Baker getting starts for Southgate

Another goalkeeper deputising for a national league starter, and being given playing time (moreso than Dowse), is Chris Baker at Southgate. With more clubs taking their chances with young goalkeeping talent, as mentioned previously, depth grows and competition should push along advancement as players fight more for the starting role game in and game out (as you would expect more commonly for outfield players).

Whilst the team in front of the goalkeeper chosen to play has to grow accumstomed to their playstyle and technical approaches and adapting to the switch for the next game, the bonuses make up for this in the growing competition pushing along the higher level of play (as mentioned, as they fight for spots) and the psychological edge of game motivation to play to your complete best, greatly benefiting the team in the results and table standings (currently standing first in their division).

Baker gained important game experience in the Premier League playing for Wimbledon in the 2014/15 season, deputising in place of Tom Millington when he was out injured with back problems, before joining Southgate. And Baker has gone from strength to strength in his inclusion in the first team from training to games, with encouraging performances.

When Allan signed from Holcombe, management said they were looking for a deputy to split starts and push for game time and with Baker being started in league games, rings true for the club and management, with Baker being given the room to push for starts and earn his keepsake.

This approach is a very forward and progressive one and one I think many clubs should be looking at to learn from; offering young talent can only better those in question and English hockey's goalkeepers as a whole (games are where true experience comes from and without it, young goalkeepers cannot be expected to become fully fledged starters off the bench).

With the current state of goalkeeping depth not as well constructed as other nations (like Germany, Australia or Holland for example) from the top down, this is a great step in the right direction and is paying off for both Southgate and Baker.

http://spactionimages.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/20151018-Southgate-v-Sevenoaks/G0000zLNRAiW8eSk/I0000UZSII4LpEto/C0000c4Rt8kydBRU

http://spactionimages.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/20160213-Southgate-v-Brighton-Hove/G0000TCMfDZYRHig/I0000q41u_sPfWTc/C0000c4Rt8kydBRU

Scottish goalie trend (part 3): Allan's thoughts

Last but not least in this original mini-series of interviews with Scottish international goalkeeping talent, is Allan's thoughts on the differences and standouts from his reflections on his goalie career path and Scots background. Allan offers an honest and refreshing account on things (always makes for a better read and to learn from; not that the other two aren't or haven't!), and some sound advice for you young goalies out there.

Allan in action for Southgate.

1.       As one of the first Scottish goalkeepers to head south to play in the English national leagues, do you think this was a key move forward for the Scottish system?

My move South was motivated by work rather than hockey. However it also brought an opportunity to play in a far more competitive league. I think that it certainly helped me to become a better goalkeeper at the time.

2.       Do you think it helped English coaches and fans of that area of hockey recognise what Scotland has to offer in terms of quality goalkeepers (i.e. with Amy Gibson playing at Old Loughtonians etc.) ;) ?

As in...we have more to do?! :-) We usually did / do to be fair. I'm sure that coaches looking at it from selection and training point of view certainly took it into consideration.

3.       Now that you have stepped back from international commitments, who would be your pick of the bunch for Scotland’s future and earning as many caps as you have, starting in goal?

I think the three current guys involved (Jamie, Gavin and David) will be jostling for the starting job for a few years. That's obviously not to say that someone from the U21s or even the U18s can't stake a claim to at least be involved with the senior programme. The good thing as my years in the national setup went on was that the number of games we played each year increased, so there are more chances for young goalies to be involved. It still took me 10 years to get to 50 caps though!

4.       Do you think Ali McGregor will also be a goalkeeping hero for inspiring future goalkeeping talent, after his notable goalkeeping performance in the 2008 Olympics?

I think that for that to happen Scottish Hockey needed to make more of the situation at the time. It's been nearly 8 years since Ali played in Beijing. His performance at that tournament was stunning and his performances in the year building up to the Olympics were consistently outstanding. I don't think enough noise was really made around and after his Olympic performance. He was / is a goalkeeping hero of mine and a great partner to work with.

5.       You were coached by George Guy, who is well known for his goalkeeping tuition in Scotland, did this mentorship prove useful in where you are today?

George (first) coached me 1994/1995 which is a bloody long time ago! There are certainly a lot of things that we worked on in those days that I still use to this day. I've tweaked them to fit in with the current style of hockey but certainly the basic principles that we worked on all those years ago still hold true. George ended up working with a lot of the guys that came through the East District setup, and I think between the pair of us we ended up coaching a fair few decent goalies into national programmes.

6.       Was there anything that stood out as a marked difference between the approach coaching goalkeepers in Scotland versus what you have seen of the English way of doing things?

I think to be honest there is a lack of goalkeeping coaching throughout the whole of the UK. I've been very fortunate to be coaching some great goalkeepers in England at the moment but that's only towards the very top of the age group setup. When young goalies are going back to their respective clubs there is just not the knowledge and quality to help them make those 'next' steps forward.

7.       Do you think the notable performances in Europe with Azzuri Kelburne helped ‘put you on the map’?

I think that it helped but looking back and being a bit reflective I don't think that I was all that good in Europe! I really struggled to get into the games. My goals against were, for the most part, poor. It maybe put me on the map for the wrong reasons! Again if I'm being honest I never fully enjoyed or appreciated the experience; the teams I played against were all very good in their own way and the teams I played for were hard working and as best prepared as they could be, we probably deserved better in terms of results (2007 in Bloemendaal certainly). But away from the pitch I really did not enjoy myself, it felt like a bit of a hollow existence for the time I was away. Now that I am an old man I enjoy my EuroHockey experiences both in terms of on and off the field. With Inverleith in 2012 and this year I have loved playing in matches and played well in them too. That means off the field I can be more relaxed and not be worrying about the next game.

8.       Was moving to Surbiton a risk at all, as you moved south to take over at the club?

It's always a risk moving clubs. It was a risk when I moved to Kelburne (and every other club too). It was a risk when I moved to Surbiton. I knew no one at the club, I had never played in the Premier League before and I was less than 4 months post surgery on my hip. It could have been a total disaster playing wise. But as I said in Q1 I actually moved for work first and hockey second.

9.       With your own coaching experiences, how/would you compare the standard and approaches of coaching goalkeepers in England to Scotland?

I think the standard is good across both countries. The difference is that in England it's more than a 1 man team trying to get across the message. It was a rarity in Scotland to have someone come and actually do goalkeeping, even from a coaching point of view.

10.   Getting the chance to play in the national league from such a young age, do you think it is important for young goalkeepers to get that opportunity, so long as they have the talent?

Yes. Without a doubt. I was very fortunate, Inverleith had been relegated to Division 2 and there was essentially a fire sale of players. Guys that had been around for 8-9+ years were told they were not the future and they stepped down a level. We had a great groups of guys around my age (14-16 years old) that were thrown into the 1st team and a few very experienced players were kept in the team. We grew up together, won 5 outdoor and 3 indoor junior Scottish Cups together (consecutive years) so it helped shape us as players for when we actually became adult players.

11.   And would you encourage this, in spite of the alternative point of view from coaches?

Absolutely.

12.   Are there any notable junior goalkeepers you know of ready to challenge at the top tier in Scotland?

Being based in London sadly doesn't allow me the insight to our up and coming goalies. I'm pretty sure there are kids who aspire to be the best though.

13.   What words of sage advice would you give goalkeepers who have their own national league ambitions?

Always want to get better.

Allan goes to Southgate

Transfer rumours aside, one key goalkeeper transfer is Allan Dick joining Southgate, with Pinner moving to Holcombe as one of their big summer signings. In Allan, Southgate have an experienced goalkeeper with international experience that has experience of playing in the Premier division with a season of games whilst at Surbiton. As far as I remember correctly, Allan work sees him coaching juniors as part of junior development in the East of London, so travel wise he'd be a little closer than driving down to Kent for the commute at least!

Ironically it's at a strange time for Allan who is moving away from international hockey; if he looked to postpone his retirement, the move to Southgate would help with his development possibilities and international selection competition. With Hibbert stepping down, there was a big void between the posts being left and Southgate have made an astute signing to bring him in as a replacement. Allan is at a peak age for a goalkeeper and he has a lot of experience to back up his credentials but also to offer a calm and concise mind behind his defence as they look to retain their Premier league season in their first season back in a little while (seemingly yo-yoing between the two!).

http://englandhockey.co.uk/fl/ehl/playermovement_m.asp?l=1

More views of TK indoor pad cover design

With Peter Savage's photography skills on display at the Maxifuels finals in Wembley yesterday, there's more evidence of the design if looking more closely. The cover seems to loop around the face of the pad, with gaps at the straps to fit through, as demonstrated in the action pics:

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/3f44426

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/3f44340

http://hockeyimages.co.uk/sf45364

http://hockeyimages.co.uk/3f45104

[Edit: 400th post woop woop!]

TK producing indoor pad covers??

With quite a few goalkeepers wearing TK embroided pad covers for indoor hockey in England, one wonders whether they will actually be producing them in the near future. Although they look more like a design in the vein of adapted pillow cases, taped on at the sides of the pads, versus the strapping system Verbunt use, someone has still made the effort to get the TK logo embroided on them! Canterbury's Diccon Stubbings (as illustrates below) could be seen wearing them, with a few others spotted in them. James Bailey has also been spotted in them in indoor action for club side Reading and internationally with England indoor of late. Allan Dick playing for Holcombe was also wearing them at the Maxifuels Finals in Wembley yesterday. Seem to be quite a few of the England sponsored TK goalies in them, so are they going to be on the market any time soon?!

Allan changes headgear!

Not the most exciting of gear sightings (I really should probably write something about the new TK isoblox design at some point!), but interesting to note that Holcombe's starter Allan Dick has finally made the changeover from the ice hockey player's helmet and cage set-up to a mask. The mask is one of Obo's ones with a Grim Reaper paint job (enough to make me jealous!). Good to see him making the change to a more solid ridged design to protect the grey matter needed to help with decision making (and to separate ourselves from the rest of the team, as goalies, obviously!), but on a serious note, would be interested to take note of how much he has found the change to peripheral vision and sight lines as a result! 

Pictures here:

http://lsp.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/2013-09-21-Oxted-v-Holcombe/G0000_no6it.UrzM/I0000No.5DfXfmlc/C0000jydqNB3rVhQ

Dick and Forrester representing Scotland in indoor

With the indoor season more than underway, international friendlies are also on the go. Scottish international and Holcombe star Allan Dick has been playing for his country in indoor competition alongside fellow National League East Conference compatriot (and opponent!) David Forrester. Both have been partaking in the English indoor season so far with Allan playing for his Kent side club and David playing for Essex side Old Loughtonians. Or at least David will be, when his fixtures start at the weekend!! Holcombe have been doing pretty well so far, and having helped them gain promotion to the Premier division last seaso, I'm sure Allan will being doing all he can to help them stay! Unfortunately no photos/videos (that I've been able to uncover!) of the guys in action for Scotland!