LEE IS KEEPING IN THE LOOP
Former goalie passing on tips
EVER since playing for Bedgrove Dynamoes as a nipper, Richard Lee has been engrossed in the art of goalkeeping – and he’s eager to pass on his knowledge to the keepers of tomorrow.
Lee came through the ranks at Watford and went on to play Premier League football for the Hornets. He later turned out for Brentford and had loan spells with Blackburn and Fulham before injuries caught up with him and he called it a day a couple of years ago.
But that hasn’t dulled his love of goalkeeping. The 35-year-old is a mentor for young goalkeepers through his work for sports management company Refuel Performance Management and is also heavily involved in a goalkeeper training company, GK Icon.
Lee has also linked up with writer Adam Woodage to bring out a new book, So, You Want To Become A Professional Footballer?
It means he is firmly at the coalface of what is happening with young goalkeepers in this country and would love them to be given more opportunities to show what they can do.
“It’s often Catch 22,” he said. “You speak to clubs about loaning goalkeepers, and managers say, ‘I think he’s good, but we want someone with experience’. You only get that by playing.
“There are so many kids out there that have the raw attributes – the physical stature, the mental power. It comes down to a few things: have they got the inspiration (it was Peter Schmeichel for me as a kid), the motivation, whether it’s external or internal, and the environment – the quality coaching?
“We have had a bit of a lean time with keepers in this country, but Jack Butland is coming through and Jordan Pickford, too. I think we will see a few in the next ten to 15 years that will start to chal- lenge the Spanish and Germans as the best.”
It doesn’t help, believes Lee, that the art of goalkeeping is often overlooked.
“I think there is a lack of understanding – we play a completely different sport to the other players,” he explained.
Shielded
“However, you are often judged by managers and pundits who have never played in that position.”
One thing Lee is certain about is that young goalkeepers tucked up in academies should try to get out and play senior football as soon as they can, whether that is in the lower reaches of the EFL or in Non-League.
“It’s essential for keepers to go out on loan and the lower you go, the harder it is,” he said. “At Old Trafford, it could be a wet, wintry horrible night, but the stadium shields you. You’re playing on a carpet. They don’t cross the ball in and they let you play out from the back.
“It’s easier in the Premier League than in the Southern Premier. There, you’ll come up against a 6ft 5in striker jumping with his knees up.”
Lee says the new crop of keepers need to have a positive mindset if they are to achieve their goals.
“It’s very easy as a goalkeeper – and I fell into this trap – of playing a game not to make a mistake instead of going out to make yourself the hero,” he said. “You have to express yourself.” As for Lee himself, he’s about to put on the gloves for one last time – to help one of his proteges.
He mentors promising Ipswich shot-stopper Nick Hayes, who is on loan at EvoStik South Premier strugglers Dunstable Town.
However, the 18-year-old is unavailable for Tuesday night’s league game at Bishop’s Stortford because he has been called up for an England youth training camp.
Brainwave
Dunstable would need to bring in a new keeper on a minimum 28-day loan – and that would mean they wouldn’t be able to afford to extend Hayes’ loan, too. To safeguard the youngster’s position, Lee had the ‘brainwave’ to plug the gap for one game.
He said: “I have always kept myself in shape and I’ll have a couple of training sessions before the game. I’m not 100 per cent physically fit, but I can get myself in a space.
“I think I can do enough mental training as well as physical training to do a job.
“I will try to inject a bit of confidence into the back four and see if I can inspire them. I’m really excited about it.
“I’ve had a few injuries in the past, but it’s just a single game and I’ll give it my all.”
As for Hayes, Lee is confident he has the tools to carve out a successful career in the game and believes the experience he is getting in Non-League is invaluable.
“He can be anything he wants to be,” said Lee.
“I’m really enjoying working with some promising keepers and Nick is so dedicated to what he does.
“He eats, drinks and sleeps football.
“He’s got the England callup and he’s very highly rated at Ipswich. Nick is loving his time at Dunstable and his goal is to get more and more experience.” So, You Want To Become A
Professional Footballer? by Adam Woodage with Rich Lee, published by AW Publishing, is out now (£11.99).