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Unlucky 13: Being A Reserve Keeper Can't Be Fun

Stuart Taylor and Steve Harper are just two keepers who have spent most of their careers sitting on the bench. Daniel Storey ponders why some are happy to play back-up...

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Comments 1 - 10 of (23)

gazzydoo (Manchester United) says...

If they have kids, wonder how they tell them what they do for a living? Do the tell them they are a pro footballer? If so, what do they say when the kids ask to see highlights with them in etc? Or do they just tell em straight, "I'm the bloke who sits on the bench hoping Petr Cech doesnt get hurt" :)

Posted 12:59pm 25th March 2013

uncredited says...

@fictionalemu Gudni Bergsson managed to complete a lawyer's degree in Iceland while playing full time for Bolton in the Premiership so I'd say it's more about the person than about the workload.

Posted 12:52pm 22nd March 2013

KevinBoatang says...

If you want toi be a keeper surely this is a given? Yes, of course you want the no1 spot, but its a specialist position and there's only one int he taem of eleven, so not only is amazing that out of the millions and millions who play football in any position you have even become a professional, the chances of being the number one guy are incredibly remote. 92 clubs, say 300 keepers. it's like the reserve kicker in American football, the teams needs a back up but you'll never play.

Posted 1:32pm 21st March 2013

TeddyJurgen79 says...

As a former goalkeeper, I often enjoyed the training, more than the match days. I liked making saves, and apart from the odd few games a season, where my defence fell apart and I was peppered with shots, I never got the ball enough for my liking. Therefore whilst from an ego perspective, I always wanted to be number 1, I can see the attraction of cameo appearances in big stadiums, better pay, and the day job or training and making saves supplemented by the best facilities.

Posted 12:29pm 21st March 2013

lfc1981 (Liverpool) says...

I think the bit that has been overlooked is how do you get a move if you are no.2? At Liverpool Reina plays if fit, in the U21/reserves Peter Gulacsi plays, so Brad Jones rarely gets a game at any level, if your not playing, no other teams can scout you, therefor, they are not going to come in and say 'come and be our no.1' simply because they have no idea how good or bad you are (at the moment) on a matchday.

Posted 11:55am 21st March 2013

dougyboy73 (Manchester United) says...

@nathaus I was just about to say that, but not I wouldn't have put it as well as you have

Posted 9:40am 21st March 2013

nathaus (Fulham) says...

I think this is more than a little disingenuous to reserve 'keeprs. True they may sit out on Saturday, but I'm sure they put in as much effort as everyone else throughout the week at training and some of them may be quite good at other aspects of being part of a team (psychological, etc). As you have alluded to, it takes a certain type of person to be a reserve goalkeeper. Professional football is a lot more than 2 hours on a Saturday. It's akin to that bloke in the office who has been there for years in the same job. He may seem like a grumpy b*stard, but at least he puts his hours in and does what's asked of him. Just because he doesn't get invited to all those board presentations he's helped out on, doesn't mean he isn't an important cog in the wheel.

Posted 5:10am 21st March 2013

fictionalemu says...

My favourite fact about Steve Harper (which I hope is true) is that he managed to complete an Open Uni course while playing second fiddle to Shay Given. Says a lot about how busy the life of a professional number 13 is.

Posted 2:02am 21st March 2013

wezmond (Manchester United) says...

My brother in law is a pro footballer. He tells me reserve keepers can get pretty weird and depressed, and even pretend to be injured if they're ever called upon, they get so stressed about the idea of playing again.

Posted 3:29pm 20th March 2013

Fuzzy_Dunlop (West Bromwich Albion) says...

tonyv - Boaz Myhil at Albion has Welsh caps.

Posted 2:50pm 20th March 2013

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