As another season draws to a close and promotion and relegation issues are settled,it is a time for reflection
I would like to congratulate Steve Harper, a goalkeeper who I had the pleasure of working with during my time at Newcastle United. ‘Harps’ has had an excellent season and played massive part in helping Newcastle win the Championship and get them back to the Premier League.
I sincerely hope ‘Harps’ now gets the opportunity to play regular in the Premier League. I know I am biased but I really do believe that during my time at St James, I did have the best two goalkeepers in the Premiership!
Congratulations also to Fraser Foster, who in his formative years attended Simon Smith Goalkeeping sessions and I helped to fix him up with one to one coaching whilst he finished his education before going to Newcastle United full time. Fraser has been on loan at Norwich City and has played a major part in helping them get promoted back into the Championship. In Tim Krul and Fraser, the future of goalkeeping is in safe hands!
Another success story is Adam Collin at Carlisle United, I had the arduous task at Newcastle United of telling young goalkeepers that they weren’t going to be good enough for Newcastle United, I had that conversation with Adam. He dropped out of professional football went and played for Workington in the Blue Square North League for a few seasons before signing for Carlisle United at the start of this season, back in professional football, a testimony to his desire and determination. Adam has played this season in League One, including a game at Wembley in front of 70.000 people and played very well. I am genuinely delighted for him.
On the downside!
My thoughts and best wishes to go Shay and his dislocated shoulder – (great ‘step and dive’ save). Getting injured is the bain of any professional sportsman’s life but for it to happen at such an important time of the season is cruel, both on Shay and Manchester City, for whom he has been such a major player this season.
Bring on the World Cup!!
Simon
Originally published April 29th 2010
