Nearly 18 months ago, when I first decided to write a blog about being the parent of a young goalkeeper, there was specifically one reason why I thought it would be a good idea.
Concern or maybe worry, was the main feeling in my mind. It was similar for my lad.
To summarise, he was in the middle of pre-season in between u12’s and u13’s. That meant moving onto a bigger pitch but also moving into full size goals for most of his games. Our concerns were likely the same as any goalies/parents in the same stage of junior football, in that we knew he could be in for a rough ride, being a 12 year old trying to defend a full sized goal.
As he went through the season, he did well. He’d known as soon as he trained in full sized goals he needed to improve his footwork, to increase his speed around his goal to make up for the gaping holes that were bound to occur for an average height lad in a huge goal.
During the season because the team were doing well in the top division, scouts came and watched them. At different times through the season, he attracted interest from three local teams, went training with them and had trials. All this meant that his confidence generally grew, albeit with the odd knock to it along the way.
I saw the growth in confidence as well as him growing in stature as a goalkeeper. During the season in both training and games, he surprised me with some of the saves he made.
The only thing was that as the scouts started taking an interest in him and he went to new surroundings for training sessions and to play friendlies, I knew he had to prove his worth all over again to a new audience. To the coaches, but also his potential new team mates and their parents. It didn’t seem to phase him too much, or if it did, he hid it well. But every time I took him to training sessions it felt, to me at least, that he was under the microscope.
At the academies, he usually didn’t know any of the other lads and I didn’t know any of the parents, so in the first few weeks, it definitely felt like we were outsiders. Over time, as the training sessions went by, we both felt more at ease but I think the fact he’s a goalkeeper (not an outfielder) always means in parents and players minds it’s much more black and white as to whether he’s up to the task.
In the space of 6 months, the academies had been and gone.
The first in line wanted to sign him without any real trial, just based on a few training sessions. He turned them down because he felt it was too rushed. He didn’t really get his head round the situation and suddenly they wanted his signature. The second club had him training with them before the third nipped in to offer him a trial. The trial ended up being unsuccessful and then he decided he didn’t want to go back to training with the other team because there were a couple of months before they restarted after their Summer break. All the time, during the 6 month period I felt tense. Having watched him for enough times as a goalkeeper, I know what he can do and I know he’ll always put 100% in but there’s always that little doubt in my mind that the next step up might be just too much for him. A step too far. That’s not particularly because of his ability (or a lack of), more the fact that I usually don’t know the standard that he’s trialling for.
The upshot was that it meant he was back to playing grassroots and also with his school team. In both teams he felt comfortable. He was going into his fourth season with the grassroots team and was captaining the school team for the second year in a row, so I knew he was well thought of on both counts. The main thing was that he was more than happy playing for them both and it showed. The knot in my stomach loosened at the thought of him playing for just the two teams, in familiar surroundings, where in the majority of games, he has plenty to do.
Then, in July, for the first time, he was put forward for the City Schools trials. Cue the worry, again.
The step up hasn’t been too much for him. A tournament featuring the City’s usual opponents and a couple of others was his first involvement. He did very well in the semi-final in particular. The league matches he’s played in since then have had mixed results as far as scorelines go but he’s looked assured, confident and performed well. Once again, a few of his saves have pleasantly surprised his coach. And there have been some lovely comments about his performances from some of the parents.
Then, in August came the chance to try out for the County Schools team. He wasn’t sure whether to go or not. I think this was because he was still getting used to playing for the City Schools team. I told him there was no point not trialling.
“What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t get in? You can say you’ve had a trial for your County if nothing else.”
So he went for the trial. And got in. Cue the worry, again.
The squad to travel for the first game was to be announced the weekend before the game was played on the following Monday night. I didn’t hear anything over the weekend, so just assumed he hadn’t made it into the squad. Then at about 4pm on the Sunday, we got a message saying the venue had needed to be changed due to the poor weather but the squad was also on the message. He was in.
It was the first round of the All-England Inter Counties Cup, away v Merseyside, so we had a 2½ hour journey to Liverpool during rush hour to get there for a 7pm meet and 8pm kick off. The manager had said he would name 16 players – 2 keepers and 14 outfielders. Because of that, I guessed he’d get half a game. I asked my lad which half would he prefer to play, given the choice? He said the second. Right there is the difference between him and me. Waiting for the second half would have tied my stomach in knots either watching him, or if I was playing myself.
We were stood at the side of the pitch as the lads warmed up. As the goalkeeper coach put the two keepers through their paces, there was no indication as to who was playing first or second. Not long after, the two teams lined up. He was playing the first half. Although my legs were rapidly turning to jelly, I was a little bit relieved. My thinking was that both teams would want to test the water a little bit, so he might get time to settle into the game. That’s how it panned out, for about five minutes at least.
Most of the early play was down towards his goal. He was doing plenty of talking though, which was great to hear playing in a new team with lads he didn’t know, against what looked like very competent opponents. Then he started having to make saves. He did well. Parents stood near me were shouting, “Good save keeper”, “Well done keeper.”
It all seemed to be going well enough, then two missed chances to clear the ball and it bounced to their striker. The lad hit it first time and the net bulged. He couldn’t do anything about it, it was struck too well and I think he knew that but I worried that it might affect him and possibly open the floodgates. He made a good save within a minute or so of the goal. They got their composure back, went up the other end and equalised. A few more saves from the lad and then it was half time. 1-1. More than happy with that. In fact chuffed to bits with that.
He’d come through it unscathed. Once again, the step up hadn’t been too much for him. My breathing went back to normal and I watched the rest of the lads look like taking the game to extra time. The second half was very similar to the first. Our keeper was the busier and did very well. Then, with extra time looming one of our lads knocked a ball over the top and as their keeper started coming out, our striker lifted it over him and into the empty net.
2-1
Injury time took an age to pass but the final whistle went and the lads (and parents) celebrated like we’d won the cup.
The lesson that I continue to learn as he plays his football – for whichever team – is that I don’t know where his ‘level’ will end up being. And also that the knots in my stomach are here to stay.
I really need to keep the faith.
Keeper of the faith 
It?s difficult to find well-informed people about this subject, but
you seem like you know what you?re talking about!
Thanks
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