Frustrated Blog

The heading of my latest blog sums up how I feel at the moment with peoples views on goalkeeping in general, goalkeepers and goalkeeping coaches.

From all my experiences over the years both from playing myself and through my coaching career so far I have to say, managers and outfield coaches in "general", not all but in general couldn't care less about goalkeepers but are very quick to moan when the ball hits the back of the net. STOP..................THINK............................REWIND..........now start at the top end of the pitch:

Has the striker given the ball away needlessly with a bad touch, a bad pass or a bad shot?

Has the Striker bothered to shut down the full back or centre back to try and stop them playing out easily?

Has the wide midfielder worked hard enough to stop the full back or opposition wide midfielder breaking?

Has the central midfielder got a tackle in?

Has the midfield in general given the ball away cheaply?

Has the midfield tracked their men back and stopped them getting into the box un-marked?

Has the midfield been caught out of position allowing the opposition through too easily?

Has the full back stopped the cross coming into the box?

Has the centre back won his header or tackle?

Has the centre back marked his man tightly?

Has the defence or midfield given away a needless free kick in a dangerous area?

Hopefully you are starting to see where I am going with this. If you analyse each goal you can take it back to where the move first started and see who hasn't done their job and how the ball has eventually got anywhere near your goal before you even start looking at why the goalkeeper hasn't been able to keep the ball out. No it's easier to just blame the goalkeeper it seems.

When teams do concede goals, yes the goalkeeper can at times be at fault and have done better to prevent that goal I am not denying this and a goalkeeper and a goalkeeping coach should first look to see what could of been done better from a purely goalkeeping aspect. The trouble is when a team is conceding goals regularly whether the goalkeeper is directly responsible for a goal or not, confidence will naturally be affected. It's at times like these the goalkeeper has to have a strong character and personality about them and shrug off what has happened, reflect briefly yes but then forget about it and move on to the next game or next moment in the match.

"You cannot affect or change the past, but you can make a difference to the future"

Therefore when a goalkeeper has made a mistake or let a goal in the thing I look for is what they do next, do they go into their shell, sulk or make further mistakes or are they positive and play their normal game and not allow it to affect them. It's those that have the ability to shrug it off and be positive that are the successful goalkeepers.

I have seen and heard through my own eyes and ears when a coach or manager has moaned about a goalkeeper over a goal or game they have played yet when that goalkeeper has made a great save or had a great game you hear the phrase "Thats what they are there to do"........I also remember having a debate with a striker once when our team's goalkeeper got a "man of the match award" and he moaned the same thing "Thats what he is paid to do, make saves" and my response was that working on that principle every time that striker failed to score in a game that surely mean't he WASN'T doing his job and should be dropped!!

On a number of occasions I have been sat in the dugout in both youth and senior football and the coach or manager of that respective team has turned and moaned at me that the goalkeeper hasn't come for a cross, or should of done this or that. The thing is that works both ways as perhaps I should pass comment everytime an outfield player miss-times a pass, misses an open goal, fails to make a good tackle, doesn't mark his man etc....the list goes on......

Yet after all of this has that coach or manager given due care and attention to the goalkeeper in the training during the week or in the pre-match warm up or has he just concentrated on the outfield players and left the goalkeeper to his own devices without any specialised help, support or encouragement. Probably not as most outfield coaches and managers are obvlivious to the needs of a goalkeeper so don't even think about it.

This leads me on as a prime example to the strange attitudes at the FA itself and a coaching process I just cannot make sense of. Through the coaching pathway at the FA, as I have worked through my badges to be a goalkeeping coach I have had to do it in this order: Level One outfield, Level One Goalkeeping, Level Two outfield, Level Two Goalkeeping, UEFA B Licence outfield, UEFA B Licence Goalkeeping. I now want to do my UEFA A Licence Goalkeeping but have to do my UEFA A Licence outfield first......which is a 2-3 year course and costs around £3,500 pounds!!!! The last course I tried to enquire about was over-subscribed so my pathway is being blocked financially (as I now can't afford it, wheras at the time Swindon Town were prepared to fund it) and in terms of time it will take for me to get to UEFA A Licence goalkeeping.

I repeat that you have to pass the outfield qualification BEFORE you can pass the goalkeeping qualification. I am told that you need to have the outfield knowledge as this affects the goalkeeping element in the game. So working on that theory you would naturally assume that to become an outfield coach you would also have to do the goalkepeing qualifications as well................WRONG!!!! You never have to take a goalkeeping qualification if you don't want to and can work all the way through up to Pro Licence. Nobody has ever explained to me the reason behind this or how that can be fair and right but basically it means to become a goalkeeping coach you need to be more qualified and knowledgable than an outfield coach!

No wonder goalkeepers stick together and you hear often about the "Goalkeepers Union" its because it can be a thankless position to play or coach, you need thick skin and a strong character and you get little support.

Having said all of that and got it off my chest, it won't stop my enthusiasm to try and help, encourage and improve all that I work with both in youth and senior level football.

Opening Blog Of The Season

Well its been 8 weeks since my last blog and alot has been going on since then. For some people a well earned rest but for me I only managed two full weeks where my gloves were washed and put away and did not see the light of day. It's good to have a rest and re-charge the batteries and in many ways I would of liked a longer break. However gone are the days when I used to pack my football kit away and get out my "whites" and cricket bat and spend my summer at the crease.

At the end of May I held a two day course at Cirencester Town and had 28 goalkeepers attend and generally the weather wasn't too bad. It was a good weekend and the attitude and efforts of all that attended was excellent and their parents should be proud of their children. They worked hard but there was a good mix with the "Banter" that went on amongst the children themselves and the coaches so everyone enjoyed the two days. Phil Smith from Swindon Town came out as a favour to me and talked openly about the season just past and touched briefly on the season ahead. Phil also handed out the awards for me and posed for pictures and signed autographs which I and everybody appreciated. All the pictures from those two days can be found on the gallery page of my website.

Also during the summer so far I was staggered to receive an email from as far away as a parent in Norway! This parent was due over in England on a family holiday and he enquired about booking some private one-to-one coaching sessions while over here for his 6 year old son who plays in goal for his local team in Norway. We managed to finalise some dates and times around my hectic schedule and I got to work with 6 Year old Oliver. At such a young age one-to-one sessions can be hard going depending on both their ability level and attention level and also because one-to-one sessions can be quite demanding physically. However Oliver did really well and impressed me greatly in the short time I had with him and he showed signs of improvement very quickly so I hope he is now back in Norway putting into practise the aspects of goalkeeping we worked upon. A few pictures taken by his Dad can be seen on my "Steve Hale Goalkeeping Facebook Page" and I also hope to have them on the gallery page of this website shortly.

In terms of my work with Swindon Town Centre of Excellence again I didn't get much of a break as the Squad for the Milk Cup Tournament in Ireland we compete in each year reported in at the start of June for its preperations. Therefore I worked with three of our goalkeepers aged under 15 who were competing for the two goalkeeping spots in the squad. Initially we worked on the physical side and in the sun they certainly sweated as I put them through their paces. Then as it got closer to the departure date we got more into the technical and game specific work and all three goalkeepers worked hard. Halfway through the 6 week training period the two goalkeepers that would be travelling were finalised but credit to the third who was unfortunately left out as he showed a fantastic attitude and continued to come in training and was ready if he were called upon. As it turned out he was unlucky not to make the trip with us to Ireland as one of the goalkeepers picked up a hand injury on the eve of the tournament but still travelled. While at the tournament the younger of the two goalkeepers we took got his opportunity to start due to the hand injury picked up by the first choice and older goalkeeper who needed an extra day or two to recover. As it was the young goalkeeper took his opportunity really well picking up Man of the Match in the first game against a Professional Danish side, then keeping his place and keeping a clean sheet against a North Dublin team before doing well again against Premiership side Everton in the third game. In the fourth game the first choice was recalled allowing him some game time and in a penalty shoot out he made a match winning penalty save. In the final both played a half each though we unfortunately slipped to defeat but over the week I was generally pleased with how they performed.

Remaining on the Swindon Town theme, over the summer First Team Goalkeeping coach George Wood was sadly let go by Paolo Di Canio to bring in his own man which often happens in football. I was particularly sad about this as over the past two years George had been extremely supportive of me personally and I often assisted him, watched him and talked to him and I learn't alot from him. I have spoken to him since his departure and will remain in touch with him and I sincerely hope he picks up another job soon as he has masses of experience which goalkeepers can benefit from and is a thoroughly top bloke. To date I haven't yet met any of the new management team including new goalkeeping coach Domenico Doardo but hope to meet them soon. I have spoken with the two Youth team goalkeepers at the County Ground and they have both said Domenico has a totally different style of goalkeeping coaching to what they have been used to in the past so i'm looking forward to the opportunity to go in and meet Domenico and watch how he works.

At Cirencester Town we started back in pre season at the end of June and having lost goalkeeper Matt Bulman to Blue Square Premier side Forest Green Rovers on a two year full time contract I managed to make contact with Danny Greaves, a goalkeeper who came through the system at Bristol Rovers but who then drifted into the Non league game. Between me and the gaffa we persuaded him to sign and I have to say he has been a pleasure to work with so far. He is 27/28 years of age, has a good physique and stature for a goalkeeper and is athletic and very agile. Having seen Matt get back into the full time game (Matt came through the system at Swindon before he to drifted into the non league game) I feel that if Danny works hard this season and performs well he to could potentially be snapped up again from a team higher up and hopefully I can help him along the way.

Back to my goalkeeping school and my regular Monday evening sessions will be re-starting on Monday 5th September at Ruskin Junior School so I will be looking forward to my existing goalkeepers returning and any new goalkeepers who want to work at their game and improve.

Please continue to follow my website and blogs and also I do have a "Steve Hale Goalkeeping School Facebook Page" where you can also pick up news, see pictures and even the occasional video clip.

Under 16's Team Seek Goalkeeper

Shaw Under 16a are looking for a new goalkeeper for the coming season. The team trains on a Wednesday evening between 6.00pm & 7.30pm and they play their home matches at Chestnut Springs, Lydiard Millicent. This season the team will be competing in Division Two of the North Wilts League.

If you are interested in finding out more please contact Jim Miller on 07743 576911 or via email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Under 9's Team Seek Goalkeeper

Highworth Under 9' s are looking for an experienced Goalkeeper for the 2011/2012 season.

The team train on Saturday mornings at Highworth.

Highworth Under 9's have 2 Level 1 coaches and run two firm but good fun teams. They are keen to ensure their goalkeepers get the specialised training needed, there are goalkeeping sessions at Highworth fortnightly plus they would be willing to help with payment to train with Steve Hale goalkeeping school if more suitable. If you are interested please call Sharon 07703 014814 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Under 10's Team Seek Goalkeeper

Shaw Under 10's are on the lookout for a goalkeeper for the coming season. The goalkeeper would need to be of School Year 5 and he would get specialised goalkeeping training every other Saturday morning. For more details contact James Whitlock on 07799 402950 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"Save for Robbie Appeal - We raised £2055!"

Five year old Robbie Davies suffered a bleed on his brain when he was born nine weeks prematurely, causing a condition known as diplegia cerebral palsy which means the muscles in his legs do not work properly. ALL little Robbie Davies wants to do is kick a football with his brother, but so far the five-year-old has spent most of his life in a wheelchair.

Team Seek Goalkeeper

Wootton Bassett Town are looking for a Goalkeeper for the 2011/2012 season to play in their Under 9s team. If interested please contact either Jeremy Smith on 07501 470678 or Neil Timbrell on 07740 897860

Final Blog of the Season

May Bank Holiday Monday and I write my final blog of the season and the chance for a well earned break, though a relatively short one it will be. For the next four weeks my boots and gloves and can cleaned and put away and a chance to relax with no coaching of any kind and a chance to reflect and re-charge the batteries.

The last few weeks of the season at Swindon Town Centre of Excellence have been hectic to say the least. Firstly the tough task of the retains and releases where we decide on who gains another contract and who unfortunately at this stage isn't up to the required standard. Obviously it's great to see the young goalkeepers faces when you tell them that they will be getting a further contract but having to release a young goalkeeper is awful. When you have spent a few seasons with a goalkeeper week in week out you form a bond and you enjoy the weekly banter with them and for them they dream of becoming a professional so when you break the news to them most obviously get upset and I don't mind admitting I get a massive lump in my throat! I always hope they go away, keep working hard at their game and prove me wrong, I would love nothing more. The games schedule towards the end is also heavy and we have had some great games that Centre of Excellence Director Jeremy (Nutty) Newton has arranged for the lads. Over the course of the season we have played the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Liverpool, Birmingham, Aston Villa along with our normal programme against the likes of Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Oxford Utd etc. In the last few weeks we made the trip to Man Utd's Carrington Training ground for a series of games which was fantastic and this last week the lads got to actually play on Readings Madjeski Stadium which was again a great experience for them.

We also had a trip to Holland where we played a series of games and also visited Feyenoords ground and looked round the stadium and got to watch the First team train which was again great to see, especially watching the goalkeepers go through their routine. Seeing them so close up and seeing their amazing agility routines it shows what standards need to be attained to play at the top level.

Due to school half-term, various Bank Holidays and the Holland trip, members of my goalkeeping school had about 4 weeks off not long ago but were then back in for the first few weeks of May for the final sessions of the season. It's been a long hard season for us all so for the first session back after the mini break there was a certain lethargy about it but after a little pep talk the last two sessions were of a better tempo and we had some fun. The final leg of the season for Steve Hale Goalkeeping School was my May Two Day Course which we ran once again at Cirencester Town over Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th. Last year I had 20 on the course, this time round 28 so I was really pleased with the numbers. Also what was nice was that although it was nice to have some of my regulars on the course I had a big proportion of goalkeepers I had not seen or worked with before and from areas outside of Swindon so that was also really pleasing and refreshing. Credit to all of them, they worked really hard over the two days and we had a few characters on the course who kept all the coaching staff and other goalkeepers entertained! My two assistants, Chippy (James Whitlock) and Grubber (Jason Grubb) did a great job and Swindon Town goalkeeper Phil Smith helped me out by coming in to answer a few questions and give out the prizes which I appreciated. It's great for the young goalkeepers to get a chance to meet someone like Phil, and pick his brains as to what it's like to be a professional. A friend of mine, Andy Crook was in attendance at various times over the two days to take photographs and has done a fantastic job and last night I spent a few hours sifting through hundreds of great pictures and it's a hard task trying to narrow down which ones to use as there are so many good ones! These I hope to have on the gallery page shortly (they are already on my "Steve Hale Goalkeeping School Facebook Page")

I am really pleased with how my goalkeeping school and my two day course has gone this year and a massive amount of credit for that should go to the parents. Throughout the course of the season we have experienced all kinds of weather conditions and yet many a parent has stood outside in those conditions at Ruskin School while their child has been working on their goalkeeping techniques. Also in this tough financial climate they have paid their monthly fees without fail, some have incurred petrol costs while bringing their child in with some from outside Swindon making the trip. So I certainly say a big thank you to all parents and hopefully their child appreciates what their parents do for them in supporting them to improve. These days with so many distractions and home comforts such as X-Box and all sorts of computer games, laptops, I-pods etc many a youngster sits at home getting nowhere near enough the amount of excercise that they should so its great to see all the kids on a Monday evening getting out in the fresh air and being active.

As I said at the start I have four weeks off now before it all starts again for me with pre-season training at Cirencester Town starting on the 28th June!! (it just seems to get earlier and earlier each year!) and then in early July our Swindon Town Centre of Excellence preparations start for the Milk Cup tournament in Ireland at the end of July so i'll be back in working to prepare the goalkeepers for that tournament. I also have a couple of one-to-one sessions booked in early July with a young goalkeeper who lives in Norway but who is over here for a few days so its great that my website has been seen that far afield!

My final thanks go to Pete Matthews who not only setup this website but helps maintain it for me, I am extremely grateful to Pete.

As always I have waffled on but I would like to thank everybody who has visited my website and taken the time to read my ramblings over the course of the season, I hope you are as passionate about goalkeeping as I am.

Have a good Summer!

May Two Day Goalkeeping Course

Following on from the success of the two day goalkeeping course held at Cirencester Town FC last May it is now confirmed that another will be held on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May at the same venue.

Both days will run from 10.00am - 3.00pm and each goalkeeper will receive a certificate and plaque with further prizes up for grabs. Subject to availability on the day Swindon Town's Phil Smith will be in attendance on the Sunday to give out the prizes, answer a few questions and sign autographs / pose for pictures.

SH Ultimate grip goalkeeper gloves will also be available for sale over the two days with sizes 6-9 available at a cost of £20 per pair or two pairs for £35.

This course is based on a first come first served basis so don't delay, click here to download an application form or contact us today for one!

Click here for information sheet

Tel: 07711 275526 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.