.”
This month, GK1
“Once I’d played in net for the academy,
goes One-on-One
then that’s when it starts getting serious.
youngster who started
with George Long.
It was nice having a bit of a breather and
going to watch his red
GK1: You were born on Bonfire Night so
playing out of net for my school. But I was
and white heroes with his uncle as a star-
you’ll be used to shocks and surprises!
training three times a week and a game on
struck 10-year-old. A few short years on and
Over the past 12 months, which one was
the Saturday so playing up front soon got
it’s George Long who is starting to forge the
your favourite?
knocked on the head! My mum and dad, in
headlines in the steel city.
GL: “The real highlight for me was the first
particular my dad, just encouraged me to
leg of the Youth Cup final. We’d beaten the
train as much as I could.
So far he’s played twice for United’s 26 AUTUMN 2011
GK1: When did you realize you may make
coming through. Harry McGuire and Jordan
GK1: Who have been the biggest
it as a professional player?
Slew have been regulars this season,
influences on your career at Bramall
GL: “During my under 15 season we had
although Jordan’s just gone to Blackburn
Lane?
one game against Nottingham Forest and
(for a reported £1m) so it’s a great incentive
GL:“I’ve had two goalkeeper coaches who
I remember doing really well in that and
for all of us to work hard.”
have really helped me. Lee Kendall was
thinking – ‘right, let’s kick on from here’.
GK1: Has there been any interest in you
a big part in my development and now
Then I had a really good season with the
from other clubs since the Youth Cup run?
Paul Crichton is our ‘keeper coach - both
Under 16s and it went from strength to
GL: “I’m told Fulham put a bid in for me,
of them have been really instrumental in
strength really. “
Harry and Jordan. But I think I may get more
helping me become a better keeper. I’m
GK1: Last season you made it to the
first team opportunities here at the Lane. If
now mentally fitter and stronger than I was.
bench on numerous occasions, then came
you move to a bigger club you just are way
Stepping up to the first team you’ve got to
the debut at Swansea.
down the pecking order and probably get
make a lot of mental improvements. I am
GL: “Yeah, 13 times on the bench in total
forgotten about. I definitely see my future
sharper.”
then I got my start at Swansea. I was kept
here. In the next few seasons my main aim
GK1: Do you have a favourite goalkeeper?
pretty busy and early on things went well.
is getting in our first team and staying there
GL: “I’ve always watched Paddy Kenny and
To be honest Swansea were in great form by
hopefully. As long as I keep training hard
he was great at Sheffield United. I always
then and we had quite a young side out so it
and impressing the gaffer there are going to
wanted to be like him. I still think he’s very
was hard. But I really enjoyed it and it was a
be opportunities. You know if Simmo (Steve
underrated. And of course, it’s difficult to
great time to make my debut.”
Simonsen) gets injured then the gaffer knows
look beyond Joe Hart. He’s at the top of his
GK1: Were you nervous at all?
I am in a position to jump straight in. “
game and a ‘keeper you’d want to be like.”
GL: “I wasn’t bad. It’s just another game and
GK1: The Blades are riding high in League
GK1: Will you stay with United long term?
you can’t allow yourself to get too intimidated.
One. Very different to the frustrations of
GL: “I just want to play at the highest level I
You’ve just got to concentrate and get your
last year and relegation?
can and I’d love that to be with United.”
mind on the game. And once you’ve made
GL: “The mood is so much more upbeat
GK1: As well as The Blades, you’ve worn
your first save you’re into it and that’s it.”
this year in the changing room and at
Three Lions on your shirt!
GK1: What do you consider to be your
training. Everyone is raring to go and get
GL: “Yes. I made my Under 18 debut against
strengths?
out there on a Saturday and play. Last year
Italy towards the end of last season and I
GL: “I’d say shot stopping and one-on-one
we had quite a lot of loan players, which
really enjoyed that. It was a great experience
situations. I quite enjoy them, coming out
didn’t help our cause too much. This season
traveling abroad to play for your country.
and making blocks. “
Danny Wilson has come in and made a big
I’ve been put on stand by for an Under 19’s
GK1: So United have produced some
difference. He’s a top manager. You can see
game against Holland so hopefully there
talented young players of late. But did
that in training and the practice games. He
are plenty more of those to come if I keep
you expect to do well in the youth Cup?
knows his stuff. He’s a breath of fresh air. He’s
playing well. It was really good playing
GL: “Not that well! We just played it game
motivated the players really well.”
under Noel Blake.”
by game starting at Cheltenham. Then once we had beaten Leicester I thought we could go on and really do something. In the final I think we all believed we could win it. After getting a two-all draw at home we thought we were in with a chance. But they were just too strong for us at Old Trafford.” GK1: The Blades Academy has brought through some fine players of late. Is there another batch coming through which people should look out for? GL: “Yes we’ve had the likes of Jagielka, Walker, Naughton and Quinny (Stephen Quinn) in recent years. The great thing is the club are willing to give you a chance in the first team. “Now we’ve got some terrific players
Long saving from Manchester United’s Ravel Morrison in 2011 FA Youth Cup Final - Getty Images AUTUMN 2011 27
Alex McCarthy
good run in the cup and the way we played
with a knee injury. During that time they
gave everyone a boost – after that game we
brought in a goalkeeper from Arsenal that
2011 will be a year to remember for
went on to win our next six league games.”
was huge at the time and towered over me.
Reading’s Alex McCarthy. Having played
That run put Reading firmly in the play-
a significant part in the Royals’ push for
off picture but unfortunately for McCarthy it
He’s still the same size now and I’ve been lucky to grow a lot since.”
promotion, he has also found himself
also signalled the end
involved in the
of his run in the first
14 are forced to accept that a career in the
team. “I had always
professional game may not be for them,
had it in my mind
but despite being without a club for over a
a massive year
that as soon as Adam
year, Jordan was fortunate enough to earn
for me, I couldn’t
returned that he’d go
himself a trial at his local club: Tottenham.
have planned it
straight back into the
any better,” says
first team because
rejoined a local Sunday League side I’d been
McCarthy. “I went
he had done so well
at before Charlton, and ended up spending
out on loan last
before the injury,”
18 months there. Halfway through the U16s
season and played
admits McCarthy.
season he took me on trial at Spurs, and
45 games for Yeovil.
“But there was also
they signed me on a scholarship. It was a six-
part of me that
week trial, quite thorough. I was delighted
was disappointed
to be taken on.”
England U-21 set-up. “It’s been
This season just gone I’d spent a lot of time sitting on the bench but then an injury to Adam Federici gave
ALEX McCARTHY
AGE: 21 HEIGHT: 193cm WEIGHT: 80kg GLOVES: Puma BOOTS: Puma King : Petr Cech INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER ea els CLUB SUPPORTED: Ch m and Dad BIGGEST INFLUENCE: MuT: Nicki Minaj FAVOURITE BAND/ARTIS
playing for the first team we had lost just one league
run in the first team.’
game and we were
of February not only gave McCarthy his
“I linked up with my old coach and
because while I was
me a chance to have a The injury to Federici in the middle
Most young players let go by clubs at
JORDAN ARCHER
on a really good run.” So far so good for McCarthy, whose
chance of regular first team football but also
season culminated with his inclusion
a chance to test himself against Premier
in the England Under-21 squad for the
League opposition. In the fifth round of
European Championships in Denmark. It
the FA Cup Reading were drawn away at
was a disappointing display from England,
Everton, a game they went on to win 1-0
who bowed out in the competition’s group
- thanks in no small part to an excellent
stages as McCarthy watched on from the
display from the 21-year-old. “It was
substitute’s bench. With Reading having
unbelievable, I’d never been to Goodison
narrowly missed out on promotion, 2011/12
Park before,” reveals McCarthy. “Playing
looks set to be a crunch year for McCarthy,
there in a full stadium was incredible, and
for both club and country.
to knock them out and go through was
AGE: 18 HEIGHT: 191cm WEIGHT: N/A GLOVES: Sells Wrap Elit e BOOTS: Adidas Predators INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER : CLUB SUPPORTED: Ars Joe Hart ena BIGGEST INFLUENCE: Aca l coach Perry Slater and my demy GK FAVOURITE ARTIST: Dra mother ke & Lil Wayne
more importantly, it proved that we could
Jordan Archer
compete with Premier League teams.”
Tottenham Under-18s goalkeeper Jordan
area, as a youngster Jordan took a liking to
Archer has had good time of it of late.
the Lily Whites’ North London arch rivals.
themselves again against Premier League
Facing the prospect of a career as a semi-
“I grew up as an Arsenal fan, but went to
opposition in the quarter-final. This time it
pro at 16, Jordan has since been taken
school in the Tottenham area.” He is now
was away at Manchester City and despite
on by Tottenham, where he’s established
very much a Tottenham man, emerging as a
losing 1-0, it was again another impressive
himself as the Academy side’s GK1.
key figure in the U18s set up.
even better. It was a great experience but
And they were given the chance to prove
performance from Reading and McCarthy.
“I started out at Charlton as a 10-year-
Despite growing up in the Walthamstow
“In my 1st season initially I was just
“I thought we played really well,” says
old, but got released at 14 for being too
training and not involved with the youth
McCarthy. “Man City had all their top players
small,” says Jordan, something that is hard
team, but in the second half of my first
playing so to do well and only lose 1-0 was
to imagine looking at him now. “I had a late
season I managed to establish myself as
a great achievement. We were obviously
growth spurt, and now I’m 6’3”. They let a
number one and make the GK1 jersey
disappointed to go out but we had had a
couple of us go. I had been out for a year
my own. I think I went onto play 9 league
28 AUTUMN 2011
games that season.”
was disappointing to go out so early. We had
having niggle after niggle, and I just found
Jordan’s continued good form was
a squad that could have gone far. But we’d lost
it hard to stay fit. A lot of players go through
rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland
a few of the second years to the development
this and it’s just one of those things, it’s
U19 side, despite being born and bred in
squad and I’m not sure the younger lads had
good to learn to deal with it, it’s good to
Walthamstow.
enough time to gel before we got underway.
learn how to be out of the team.”
“My grandparents are Scottish on my mum’s side. My goalkeeper coach asked
We didn’t really look like a team.” Now fit and raring to go for the
A torn cartilage meant Smithies was going to understand all about sitting on
me what I thought about it and I felt it’d
2011/12 season, things looks rosy for the
the sidelines. The 21-year-old picked up
be good experience. I’ve played Scotland
Tottenham stopper, who cannot help but
the injury at the beginning of January and
U19. There was a friendly at the start of last
set himself goals and outline ambitions
following surgery missed two months of
season against Malta and we just recently
when pressed on his hopes for the future:
the season. “After a couple of days I just
played two games in Denmark at the end
“I want to continue to be involved with the
thought: get your head round it and work
of the 2010/11 season. It’s been great to get
international set-up, get as many games
hard,” reveals Smithies. “Obviously the
international experience.”
under my belt as possible, and possibly go
harder I worked in the rehab the quicker I
Jordan doesn’t rule out the prospect of
out on loan. Training with the first team and
was going to be back, it was up to me to get
representing England at some stage in his
getting regular football at a League 2 or
fit and up to me not to worry about the fact
career too, with both his English and Scottish
League 1 club would be ideal for me.”
that I was injured. No player goes through
heritage of importance to him. He counts England’s current GK1, Joe Hart, as one of the goalkeepers in the game he looks up to. “I’m a big fan of Joe Hart, not just as a
their career without having an injury and I’m
Alex Smithies Unlike many young goalkeepers,
going to be no different so it was good for me to learn to deal with it.” Huddersfield have endured back-to-back
goalkeeper but the way he carries himself.
Huddersfield’s Alex Smithies didn’t have
promotion heartbreak, falling at the Play-Off
He plays with a smile on his face, and that’s
to wait too long for his first-team chance.
semi-final stage against Millwall in 2010
the way I prefer to be. Some of the keepers
At just seventeen, due to injuries and a
and missing out in the final itself against
I’ve worked with are so tense and uptight
sending off, he found himself thrown in
Peterborough in 2011. Smithies, however,
before a game, and I can’t understand it. I
at the deep end. That
is convinced that Huddersfield have what it
prefer to be relaxed, have a few jokes with
was back in 2007 and
the goalkeeper coach and other keepers. As
since then he’s played
soon as the whistle goes, you’re focussed,
over 100 games for
season: “We will be
but before I prefer to unwind and loosen up.
his hometown club.
in the mix. We’ve
I don’t get nervous.”
“I’m fortunate that I
definitely got the
Jordan exudes confidence, but retains an
ALEX SMITHIES
takes to go all the way in the coming
was given the chance
players capable of
element of humility when asked to list his
so soon,” admits
getting out of this
strengths and weaknesses as a keeper, often
Smithies. “It’s not
league and we feel
keen to underline his need for more match
very often that
we can win it if we
practice. “My main strength, according to
goalkeepers get such
my coaches, is my ability to come and take
a chance so early in
crosses. But I do need more experience, I
their career because
suppose that is a weakness. I’ve trained with
it’s unlikely that a
the first team keepers five or six times, but
manager is going to
last season there were quite a few keepers
trust an unproven
on the books so my opportunities were
keeper. I’d barely
limited. Hopefully next season it will be a
played any youth
more regular occurrence.”
team games and
Jordan was a regular for the Tottenham U18s last season, but Spurs fell at the first
get a run together.” AGE: 21 HEIGHT: 191cm WEIGHT: 84kg GLOVES: Nike BOOTS: Nike CTR360 Ma INSPIRATIONAL PLAYERestri : Peter Schmeichel/Joe Hart CLUB SUPPORTED: Hu ddersfield Town BIGGEST INFLUENCE: GK Huddersfield Town, Joh Coach at n Vaughan FAVOURITE BAND/ARTIS T: Jay-Z
And if they do manage to get promoted the success will be all the sweeter for Smithies. He’s a local lad and has only ever wanted to play for one club. “I live ten minutes
wasn’t ready for it but gave it my best.”
from the ground,” says Smithies. “I played for
Smithies is now firmly established as
the schoolboy team from eight and used to
hurdle of the youth game’s most prestigious
the regular first choice for Huddersfield
go to all the games. All I wanted to do as a kid
tournament, the FA Youth Cup. “We went out
but unfortunately his 2010/11 season was
was play for Huddersfield because it was the
in the 3rd Round to Barnsley, we lost 3-1. We
disrupted by injury. “The previous season I
team I was going to watch every week. I knew
went 1 down early on, they sat back and we
played every minute of every game, I played
all my friends and family loved the club - my
ended up conceding two from set-pieces. It
55 games,” he says. “Last year it felt like I was
first goal was to play for Huddersfield.” AUTUMN 2011 29
Where are they now?
Ian Feuer
Ian Feuer’s football story reads something like a Hollywood film. Here’s the pitch. In the late 1980s, Las Vegas-born Feuer travels alone to Alabama aged just 16 for a Harald Schumacher soccer school. There, the German great advises the impressive keeper, already well on the way to his full 6’7 height, to head across the pond.
F
euer leaves his family behind
my main target. And I would have played
work as hard as he does at his age is great.”
to follow his dream, playing a
anywhere but to play for a team like West
He still keeps tabs on England, even if
brand of ‘football’ alien to most
Ham was special.
of his peers. He goes on to beat
“I remember my debut against Derby.
the father-of-three’s commitment to his own Premier Goalkeeping Academy takes
the odds, and European scepticism, to
We won 2-1 and I had a decent game. It was
much of his time. He is a huge fan of Robert
be a pioneer for American soccer heroes,
special to play with guys like Rio Ferdinand,
Green, a keeper he knows personally and
meeting his future wife in Belgium and
Paolo Di Canio and Joe Cole. That was a great
someone for whom he has the “utmost
ultimately playing for West Ham United.
experience to say you have played and trained
respect. “I use Robert as an example of total
with those players. Harry was great for me.”
professionalism. He is a gentleman and is an
Even more fitting is that he is now California-based and operating daily in the
Feuer also played around 100 games
spotlight of the biggest club in the United
for Luton Town, having joined them when
Feuer is hoping for something special
States. Goalkeeper coach for LA Galaxy,
they were then a second-tier club. But the
this season. Why not an MLS Cup for the
Feuer is spreading the lessons learned to the
experience at West Ham left its mark. “I have
Galaxy and promotion for the Hammers? He
burgeoning Major League Soccer scene.
a real affection for the club. It is a blue-collar
would then love the two to meet for a game
club and the fans appreciate people who are
after that.
Born:20 May 1971, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Position: Goalkeeper Clubs played for:Club Brugge; Molenbeek; Los Angeles Salsa; West Ham United; Peterborough; Luton Town; New England Revolution; Rushden & Diamonds; Colorado Rapids; Wimbledon; Derby County; Tranmere Rovers; Wolverhampton Wanderers
hard-working and do their best.”
club to get back straight away,” he declared.
coincided with Ludek Miklosko’s long stay,
Sounds like the perfect Hollywood ending.
and he has only positive words for the man
With thanks to Rob Pritchard at West Ham
he would spend hours with on the practice
United FC.
pitches. “What a good guy he was and a great role model, I learned so much from him and he inspired me.” The roles have been reversed, with Galaxy. He has had a big hand in helping
headquarters, Feuer, now 40, looks back
former Bradford City stopper Donovan
on his time at the Hammers as one of the
Ricketts become Major League Soccer’s
happiest of his life. He had to have two takes,
leading No1 last season.
however, to realise his Upton Park ambitions. After a spell in 1994/95 without a game,
At 6’6 Ricketts may be the main man in MLS keeping but he still has to give way to
he was to get a second chance six years
his coach, not least with Feuer standing an
later again under Harry Redknapp. After a
inch taller. “The first day we met, I was sitting
brief stay at Cardiff City, he finally made his
down. He came in and I stood up. He just
Boleyn bow.
gave me this look!”
“It was an amazing time,” he said. “For me
Height competitions aside, Feuer is
as a kid I always dreamt of just playing in
fulsome in praise. “He has been amazing for us.
the professional league in England. It was
He has come on leaps and bounds. For him to
30 AUTUMN 2011
“I will be watching and rooting for the
Feuer’s first spell at Chadwell Heath
Feuer turning from trainee to mentor at the Talking on the phone from the Galaxy’s
amazing keeper.”
BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS
The business pages
SPL clubs to vote on change
over four years. “One of the fundamental problems we have is to make sure when clubs get relegated they don’t face financial Armageddon,” insists Doncaster. “That’s the real challenge and that’s what the plan partly addresses. A key aspect of this is
P
it’s about making sure the second tier of
from twelve to ten. The proposals are just
restructuring appears to be aimed at the
part of a restructuring plan that has been
well being of relegated SPL teams would
put forward by SPL Chief Executive, Neil
be wrong. Doncaster firmly believes the
Doncaster. The SPL last had ten teams ten
proposals will benefit the whole of the
years ago, but the new format would add
Scottish Football League. “It’s not just about
a play-off for the team finishing second
protecting the relegated clubs. For example,
bottom as well as automatic relegation for
a really good club like Falkirk with a fantastic
whoever finishes bottom.
community operation and a great academy
roposed changes to the
Scottish football is properly funded so that
Scottish Premier League could
when clubs are relegated financially they
see the number of teams in
can still cope.”
Scotland’s top flight reduced
To suggest that the main focus of the
“It’s a plan for Scottish football, it’s not
having to face some serious questions
just concentrating on a handful of clubs
about whether they can afford to run that
or just the top division it’s ensuring all 42 clubs have a far better environment going
Neil Doncaster
academy going forward. So it’s far more fundamental than looking after members,
forward,” Doncaster explains. “The various
top half and 36 games in the bottom part.
it’s about looking after the fabric of Scottish
elements of the plan are to go to a ten team
The bigger problem you’ve got is for those
football.”
top division and twelve team championship.
teams in seventh and eighth after the split,
It’s about merging the two leagues into one
they’ve got fourteen fixtures - over half a
a winter break. The winter break was first
entity with an earlier season start date and
season - with nothing to play for.”
introduced in Scotland in 1998 to try to
a play-off competition between the Premier League and the Championship where you have two potential promotion and relegation slots.” In order to implement the restructuring there will need to be a vote of the SPL clubs. While most of the clubs are supportive, there are still some yet to be convinced, including those who would actually prefer the league expanded to fourteen teams.
One of the fundamental problems we have is to make sure when clubs get relegated they don’t face financial Armageddon
“There are various reasons why the clubs took the view that they preferred the
Also part of the proposals is a plan for
minimise the number of games lost to the weather. However, the SPL scrapped the winter break in 2003 but the severity of recent winters has put the idea back on the agenda. “The details of the winter break still need to be worked through,” explains Doncaster. “The ideal time is clearly after the new year fixtures. Whether you have some sort of flexible winter break to accommodate the sort of weather we’ve had in the last couple of years remains to
Without question the single biggest issue
be seen but further discussion on that will
ten team set-up,” says Doncaster. “If you
for teams relegated from the SPL is finance.
happen. An earlier start to the season is
go to fourteen teams that doesn’t create
Currently when they drop into the Scottish
something we need to look at both from
any money that you can push down to
Football League they receive around
the point of view of clubs in Europe and
the second tier. Secondly you still retain
£375,000 over two years, the new proposal
improving the coefficient but also making it
a split, you end up with 36 games in the
would see up to £2.8 million being paid
more enjoyable for the supporters.” AUTUMN 2011 31
OUTSIDE THE BOX
In a league of his own!
Former England GK1 Gary Bailey explores the secrets of leadership which make Sir Alex the best manager in the world!
F
amed for his golden locks and
nicest, most caring guys you could ever
dashing good looks, Gary
meet. When I retired he looked after me and
Bailey has sailed seamlessly
was very concerned about my future.
from goalmouth to pundit’s
“A lot of managers don’t bother. He does
“When Peter came back he’d run through walls for Sir Alex. “
Keep it Positive
chair - becoming the voice of football on
it naturally. I think it has a lot to do with
“I’ve studied so many business models but
the African continent.
his own upbringing. Sam Allardyce, Harry
at the end of the day some of the basics are
Redknapp and all the these top managers
the most powerful. Then there’s something
South Africa, this former England GK1 and
have a rivalry with Sir Alex but also have
called Appreciative Inquiry - which is
self-confessed workaholic shares his time
huge respect.
a business school term really for being
Born in Suffolk but brought up in
between the Supersport TV studios, various
“Even Arsene Wenger has warmed to him
positive. “You will always have problems. If you
business interests and a growing reputation
over the years. He is tough and will let you
as the most sought after motivational
battle against him but so many ex-players
as an individual focus on the problems,
speaker in Africa.
like Beckham will still talk well of him. So
your life will be full of problems. At work, if
that’s the first point about being tough but
you are always looking at the 1% that goes
humble.”
wrong and not the 99% that is good, then
Now the 52-year-old, who played just short of 400 times for Manchester United, is turning his hand to writing - with his second book due out at the end of the year. In a rare break from the office, Gary speaks to GK1 (from the beach in Cape Town - and apparently it’s 35 degrees!) about the difference between good and great managers. “I wanted to explore how the greats survive, thrive and provide exemplary leadership,” explains Gary, who studied a physics degree in his spare time during nine seasons at The Theatre of Dreams. “I’ve seen first hand the leadership skills shown by great man managers.
If you are always looking at the 1% that goes wrong and not the 99% that is good, then you will create a negative mindset in the workforce.
Football management at the highest level
you will create a negative mindset in the workforce. “Instead focus on the good and create a positive mindset as a leader. So be positive as opposed to running your players down. “
Plan Ahead “And finally there’s Destiny. It’s critical to plan effectively for a great destiny. Your future will arrive sooner than you think and it’s important to make time to think ahead and prepare for your destiny. “Sir Alex was brilliant at this. He knew he couldn’t afford to go out and
is probably the most stressful job in the
Schmeichel
buy the very best players in the world so
world today. One third of Premier League
“The second thing is emotional intelligence
he set up the academy. It was a practical,
managers get sacked every season. In what
- or in another word, empathy. You need to
positive solution to a problem he faced. And
other business would that happen?”
be able to observe, evaluate and respond.
he went and found Beckham and Giggs and
You shouldn’t just walk into an office and sit
Scholes and the rest is history.
Gary, who took a Business Masters after leaving Manchester, now feels the
down and work. When you walk into a room
time is right to combine his own personal
there may be people who are going through
him at United. I think what saved him, if
experiences with the business lessons he’s
a crisis in their lives and know what’s going
indeed he was under pressure, was that he
learnt from the likes of Richard Branson - put
on. And again Sir Alex is very good at
had a wonderful youth squad and plans in
together to help managers in all walks of life
observing the players.
place for his destiny - another clear sign of
do their jobs better. So how would you explain the magic
“I remember when Peter Schmeichel was low on confidence and going through a
“For some time things didn’t go well for
great leadership.”
which a select band of managers seem to
tough time. Mid-season, Sir Alex told him to
Culture Club
possess?
take a few weeks off and go on holiday with
“I think a lot of managers have many of his
his wife. It was a big call at the time, but Sir
qualities but no one that I know of will have
Alex could see he wasn’t up to it.
every one of his qualities.
“For a start off it’s all to do with combining toughness and humility. You need two main abilities: ‘professional will’
“That’s great leadership, to look at the
“He made it his business to know
and ‘personal humility’. Sir Alex has both
people around you and know they are not
everyone at the club; made sure he went
these qualities in abundance. He comes
able to perform to the level you need - and
to see all the kids play at the levels; got to
across as tough but he is also one of the
then find a way to help!
understand each of them. AUTUMN 2011 33
“I don’t think his genius lies in any one
Tough Love
out of the player.”
aspect but I think it comes from him being
Gary’s examples also call upon the teachings
good at all aspects that pertain to being a
of another footballing knight, the late Sir
caps would have been a far greater haul
football manager.
Bobby Robson.
had he not faced the stiffest competition
“The players he brings in always learn
“Had it not been for Maradona’s ‘Hand of
For many observers, Gary’s two England
from two greats in Peter Shilton and Ray
to fit in with the culture of the club and
God’, which was just plain cheating, England
so they follow the Giggs/Scholes mantra
could well have won the World Cup. Again
of hard work, 110% on the pitch, never let
in 1990 when England had such a good
Calling Time
you down. Not every manager is able to
qualifying run, he went close,” recalls the
Gary’s mental fortitude was tested when
create that culture within his club: his choice
keeper who wore the Three Lions between
serious injury meant an end to his club and
of people around him, his staff and how
1978 and 1986.
international dreams at just 28.
he gets such dedication from his staff. It’s
“All those players that worked with him
Clemence.
“The end wasn’t so bad really. Maybe I’d
will tell you all about what a really caring
got into the United team too early, but by
person he was. He had an amazing way
28 I’d clocked up nearly 400 league matches
few years ago. I hadn’t seen him in a long
of showing you where you could improve
in a team that was desperate for success.
while and he offered me a lift. I didn’t want
without belittling you in the process.
We were always so nearly there. Added to
because he is a caring person. “For example I saw him at the airport a
to intrude but he insisted and said he’d got the driver outside. “Now to be fair he didn’t need to do that. He had his wife with him and he had things to do. But that’s a different side to him. He
“Some managers can make you feel
that pressure, the burden of not becoming
belittled and other managers can inspire
England’s regular keeper started to make life
you to get out there and show them just
very frustrating.
how good you are. “Sir Bobby and Sir Alex are those men
took me into central London from Heathrow
and it matters whether you are a caring
and got his driver to drop me off.”
manager or just in it for what you can get
“In ‘85 we had a team that should have walked the league. We had a great side and we blew it somewhere along the line. “If I had been at a smaller club and then moved to United at 28 I would have been
34 AUTUMN 2011
galvanised and excited. But I’d taken a
his time at United, he was involved in
structures from both family and friends only
battering for 8 years.
various social projects, benefiting the poorer
seem to inflame the situation. I felt there
parts of Manchester.
needed to be something easy to read and
“You base your game on confidence and when you are not thought of as the number
One of his proudest achievements
an accessible book that outlined a solution
1 keeper and you are not winning trophies
has been the key role he played as an
that would protect the children as much as
people start to question and you constantly
ambassador in South Africa’s successful bid
possible.
have to try and prove it’s not the goalkeeper
to host the 2010 World Cup.
that’s to blame - and it’s very tough. “I spent a year or so on the bench after the injury,” recalls Gary who until then had missed just 7 games in 7 years. “The knee got worse and it was obvious
And his first book saw Gary giving his
“It’s written from a dad’s perspective, but it isn’t just aimed at dads. If your brother
help and advice on a subject many miles
or son or colleague is going through a
from football.
divorce then the book will give you all the
Divorce
information and advice you need to help them to get it right for their kids. And, if
“I’d witnessed the terrible impact of divorce
you’re a mum, it’ll help you to understand
on kids first hand,” says Gary. “I’ve no doubt
what’s going on for your kids’ dad,” says
He was fantastic. There was a genuineness
that those parents didn’t intend to bring this
Gary.
about the man that surprised me. I had
pain on their children,” explains Gary, whose
always imagined managers to be quite
own 18-year marriage hit the rocks in 2006.
it was time to move on. “Sir Alex couldn’t do enough for me.
heartless in those situations. I remember
“Equally, I have no doubt that the
Kids First “I have a social conscience and it makes me
thinking at that time what a special man he
damage is an inevitable consequence if
feel like I want to contribute to the world
was.
parents lose sight of what their kids need
and I just thought maybe I can help others
during the turmoil.”
through the process of divorce.
“There was no point wondering what I was losing out on. I am damn lucky to
Keen to make sure his three kids didn’t
“I have got a simple approach to life. It
have played for the best club in the world.
get caught in the middle, he worked hard
doesn’t bother me how big my house is or
I played at a hell of a young age and I had
to find amicable solutions to potentially
how big my car is. The divorce book was
experienced some amazing things and it
damaging conflict areas. Four years on, and
really a way for me to help others.
was time to move onto a new challenge,”
his book ‘Divorce for Dads’ continues to offer
“I believe it is a circle, the more I help
recalls Gary, who won FA Cup winners
the benefit of that experience and help dads
others, the more the universe gives back to
medals in 1983 and 1985.
make the right choices for their kids.
me so at the end of the day it does seem to
“Yes, I could have achieved more and maybe I could have gone on to get a
“I’d seen the damage inflicted on children during a divorce, and how the support
work that way. “There are massive social needs here in
hundred caps for England but it didn’t
South Africa and I would like to think I can
happen so there’s absolutely no point in
help.”
worrying about it. It was time to move on.”
New Challenge In the two years that followed, Gary won five trophies back in South Africa with the famous Kaiser Chiefs of Johannesburg,
So as the sun dips down over the Atlantic Ocean, so far, so good. But looking back, would he have done anything different? “Yeah, if I had my time again I would never have been a goalkeeper!” he grins. Surprising then that his goalkeeping
before the knee ligaments finally called a
father Roy, who won a league title with Sir
premature end to his career.
Alf Ramsey at Ipswich, threw him the gloves.
“When they said I couldn’t play any more,
“He didn’t want me to be a keeper. He
I was determined not to think what I was
wanted me to be a cricketer - and I found
missing out on. I turned it all around and
out pretty quickly why! It’s the toughest
thought it is what it is and it’s time to move
position in the world of sport today. I don’t
onto a new challenge. There is just no point
think there is any other position that is as
worrying about it and thinking I could have
lonely and as pressurised. I mean how do
achieved more. “
you play in a position where everyday the
Giving Back
only upside of your job is that you don’t make a mistake? You walk out of there and
Throughout his career, Gary has had an
if you keep a clean sheet you go ‘thank
acute social conscience. Every week, during
heavens’ for that.” AUTUMN 2011 35
KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT
Sells Goalkeeper Products Wrap Series As per the rumour in our last issue, Sells Goalkeeper Products will this month launch their new Wrap Series for 2011. The new series of roll finger gloves features seven models to suit all climates and conditions. The Wrap Elite Aqua (pictured) is the flagship model of the Sells range and a huge favourite with professionals right across the globe. The 2011 version features the waterproof Aquastem fabric together with the ever popular Adhesion Ultra latex which provides unrivalled grip in wet conditions. The glove has a bandage wrist and has gone back to a traditional side seam and Velcro closure. Sells will launch three additional glove ranges in the next twelve months, Total Contact, Axis 360 and Silhouette. With a further 125 new products on their way, Sells, the brand for which Pro Direct Sport is the exclusive UK Distributor, looks set to remain at the leading edge in goalkeeping technology. Sells Wrap Elite Exosphere out now. For more information visit www.sellsgoalkeeperproducts.com
Selsport Extreme Purity The 2011/12 Selsport range sees the introduction of a new top end range of products, consisting of four fantastic deep embossed backhand gloves. The Extreme has been developed to combine the unrivalled comfort and grip which has become synonymous throughout the Selsport range with clean lines and advanced shaped backhand which aids the hands natural curvature. By including the top level ULTRA Supa Soft Adhesion latex and trusted trilock wrist strap the XTR provides top level pros a perfect balance with a new level of grip and flexibility with all round comfort. Selsport Extreme White out now. For more information visit www.selsport.com 36 AUTUMN 2011
KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT
Reusch Keon Deluxe G1 The Reusch Keon Deluxe G1 is a new addition to the 2011 range. The vibrant lime green colour option is this year’s
Uhlsport Cerberus Absolutgrip Fingerbett
promotional colour and has already been seen several times in this year’s Champions League as both Milan keepers wore the gloves in featured games against Spurs. Julio Cesar also wore the gloves when Inter Milan won the FIFA World Club Cup back in December. The Keon Deluxe G1 is Reusch’s top of the range glove without finger protection and has many outstanding features which offer superb grip, comfort and performance. Keon Deluxe G1 out now. For more information visit www.reusch.com
The new Uhlsport Cerberus Absolutgrip Fingerbett features a unique ergonomically shaped finger bed ensuring each finger remains stable and does not slip. Available from May 2011, Uhlsport endorsees such as Pepe Reina and Hugo Lloris are already taking advantage of the new patented Absolutgrip Plus grip foam which gives them advanced cushioning and outstanding grip in all weather conditions. Cerberus Absolutgrip Fingerbett out now. For more information visit www.uhlsport.com AUTUMN 2011 37
KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT KIT
A new force in the market Precision Goalkeeping has launched itself into the goalkeeping market in recent months with a host of big name signings and gloves being sold in stores up and down the UK. GK1 caught up with David Sanderson to find out about the rapid rise of the forward thinking brand.
P
recision Goalkeeping National Sales manager, David
the Precision Goalkeeping ranges.” Schmeichel, 24, said: “I am delighted to
Sanderson, who spent 15
have signed a partnership with Precision
years with Uhlsport before
Goalkeeping.
joining Precision Training said: “We
“As a goalkeeper it is vitally important that you trust the gloves you are wearing and I couldn’t be happier with them.” Schmeichel will be wearing a negative
“I had a number of other options but
cut glove made from supersoft latex,
might be a relatively new brand but we
after testing the gloves I was overwhelmed
adorned with the Danish flag and coloured
have a long history and heritage in the
by the quality and performance of the
white, black and gold.
goalkeeping market.
gloves, particularly the grip.
“Our team spent a long period
Kasper Schmeichel
Recently, Sunderland AFC goalkeeper Keiren Westwood has joined the ever
testing the first range of gloves with
expanding stable, he said; “Despite
Burnley’s Brian Jensen and when
being a relatively new brand they
we launched them the “Beast” wore
already have a great reputation
them against Chelsea in the Premioer
amongst the goalkeepers.
League at Turf Moor in 2010. “From that moment on the brand,
“As soon as I tried the new range I knew they were the right gloves for
that is part of Britain’s fastest growing
me – superb grip in all conditions and
sports brand Precision Training, has
a perfect fit.”
gone from strength to strength. “In less than a year we have
Sanderson commented; “The aim of Precision Training was to be able
launched a second range of gloves
to provide grass roots players the
designed by brand ambassador
opportunities to train and play like the
Kasper Schmeichel and are now being
professionals and the Goalkeeping
worn up and down the UK by senior
range is no different.
professionals, academy keepers and at grass roots. “We have worked very closely with
“We are certainly very excited about the future development of the brand with even more keepers expected to
all of the keepers to produce a glove
be wearing them throughout the UK.”
that can perform at the highest level
For further information on Precision
of the game and they will be heavily
Training please visit:
involved in the future development of
http://www.precisiontraining.uk.com
38 AUTUMN 2011
W
orld in Motion ltd is one of the UKs leading sports management companies offering a fully integrated management and marketing service to elite sports professionals. The company has developed a reputation for transparency and professional excellence since its inception in 1997, during which time its Licensed Agents have conducted close to 1,000 transfers or contract negotiations, and have been involved in some of the game’s most ground-breaking transfers. World in Motion
has established itself as the leading agency for goalkeepers, recognising the specialist nature of the position in a coaching, technical and also a contractual sense. Such is the dominance of the company in the market place that it has become the ‘go-to’ agency of a club seeking to recruit a goalkeeper. With a client list that includes a host of current Full and Under 21 internationals, and some of the bright stars of the future, the company has been encouraged to supply the market with a magazine, GK1, tailor-made for the goalkeeping profession.
With World in Motion by your side, your future is in safe hands.
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